CO State Park Adventures - Roxborough SP

I met Val early one morning to check out Roxborough State Park.  It's a lot like Garden on the Gods and Red Rocks but was very nice.  We did the Fountain Valley hike and I think Willow Creek and hiked about 4 miles.  We'll definitely go back but wish dogs were allowed.

CO State Park Adventures - Golden Gate SP

We've made a decision to see more of our state parks and purchased a pass a couple of months ago.  Val and I checked out Golden Gate near her house and did a hike (approx. 2-3 mi.) up to a restored cabin and pond where the past owners had lived until the 1950's. It's a beautiful park and so close.  It's like another world just off the road between Denver and Boulder. 

Another Fav

I absolutely love this cast iron pot.  For years I have wanted Le Creuset but would not allow myself to spend the money.  Last year one of the local grocery stores was having a sale on Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Ovens and I got one.  It's the first pot I choose when cooking anything and everything turns out perfectly (chicken marsala, risotto, soups, etc.)  It's easy to clean ( I do clean it immediately after use and make sure it is perfectly dry).  Also I've read that cast iron will scratch granite so I'm very careful about that.  Most of the time I even leave it out because I love the cheery color.  An added plus is that Lodge is an American company and is based in Tennessee.  Love it!

Crested Butte Weekend 9/15

We finally made a trip to Crested Butte to spend some time with Mere and Tim.  This time we stayed at their house and really enjoyed ourselves.  We went on 4 hikes, 2 of which we hadn't done before.  We hiked along the creek and past the Pioneer Guest Cabins (we had previously done this one in the winter).  The second day we took a 4.5 mi. hike up road from CB South (Walrod Cutoff).  That afternoon Mere and Tim borrowed a friend's raft and we rafted the lower end of the Taylor River and floated the Gunnison River.  It was lots of fun and the rapids weren't that big so I felt no real danger.  Of course the beers and wine and cheese stop in Almont may have helped.  We took a change of clothes in the dry bag and pulled out at Garlic Mike's for dinner.  Yes, we did a float and dine!  Tim was going out in the early morn and eve to try to get an elk via bow.  We also took Clyde for a hike on the Lower Loop and to the Beaver Ponds which we hadn't done before.  The aspens were in full color and were beautiful.  Thanks again Mere and Tim!

Dorothy Ann turns 90!!!!

Grandma turned 90 on 8/25/2015.  We were so glad she decided to stay in Colorado until after her birthday.
More people were able to celebrate with her.  Lisa came into town the weekend before her birthday and we took Gma on the Royal Gorge train.  It was and fun trip and she has always loved trains.  On Saturday we prepared for the party which was on Sunday.  She enjoyed some edible arrangements, had a Persian meal (one of her favs too), got a pedicure, had brunch at the Wisdom Tea House, and had a fun party.  She was the queen for the day and we played a Gma trivia game, had a taco bar, and a pinata (made by Val and Eric). She enjoyed her 'Birthday Memory Book" with card, letters, and pictures.  She chose to have Key Lime Pie for dessert and we also had a small cake.  She sure enjoyed herself even though she had said she didn't really want a party.

Local Celebrity Alert

I had heard during the last Olympics that Jason Brown trains in Monument and attends college in Colorado Springs and already knew that Gma really enjoys watching ice skating and ice dancing.  Our local ice rink is doing very well and about 6 kids are training there instead of at the Broadmoor.  Gma and I went to see the end of the summer exhibition before she returned home to Ohio.  She was thrilled.  Jason only skated one routine but it was fun to watch.