Now that the wind is gone:

Well, mostly gone most of the time.  We are concerned about reports hail and high winds close to home.  It froze the water supply on Mon here, and connections are spotty and slow at best.  So communications have been at a minimum.

We experienced our first Colorado Chapter Escapees rally last week in Montrose.  It was delightful but very busy.  The wagon masters set the bar very high.  The chapter has just reorganized in the last two years, and the VP is the wagon master.  We ate well thanks to Judy, and were well entertained thanks Judy and Chuck’s efforts.  We bought some stinky cheese at a “natural” type dairy, and experienced some wind and weather.  Since arriving at Blue Mesa we have been cool till the last couple of days.  Several Co Chapter members followed us here, and one couple joined the membership camp ground where we are staying.  So we will have friends to visit and catch up on our travels, with more than one group of individuals. 

Lake City is not far away, and we had a picnic trip today with a very interesting couple with whom I have very distant past connections and common acquaintances.  One of those connections is Maxine Hamilton who went to High school with us up to our junior year when my Dad bought their house and they moved to LaJunta where this couple knew them well, and went to High school with both girls.  Small world.

Lake City is still as charming as ever.  We picnicked there then went to the Southern Style restaurant for pie and coffee.  It was early in the season for most businesses, and many were not yet open, but this cafe is the best on the western slope, and we were glad to revisit it.  We took the cutoff road home across the blue mesa, and were surprised at the lushness of the ranch land up on the mesa, and how beautiful it is in this year of abundant rain and snowfall.  The reservoir is very low, apparently awaiting spring run off, which should be exciting to see this year.   The mountain tops are white with snow, and the rivulets and gullies rushing.  The pastureland is more like swampland at this point. 

Crested Butte (commonly known as Cressy But here) is also charming as ever.  We tried to take the high road in the back way, but Keebler Pass is still closed due to mud and wet road.  We didn’t argue, not looking to get stuck in the mud.  Of course ice cream at the Chocolate Factory was a must after lunch, and the drive down the Gunnison river through Almont is always beautiful, and this year with lots of baby calves to see, elk in the fields, and the budding aspen trees against the blue sky – I must quit bragging on the Co scenery and charm or you all will move here, and we’ve enough folks here already.  We would keep the secret to keep it beautiful. 

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My total hip surgery date is July 23.  The nurse called this morning – working the week end hours to get caught up on her schedule.  The date couldn’t fit better with our travel plans, so now we can move on and get the plans going.   I look forward to having it done and over with.  A year later plus a little on the right one, and I guess it is 90% successful or so.  I have my days, but the left is definitely ready to be better.

Till next time, probably Colorado Springs at the SOITC rally.  That stands for Suite Owners International Travel Club.  As we are no longer Suite owners, (the name of our former 5th wheel RV), it will be our last rally with these folks, but we expect to see the Stohoffers, and others along the way on our travels.  As Cheri Strohoffer says we can’t pick our friends by the kind of RV they own, although it has been a joy thus far.  We have met some amazing folks, and continue to do so.  The life style is not for everyone, but the people we meet along the way have given us much pleasure.  Now it is time for a park dinner (steak or chicken), so must go eat.  What else is new.