Colorado and Utah Bound!

On August 27, we loaded the car, and headed out early in the morning for Colorado and Utah. We had a long drive the first day, across Texas and spent the night in Dumas, Texas in the Texas Panhandle. Back on the road the next morning we soon crossed into New Mexico, enjoying a yummy lunch in Taos at Orlando's. We had some excitement as we got delayed by a film crew shooting a movie....The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Arriving in Durango at Country Sunshine B & B we were warmly greeted by old friends, Walter and Jodi. It was great to be back and they began to spoil us as usual, especially Walter with his fantastic breakfast, warm cookies, and desserts at night. Jodi had booked our Durango/Silverton train tickets and we caught the train at Rockwood the next morning after Walter's wonderful breakfast. The weather was great and much warmer than our previous trip. Arriving in Silverton we walked over to Handlebars for lunch, then we walked around Silverton taking photos. I made sure to get a "After" photo of Dale with the wooden cowboy to compare with a previous pre-knee surgery photo I had taken of him in 2009. Soon it was time to board the train and return to Rockwood. We stopped in Hermosa and picked up a Calzone and salad to take back to the B&B for dinner on the porch. A glass of wine and a soak in the hot tub ended the day. The next day we booked a half-day Animas River float....even though the river was low we enjoyed an afternoon on the river, and our guide was very good...he even endured Dale's financial advice. Dinner that night was at Zia Tagueria in Durango...yummy Fish Tacos. Walter put on a show that evening serving all the guest Bananas Foster over ice cream....awesome! Our three night stay completed we packed and said our goodbyes heading onward and upward to Ouray. The drive up the million dollar highway provided breathtaking views and lots of photo opportunities. Arriving in Ouray we stopped to have a picnic lunch in a park....but the rain forced our picnic to be in the car. Spangler House B&B was our next stop and we checked in and unpacked. I had a surprise in store for Dale and told him I was taking him out for steaks at the Outlaw Restaurant for his birthday, which was the next day. Dinner was good and we were stuffed! I gave Dale his birthday card with his surprise...an all day jeep tour with San Juan Tours the next day. After a soak in the hot tub, we turned in early since we had to be up early the next morning for our tour. I had requested a driver called "Wild Bill"...little did I know he was 85 years old and quite the character...a Texas boy to boot. We had 3 other folks on the tour and off we went with "Wild Bill" at the wheel over Black Bear Pass to Telluride. OMG....what a ride it was...the road better known as a "Goat Trail" was narrow and very steep with numerous switchbacks...all which Bill handled like a pro! We had a few sprinkles and then we had a few minutes of hail on top of the pass. Dale loved Bill, who was an old WWII veteran and they really bonded. Arriving in Telluride Bill dropped us off for lunch at the Floradora Saloon, where the owner had a table ready for us. Bill joined us after he parked the jeep...more tall tales and stories kept us laughing with lunch. Back on the road we were headed across Imogene Pass at 13,114 ft., a very rough ride with what seemed like large boulders in the road...but Bill handled it like the skilled driver he was. We arrived back in Ouray about 5:30 p.m.....just in time for Happy Hour Bill said! It was a great day, Dale loved it and we had a fantastic time with Bill. The next day we decided to visit the Ouray Hot Springs for a long soak in the hot water. Since it was a weekend it was kind of crowded but we enjoyed our soak until lightning forced us out. After walking up and down the main drag we decided to have dinner that night was at O'Brien's Pub & Grill. Our stay ended we packed and prepared to leave the next morning for Grand Junction. The drive to Grand Junction was pretty bleak, not much to see in this arid, dry part of Colorado....Grand Junction sprawls across the Grand Valley and is an oasis. The Grand Mesa in one direction and the Colorado National Monument in the other. Sam and Judy were waiting for us at Bookcliffs B&B and welcomed us into their home. WE enjoyed visiting with them and listening to how they had made their home into a B&B. After breakfast the next morning we drove out to the Gateway Car Museum. We were lucky, that an elderly gentleman took us under his wing and showed us each vehicle...complete with the history of the vehicle. It sure did make our time at the museum special, and we got to see the latest purchase...a Oldsmobile F88 that they paid 3.2 million dollars for....WOW! After a picnic lunch on the way back we drove over the Grand Mesa, a beautiful landscape with Aspens already displaying their fall colors and home to more than 300 lakes. A stop in Palisades, Colorado the home of the famous peaches and lots of vineyards ended the day. Our final day in Grand Junction was spent with a drive out to the Colorado National Monument. A breathtaking drive with lots to see and lots of photos to take! We made another stop in Palisades to tour the orchards, vineyards, and wineries....plus pick up a few more goodies. Saying our goodbyes we were on the road again to Utah. We picked a drive to Moab along the river and were rewarded with a beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. We arrived at the Mayor's House B&B and were greeted by Dave...he quickly showed us around the place and we unpacked. The B&B had a large heated pool and an inviting hot tub with a beautiful red rock backdrop. After a yummy breakfast the next morning fixed by Carey, we drove out to Arches National Park. I've never seen so many red rocks....arches, windows, towers, plus other formations Mother Nature has carved out. I got some great photos and even attempted to get a photo of me holding a giant boulder...like Hercules! Dinner that night was Mexican food and then a swim and soak. After enjoying breakfast the next morning with all the guest, we packed up again and left for Colorado. The drive to Pagosa Springs took us by Mesa Verde, but we decided to skip it this trip and went on to Mancos for lunch at the Absolute Bakery & Cafe...a very good choice! Arriving back in Pagosa Springs we stopped at the grocery store for a few items, then headed out to our cabin at the Fireside Inn. Our cabin was so cute, we loved it. Relaxing down by the river was so peaceful and a great spot for a glass of wine. Driving back into town we went in search of the "Balloon Glow" that was taking place in the park. It was fun to see them fill the balloons and the "Glow" was very pretty after dark...got some good photos. Up early, early the next morning, temperature was about 39 degrees....5:30 am to be exact, we were off to find the Colorfest Hot Air Balloon Rally launch. Dale followed some balloon trucks and trailers and got us a good spot for the launch. Soon 17 ballons were in the air...OMG what a site!!! The setting was beautiful...the greens of a golf course, a small lake, the mountains in the distance, and lots of green pine trees. I was going crazy trying to get pictures with all three of my cameras. We even followed two ballons and saw them touch down and let the air out of the balloon....it was great! The next day we planned to visit the Pagosa Hot Springs after a yummy pizza for lunch. The Springs were not crowded, the weather was perfect and we had a relaxing last day in Colorado. We ended the day down by the river with a glass of wine....a perfect ending to a wonderful trip. Up early, we were off to Fort Stockton, Texas...the first leg of our trip home. It was a long day of driving and we pulled into the motel about 6 pm. After a good nights sleep we were back on the road and headed home to Victoria. Safely we arrived home after over a 3,200 mile trip. Dale had done a great job of "Driving Miss Daisy" ...that is what he likes to call our road trips. Colorado was beautiful, the temperatures were a welcome relief after our hot Texas summer. The Bed and Breakfasts were all different and unique....we saw many things, made new friends, and had a GREAT time! We are truly blessed to have experienced such a wonderful trip!

Aggressor Belize Dive Trip

COUNTDOWN CLOCK WEBSITE

Chillaxing on the Comal!

Met up with Karen and we took off for our float trip on the Guadalupe River.  Arriving at our destination, Karen immediately noticed how low the river looked and how many rocks were exposed.  Stopping in at the tube rental place, they told us it would be a 6-7 hour float, with lots of butt dragging and rock bumping.  Older and wiser we decided to change our plans and we went back to New Braunfels to float the Comal River.  After a short adventure trying to find Texas Tubes with the GPS on my i Phone and involving a train...we arrived.  Rented tubes, stocked up our ice chest with goodies and we slipped into the refreshing cool water of the Comal for a 2 1/2 float.  The water was clear and cool with a flow that meant no paddling! No butt dragging this trip, although I did hit a large boulder coming out of one of the chutes.  We stopped   once for a snack break.  Getting out at the Last Exit and we climbed aboard our shuttle for a trip back to Texas Tubes.  We decided to try it again and did another 2 1/2 hour float....which seemed to go faster than the first.


After a quick shower and dry clothes it was time for some Texas BBQ at Cooper's.....brisket, sausage, pork ribs, pinto beans, potato salad and gallons of ice tea was just what we needed.  Stuffed we skipped the fruit cobbler dessert!  It was great CHILLAXING with my friend, floating along under the big Cypress trees that lined the bank.

Shrimp Flight!

On a mission, we took off for Port Aransas early on Friday morning for lunch at Beach Station Street Grill. Flying the Texas coast, the Gulf was green and flying the beach was interesting. Grabbing the trolley we made a stop at the beach for some "Sand Between My Toes" time, then back on the trolley to lunch....YUM! Our stomachs full we jumped back on the trolley for a ride back to the airport and a flight home at about 3,500 feet.

The Ladies Do Cozumel

I was the first to arrive in Cozumel and grabbed a taxi to Scuba Club Cozumel to await the other members of the Lady Go Divers group.  As I was enjoying lunch my roomie, Amy walked in and joined me for lunch.  Soon our fearless leader, Patty arrived and we all got checked in to our fourth floor rooms with awesome views of the Caribbean.  Patty also brought news that Beth, Amelia, Cheryl, and Pat were delayed because their flight was cancelled and would arrive the next day.  We got unpacked, checked into the dive shop and stored our gear in lockers by the dive shop.  We were assigned to Scuba II, a smaller boat for the week with two other couples.  Since the gang wasn't all together we decided to just eat at the resort and turn in early.
Up the next morning we enjoyed breakfast and prepared for our first dives......Manuel was to be our DM for the week.  Patty requested two shallow dives and it was great to be back in the water enjoying drift dives. Lunch was ready when we got back and then we waited for the rest of the gang to arrive.


Sunday night we grabbed a taxi and went to town to have dinner at Casa Dennis....it was hot and stuffy around the square and a group of fire dancers behind Cheryl and Pat really heated things up.  We walked around the square, watched the locals dance in the square and then headed back to Scuba Club Cozumel.  The coffee klatch on the deck each morning, thanks to Mr. Mario was a perfect start to the day. With all Lady Go Divers accounted for we enjoyed breakfast and loaded our gear for two great dives.  Janet and Eric from California and Tommy and D.J. from Tyler were a great addition to our boat for the week.  We did enjoy jumping off the top deck of the boat, synchronized swimming during our surface interval and a fish water gun fight with photos to document the event.  Dinner that night was at La Mission were Amelia worked her charms and got us some delicious free flan and a liquor shots. With big sombreros atop our heads we had pictures taken that turned out great.....a real keepsake.  Cheryl ordered the Mexican coffee which was quite a production.


Diving the next day, we enjoyed some very photogenic turtles, nice lobsters and lots of fish.  We did manage to lose our divemaster, but never fear Miss Patty kept the group together and we safely surfaced even though her safety sausage was a little limp!  Especias was our choice for dinner, since Gayla was delivering batteries to Adrian.  We did meet a (Rich)Texan, John that had owed a dive shop in Waco and he bought a red long stem rose for all of us.  Adrian was his usually charming self and all the gals enjoyed meeting him.  Dinner was great and the music of a young man playing a guitar provided an enjoyable evening for all.  Adrian wouldn't let us leave without Tequila shots for all and some funny pictures with a giant tequila bottle.  Diving the next day, our boat had engine problems and we were loaded onto another big boat with other divers from the resort....not as much fun as our group.  Casa Mission provided wonderful ambiance with awesome food surrounded by beautiful gardens.  Dinner was very relaxing, with lots of laughs and interesting conversation.  Our last day of diving was the Devil's Throat.....a deeper dive into a underwater cave.  With flashlights in hand we entered the opening at about 90 feet winding our way around, going up and down deeper before finally exiting at about 125 feet.....a feather in our cap!  The last dive of the week was a long shallow dive with lots to see, including a nurse shark sleeping under a over hang.  The piece de resistance was a small group of pilot whales that we spotted on our way back to the resort....a great experience.  During the Happy Hour of wine, cheese and crackers in Patty's room Cheryl surprised us with beautiful gifts of pashminas....thanks Cheryl.  Patty as usual had little surprise gifts each day for us.....Thanks Patty!  Guido's was the spot for our dinner and we invited our divemaster, Manuel to join us.  The food was great, but a rain shower forced us to go inside which was very loud.  Our final day was spent relaxing, shopping, and lounging at the beach at the Monkey Bar.....plus we began the packing process.  Dinner at Primo's was a perfect ending to a perfect trip with the ladies of Lady Go Divers.  A breathtaking view high above Cozumel with great food and drinks were enjoyed by all.  Amelia was served a large piece of Tiramisu after we sang Happy Birthday to her, which we all enjoyed.
After we strolled back to the resort we all grabbed a hammock down by the water to relax, talk, and laugh.
The week had flown by, new friends were made, stories were shared, and a great time with a group of amazing women was enjoyed by all.  Talk and plans of our next trip were already discussed.  As we each left the resort and headed to the airport our hearts were filled with bonds of sisterhood and friendship!

Fish Pics in Cozumel

Fluttering Around!

Working in my flowerbed yesterday afternoon, this silly butterfly just seemed to be yelling out "Take my Picture".....so I grabbed my camera and tried to capture him flying between the lantana and zinnas.  He didn't seem to be bothered by me and posed for his photos.  I thought this was the best pic.