15 years later...

I woke up this morning ready to tackle a couple projects that have been on my "to-do" list for way too long.   One of which was- Update the blog.

And so here I sit- staring at the keyboard- wondering where do I begin.

I haven't blogged in months.     Why is that I ask myself? 

Surely- these are curious times we are experiencing both as a nation and as a family. 

  Wouldn't the blog be the place to record the stories lest I never forget.  

  Maybe-maybe not.

15 years ago....to the day- I kid you not...I wrote my first post. 

In my introduction- I mentioned the blog craze, my intention of using the blog as a way to stay in touch with family and friends and I introduce you to my children as Thing 1 and Thing 2- choosing not to use their actual names so as to give them some degree of privacy.  

I'm so grateful I have such a collection of stories recorded here on the internet.  

 I even had a book printed from the earlier posts- when the entries were usually short and contained a funny that one thing or another had said.   These short stories are treasures to me- as my own memory of those earlier days start to blur.   

So-do I continue on....that's the question I've pondered.

And honestly, I'm not really feeling it any more.

The Things aren't kids any more....

at 21

and 23- 

Their stories are theirs to tell-when and how they see fit.

Not that they've ever minded or complained- but now as they take on adult adventures- 

I really don't feel it is my place to write their narrative.   

I'm proud of the adults they are growing up to be

Yet, I  don't feel that the internet is the place for me to express that pride.

So- that leaves my narrative.  

I have a rich life- filled with ups, downs, laughter, and love...

not to mention the occasional flight of fine wine...  

My family is  in a very good spot-

I am proud of the way, especially this summer, 

we have come together to support each others decisions-and-declarations.  

Hubby, as a happy retiree, is finding some peace and  joy while exploring alone in the wilderness- While I miss him when he's gone- I also love the happy-content person he becomes when he's camping.  It's a more than fair trade off in my opinion.  

My circle of friends is incredible!

Our time together is filled with a lots of laughter, an occasional  bit of tough love-and reality checks- and yeah, a fair amount of liquor.   Just what your tribe should include.

Bonus points- when the Tribe includes wonderful spouses with useful skills like being a plumber!

My work life is complete-

 I find the work I do to be rewarding and of value to the population I serve.   

So- I feel like I've come to the perfect spot to pause this 15 year stretch of story telling. 

The first photo shared- shall be the last

THE END

EPILOGUE....

Maybe a few more stories may emerge from time to time.

I mean- I am the proud kitty-grandma to Owen- 

Newest member and reigning 

KING OF THE HOUSE OF CHANG...

who clearly embraces the family culture of...

A Sunday nap

Quality time curled up with a good book

A tasty cocktail or sometimes

A cold brew

and of course- holding still while Martha takes ANOTHER picture...

Until next time...take note of what another Martha had to say...

Summer of Fun-Halfway there

6.7.2020-6.26.2020

SAW

Yikes- so much for me doing a consistent update!  Oh well, a quick glance and I  realize we are at the halfway point of this summer's break.    Time for a little recap I suppose.

We are starting to see COVID restrictions easing up.   Restaurants are opening up, and at least for me, I am starting to venture out a little more each day.      Yes, the concern of COVID remains, and I continue to mask up when running errands, wash my hands often, limit where I go and why, but for my own mental health-it's been good to be back out and about and step out from the fog of fear.

HEARD

Those mountains continue to call out to me- and during this interval, I managed to sneak away for 2 quick camping adventures.  

DID

 For the first excursion, Thing 1 and I met up with Hubby back in the Leadville area.   Our arrival was pushed back due to some weather systems that resulted in this lovely surprise for hubby:

Photo courtesy of Hubby

In the interest of full disclosure, he had seen the forecast and wasn't really surprised but still- June and snow are two images you don't typically associate as being an appropriate pairing (well, unless one lives in the southern hemisphere)

I think we missed the window to get the Things hooked on camping-but I guess that's OK- the RV does get pretty crowded when you add in another adult.  Things go from cozy to crowded rather quickly.   However, Thing 1 is our homebody-and it's good that he sometimes takes a chance and tries something outside of his comfort zone.  With a stretch of days off we convinced him to tag along for a quick mountain adventure.

The genuine smiles suggest he didn't just tolerate this trip, he may have actually enjoyed it?!

On the way home, I pushed my luck in asking him to take a quick little hike with me

 and checking out my favorite spot for retail therapy

Breckenridge- as mountain towns go- isn't necessarily as charming as others- but as I am my mother's daughter, I do enjoy wandering through the gift shops and usually find a little something that just calls out to me-this time it was a sign of the times- a sassy face mask.

The town decided to close down the main drag of the town.  I have to say it was a lot nicer having it be free from cars.   Fingers crossed they continue this even after the fear of COVID subsides.

For the next camping adventure, Hubby and I headed out to an area less than an hour from the house. 

 

Rampart Range is popular with ATV/Dirt bike crowds but has some free dispersed camping that we decided to check out.  

We ended up switching campsites when a larger, flatter, further from the trail spot opened up.   We discovered this twig lean to near the fire pit, and I of course had to add in a 2020 marker.   I'd be curious to see what else gets added to site #14?

This impromptu camping adventure proved to be another peaceful escape from the daily routine here at home.   The butterflies were playing tag during my daily walk (I'm on an 11 day stretch of getting at least 10k steps in-not an easy feat given how hilly this area was) and a few flowers were in bloom (maybe they are weeds, but if so, they sure were pretty)

And the blue skies seemed to stretch forever...

And now that I am home-what next I wonder.   Hoping for some more family moments-and shared laughter-maybe even catch Thing 2 and share a photo of him (he's been busy working doing lawn care, and hanging out with his friends)

Until next time...

Summer of Fun Week 2+

5.27- 6.6.2020

SAW

Routes were planned, reservations had been made, and were it not for COVID-19, Thursday would have been our first day at Banff National Park.

I gotta say- as far as plan B's go- these views were pretty spectacular!

I've driven through this area multiple times in the 23+years we've called CO home but aside from a quick stop for gas or a potty break, I'd never really explored the area.

Leadville- filled with lots of things to see...from murals to trains

And of course...what this area is known for mines...

Both in town...

And not far from town...

HEARD

While the highlight of this area, was to hear the silence of the forest, we decided to play tourist one afternoon and took a ride on the Leadville Train. 

Like other tourist-train rides, the conductor was a fountain of information-both on the history of the region (who knew that Leadville missed out on becoming the state capital by just 2 votes?), the vegetation (who knew that the reason the pine beetle didn't infect this area is because of the higher humidity?) and animal inhabitants (Supposedly the area is popular with deer, elk, and even an occasional mountain lion has been spotted on the route).   

Like our usual luck on such tourist adventures, we spotted nada in terms of animals, but we left very impressed with how hearty one had to be to live in Leadville back in the day.  

And yes...we followed the suggestion to physically distance ourselves..

Oh wait?  You mean it doesn't apply to spouses?  Gee- didn't know that (giggle giggle)

DID

In addition to exploring Leadville- we did a few other things during this first stretch of Summer Vacation

We worked on our selfie skills- 

At least for me- it remains a work in progress

Ahh...much better when you use the technology-

like a timer on a camera

(photo credit-Hubby)

I played a little bit  at the shore....

Because its clearly too chilly at both Turquoise Lake

and 

Clinton Gulch to even consider dipping one's toe in the water..

We enjoyed playing King of the Hill..

For that little blob of white is our unit..

Ah, much better...we had the cul de sac all to ourselves...

Highly recommend Wupperman Campground in Lake City...

Lucky #9....for $15/night!

I went for a ride with the Mr...

where the view from the tub is pretty spectacular...

I caught up with the locals at the gas station..

and spied on the neighbor down the hill from our camp..

Photo credit-Hubby-

Moosey was rather shy and decided to stay 600 feet from us

instead of the suggested 6 ...

And as my time in the mountains came a to a quicker than planned end

(the joys of an HMO-I had to return to  home base on Wednesday for some lab work)

I raised my glass and gave thanks..

That we are blessed to spend time in a place as beautiful and peaceful as this

Until next time...