Chapter 5-From there to here…

Pour yourself a pint...

Or maybe a fruity cocktail is more your jam..

Too early you say?

Then stick with the tried and true cafe Americano…

And join me as I spin a tale or two of how we got from there (Fort Lauderdale) 

To Here…

Rural Casa de Iketke..

Sitting high on the hill outside of Hondarribia..

No worries…I’ll wait while you google it.. 

It all started back in November when I proposed that …“We could crash J &L’s planned transatlantic cruise to Europe in the Spring”.   Hubby- preferring not to fly-but always open to the idea of traveling overseas as long as it’s during the off season- said OK.

The text was sent and we soon received a reply with a happy update- they were no longer planning to cruise in the spring- as they were expecting their first grandchild.   

But- that didn’t deter me (at least too much)…instead of tagging along- we could and would craft our own adventure.

Because- well, nobody will ever dispute that crafting is something I can do with great gusto.

I phoned a friend-D-

 who has over 40 cruises under her belt and quizzed her on the who-what-where-when of all things cruising.

 Before long, Hubby and I had agreed on a ship…

And picked out our cabin..

6183 for future reference..

And were just about ready to set sail…

With fabulous ports of call

BERMUDA…

FALMOUTH ENGLAND

In Cornwall County..

WEYMOUTH-

In the Dorset County 

LE HAVRE

Which really serves as a launching point for tourists 

hoping to explore either Normandy (us) or Paris (them-crazy folks)

Our last port call would be 

DOVER

For it would be here at dawn’s first light…

That the captain would announce

You have reached your destination..

Now get off the boat..

OK….that’s not really what he would say…but it would be where the sea faring portion of this adventure would  came to an end and we would start to transition from that sea travel to land exploration…

Stay tuned for more tales from afar…as I share my take on this true trip of a life time..

As always, if you seek a more “real time” read …that can be found on Hubby’s blog.

Chapter 4- Springing forward.

The season of Spring is upon us!

Let’s celebrate…

I’d hoped to blog more than once a month- but it seems my established habit remains.  Oh well- I do find it helps with the fading memory to at least pause at the end of each month and reflect on what all I did.

Judging from the camera roll on my phone- I didn’t do much…as it is filled with screen shots, memes, cat pictures and not much else.   

What it doesn’t show is that this month- I

• Celebrated some birthdays- 
• There was a tea party in  Golden to celebrate Mrs. W.  While  it was a lovely day, with wonderful company and tasty tea in the end- I found it a tad pricey compared to other tea houses we’ve enjoyed.
• There was a quiet conversation with Mrs. M- celebrating her change in status to Medicare recipient as she too has a March birthday.  
• There was a chatty phone call with my sister-who also has a March birthday.
• And finally- a sweet celebration for Mrs. Y- marking a milestone year that I too will acknowledge later this summer.   In doing the math- we realize that we’ve been friends for just shy of 40 years.   Pretty crazy stuff for sure.  

• We first met during a summer military training while we were both still in Nursing school.  Our paths took us in different directions until we both landed in CO in the mid-to-late 1990s, and a mutual friend helped us reconnect.   Again- some drifting in and out- as her kids and our Things are slightly off set age wise.  We’ve reconnected now that we are both retired and loving it…and it was a true honor to be included in the family dinner.

Besides birthdays- there was the typical activities of a retiree- meeting friends for the Thursday Special at Village Inn ($5 for the 2-2-2, yeah baby), trips to local rec center for some indoor walking and lazy river stretching.   I also got caught up on all things medical- with trips to the lab, the pharmacy, my routine visit with my rheumatologist and a quick trip to the dermatologist after said rheumatologist decided she didn’t like the look of a mole.  That would turn out to be nothing of concern- as I suspect my doc of Eastern European descent isn’t familiar with how us fair haired Vikings age (it’s just a sun spot transitioning).  Tried-and loved-something new this month by attending 2 very different programs offered by our local library.  One was a living history presentation on the life of Maria Von Trap and the other was an author visit.  The price was right (free), company was excellent and I appreciated how it helped exercise my brain if just for a few hours.   I read some books, binged on some TV (Yellowstone- about time Beth took care of things!), spring cleaned just enough for my “good enough” mindset  and but of course- enjoyed a nap or two.

Ah- the life of a retiree may not be glamorous but it is indeed filled with many moments of joy!

Oh wait- Hold that thought..

Stay tuned…as glamour may be just around the corner..

With joy continuing on this journey we call life..

 

Chapter 3-On the Border

I recently read a quote that described February as "the border between winter and spring".   And it made me smile.   Yep- that pretty much sums up life for me this month.  

It's been a little less than a month since this nice gentleman that I call Hubby dropped me off at the airport in Tucson and I flew home.  I will openly admit that, while I thoroughly enjoy quality time with him, after about 3 weeks- the desert landscape grows tiresome and I am ready to head back to my home base.  That and 2 full showers in 3 weeks- well- that's about when I say Uff Da- send me home.

I kicked off the month with a trip to the local community theatre-

Where we discovered- yes- it is possible to be "too close"

the pit orchestra overpowered our senses...but the performance was still worth the cost of admission

And while there really isn't much else on the camera roll that is worthy of sharing here- I've had a pleasant month here in the border area.  I've binged on  shows and sourdough bread.  I've shoveled snow and shot the breeze with friends.  I've read a bit and yes, napped a bit.   I've even made it to the gym on a consistent basis.  All in all- a very good month indeed.  

But now it's time I get my act together and finish up a few tasks here in the Hen Den.   My new mantra shall be...

 "You can't reach for anything new when your hands are still full of yesterday's junk".     

Junk?   Are you calling this cutie junk?

Or this one?

Yes- yes I am...it's time to let go...and move out this border zone and into a new chapter

one filled with new adventures and experiences...

Until next time...

Be at peace with where you are

Chapter 2- A stroll down memory lane

 

In the late 1960s, my parents packed up their covered wagon and headed west- to the college town in the desert- Tucson.   It would be here at the University of AZ that my dad would attend grad school- and my sister and I would start to collect a host of memories related to our time in the desert.

I’ve been to Arizona countless times as an adult- but for whatever reason- a visit to Tucson hadn’t happened.  Until now!

There are two Tucson places that hold special places in my bank of memories- and I am grateful we were able to visit them both this past week.  

First would be the “mission”.  Officially named San Xavier del Bac mission- it’s located on the southern end of town.   Founded in 1700 by Father Kino- the building itself was completed in the late 1880s.  What makes this mission unique compared to others located throughout the southwest- is that this mission has a distinctive European appearance to the structure.  I found that to be such a stark contrast to the area surrounding the mission- a reservation for the Tohono O’odham People (what I grew up calling the Papago nation).

As a kid- we would come here often.  Not that we were catholic- but I think my parents appreciated the mission for its historical value, and there were always vendors selling Native American crafts that my parents both enjoyed.   My memory- was that of buying Indian fry bread!   They still sell fry bread- just not on the day we were visiting (Sheesh- first no Hatch burgers in Hatch, NM and now no fry bread at the mission).  But alas- the journey must go on-

The next stop on this memory lane adventure- would be at this little gallery. 

 De Grazia Gallery in the sun-located in the Catalina foothills

I remember coming to this place as a kid- I even have a slight recollection of actually seeing the artist at his studio.   Yet more than the studio visits- the lingering memory is how my parents, particularly my mom, became collectors of his art.   Through the years- my childhood home would feature DeGrazia magnets, ceramic bells, decorative plates, stitchery patterns and of course prints.   I’m guessing that these were all reproductions of his work- I highly doubt my parents could afford the real deal even at 1970s prices.     Or at least that’s the hope- can you imagine if we put the real deal out on the Estate sale?  YIKES!

Through my adult lens- I appreciate how this artist paid tribute the the people of Arizona

With whimsy 

And nature tossed in for inspiration

Forever in my bank of memories- the sweetness of these children..

It is often said- that we travel down memory lane in hopes of seeing those we love.   Without a doubt- during these two excursions- I felt the presence of my parents- I recalled that while life was not always easy for my folks, they showed my sister and I the joy that comes with seeking new adventures!

speaking of new adventures- our time here in Tucson would not just be me tripping down memory lane-

We would also discover new things…

From the deliciousness that is “tableside” guacamole..

To the tart delight of a Prickly Pear Margarita..

To a side car ride thru the forest of saguaro cacti

To the joy of naming cacti..

We decided this was the Squabbling couple

And finally- no trip to the land of the senior citizens is complete without a little side stop at the thrift shop..

Where yes- I scored a sweet deal on a new-to-me pair of jeans

(Because clearly- I didn’t pack enough long pants-)

Until next time…

Chapter 1- Snowbirds take flight

 

Earlier this month- we loaded up the covered wagon and hit 

the snow-dusted trail..

Heading west-

We hoped to find warmer temps and solitude…

Solitude was easily found…

Reminder to future self- The sun sets earlier in January-so the “stop for the day by 3pm” rule  must never be challenged!  

Of sure, some folks consider arriving after dark all part of the adventure.  We are not “some folks”. Arriving after dark in an unknown location- beyond our threshold for excitement and adventure.  We lucked out this time- next time- nope- nada-remember- 3pm stop time in winter is a hard-and-fast travel day rule!

The warmer temps would take awhile to locate.

We tried to warm up at least our taste buds in Hatch, New Mexico..

But alas- the iconic Sparky’s takes Mondays off..

No Hatch Chili Burgers for us…

(Which is just as well- can you imagine the sodium count in such a treat?)

Ahh…finally…we found some warmth..

In the form of a natural hot springs at Hot Well Dunes

Speaking of found…we found some curious characters in the early days of this adventure..

There was Camp Host #1..

(Photo credit- Hubby)

While I was able to spot Javier the Javelina, I wasn’t quick enough to snap my own pic.

And camp host #2…most curious and not at all interested in staying with the herd…

And let’s not forget- 

Our favorite camping pals-now Lyft drivers..Lori And Chris!

They drove down from Meadview to join us for the first half of my AZ adventure.  While we always enjoy their company- we really appreciated that they brought a suitable vehicle for exploring- as we were traveling this time with just the side car as our “explore the area” vehicle.

Thank you “Sherman”…you were a very welcome addition to our time with the Zs!

First stop- Chiricahua National Monument- so I could collect my passport stamp…and explore the area.

The owners of this ranch- were the driving force behind having this area designated as a national monument. 

While hard to capture the park- driving in a canyon, looking up…

I really felt like we were in UT instead of SE Arizona.

Happiness is…when the wind blows just right..

The hair looks good and the jacket collars (yes, I had on 3 layers) cover my extra chins..

Next stop would be the wild western town of Tombstone…

Where their motto of “the town too tough to die” reminded us 

That there remains a strong market for cheesy vaudeville style entertainment..

A shoot out at the OK corral- offered three times a day.

Worth the cost of admission?  Maybe-but hey- it was a good way to support the local community without adding to the clutter factor by buying a trinket.

We would make one more  side excursion with the Zastrows…

A trip to Bisbee…

Hubby’s blog features the good pictures- mine just focuses on the things that caught my eye..

From a bakery with A+ curb appeal-and 5 star buttery treats for purchase…

And she wonder’s why her pants are fitting snuggly?!

To this most curious platter-

If there are ribs on that plate- I’m skipping dinner!

And with that- I will wrap up this entry!   My grandparents and my dad both spent winters in AZ during their retirement years.    I can certainly see the appeal!

Until next time-