Rocky Mountain High

I am writing from the deck of the condo we have taken over. We are in Estes Park, Colorado for a little vacation.

There's the view we have. 

There is lots to update so sit back, shut up and read on.

We Flew out of Spokane bright and early on Friday and flew to Denver where we rented a car and met up with Phil and Margaret, Susan's relative through sisterness.

We drove from Denver to Evergreen, CO where we were to go to a concert of the Nadas, a band the Phil and Margaret's son Neal plays in.

Along the way to Evergreen, we stopped for a tour at Margaret Brown's house, better known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown. From there we ventured to see the grave of Buffalo Bill Cody.

We finally arrived in Evergreen and split up from Phil and Marg as they went to their lodging and we searched for the Elk Run B&B.

We all reconvened at the Little Bear, the divey little bar where the concert was. We had some dinner and some drinks and enjoyed a great concert where most of the people knew all the lyrics to the songs of this native Iowa band.

On Saturday, we took a tour of a local estate called the Hiwan Ranch. It was homesteaded before the turn of the last century and over the years, what started out as a barn became this beautiful, extensive log home. The tours lasted about half an hour but our tour guide gave us about an hour and a half. We asked lots of questions. From there, we took the drive to Estes Park. It was about a two hour ordeal over mountain passes and winding roads and horrible Colorado traffic.

When we got here, and discovered the housing Phil had secured for us, we were all quite pleased. It's a really nice, modern condo with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a hot tub, and a lovely kitchen and living room.

The condo is located on the grounds of Mary Lake Lodge and resort. The main building is over 100 years old and is quite striking. We had dinner there last night.

Susan and I slept in today, waking at 9 to find we were all alone. Phil and Margaret went to church in town and then we connected with them at the Stanley Hotel. The Stanley is best known for it's starring role in "The Shining", the one from the 80's with Jack Nicholson, not the piece of crap they made recently for television.

That was also very nice.

That brings us pretty much up to date. We have just returned from a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. I would imagine we went about three miles and climbed about two or three hundred feet above the 9,520 foot starting point. 

I was a little concerned because of the altitude. I'm definitely feeling it as I walk around. It sure would be nice to be in shape.

Catching up

If I'm not doing a good job of keeping things current, it's because I have a life to lead and precious little time to devote typing away here in the sweltering hot box that is this house. 

We are well into a week of 90 degree days. It is hot, baby!

With my weather complaint out of the way, as well as my semi-hapless apology for not keeping up, let's get caught up on what's been happening.

The Solstice Party went off without a hitch. We figured we were visited by about 40 people throughout the course of the evening. There was a ton of food, a ton of libations and frivolity and fun prevailed throughout the night. I think I was even in bed before 3...with the house basically cleaned up.

My sister, Stacey was in town from California and spent most of the night taking requests on the piano.

Last weekend, we were visited by my pal Arn-Dawg and his family as they conduct their whirl-wind tour of the Pacific Northwest. Arnie and his daughter Rebecca drove from San Fran via Bend, Oregon. Arnie's wife Haley joined us the next day when she flew in and spent a few days with us before venturing up to Priest Lake for a week up there. They had a great week of above average temperatures so I'm sure they enjoyed themselves. From Priest, they head to Yellowstone and more camping.

While here, I learned about Soccer because Arnie is a Soccer fan and the World Cup is going on. We went out to Cd'A to spend the day with another childhood pal, Robba and his clan. It was a great Saturday on the water.

Now we are back to normal here in Spokane but weathering very hot days. It's supposed to get over 100 on Sunday.

I attended two funerals today. The first was for our neighbor, Margie Arndt. She discovered a large tumor on her liver back in May and she died July 2nd. That was a tough one but I'm glad she was able to get out of the hospital and die at home. I'm also glad it happened quickly for her.

The second was for Fred Utter, the father of my friend Rick. Fred was 84 and like Margie, knew the end was coming and made a deliberate decision to allow it to happen. It was a very nice service and I went with Mom. We saw lots of people there that we had not seen in forever.

That's the great thing about funerals. The dead bring the living together.