At Donner Lake
After spending a fabulous few days in Reno, NV, I met my sister and mom at Donner Lake, California. We spent the day kayaking and soaking in the sunshine lakeside. Our reservation was messed up so we ended up in this large two level room where we each had our own bed and probably could have housed a boy scout troop as well! Pretty wonderful. Continue reading
I have spent a lot of time with family on this leg of the trip. Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota were all speckled with visits and catching up. I am blessed with a colorful heritage that I was born into and family that I married into. Seeing them all within a few months time has been enriching and eye-opening. My roots shape who I am, like it or not.
Phyllis, my mother-in-law
I knew I was a long way from home when I passed a pickup truck filled with carcasses. The enormous elk horns were sticking way over the side and the driver had to keep far to the right of the lane in order not to skewer something. It rather sickened me to see the beautiful head distorted at a weird angle and the pile-o-antlers in the white truck bed. Continue reading
I need to get back to trusting my intuition. I seem to be missing it by seconds or hours and being disappointed. I should have stayed in Montrose one more night and enjoyed the company of my new friends at the fair and rodeo rather than rushing off to Moab, UT. Continue reading
“What’s the difference between a National Monument and a National Park?” was my first question to the ranger at the Visitor’s Center. Her reply… “A monument is designated by the President and a park is voted in by Congress.” Simple. President Taft established the Colorado National Monument in 1911. It is gorgeous. I was on my way to Moab from Montrose, sadly leaving the cute cowboy behind on the eve of the weekend rodeo. He recommended a visit to the Colorado National Monument, a short veering off the path and it was well worth the leisurely meander. Continue reading
I think this may just be the longest I have gone without writing a post. I have been busy spending time with my daughters and blogging has been put on the long list of things to do. I do miss sharing and I have a few posts started just not ready to go yet! So for those of you that keep up with my journey, I wanted to say that I am here, hold on, I’ll get a post to you soon! I have some more great people to introduce you to and a couple more National Parks for you to explore.
Meandering Lori
(photo courtesy of C.C.)
I love Colorado. The mountains, the waterfalls, the small towns, the blue skies, and driving around a corner and seeing wildly beautiful rock formations. I stopped in Ouray, CO, an adorable town known for its hot springs, and had lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking a darling main street. It also looked out upon a bridge high in the cliffs and in asking about it, I found out that it overlooked Box Canyon Falls. Continue reading
The town of Aspen is a mix of upper crust stores, quaint brick public walkways with little miniature brooks running through them, bookstores, restaurants, churches, and firetrucks painted with glossy flowers looking like something from the 1960’s. It is eclectic, and charming. A place I would love to call home someday. Continue reading
Don’t lie, you’ve got it all figured out
That smile, has got me spinnin’ around
Don’t even try actin’ like it ain’t no thing
Cause I can see you move a little closer, closer
…and I got in my car, turned it on, and yep, “Don’t Ya” was playing on my radio. This happens to me a lot, like I’m psychic or something. But it confirmed that today was going to be a good day.
The Maroon Bells
Aspen, CO
Aspen is a life to live
See how much there is to give See how strongly you believe See how much you may receive (John Denver) I have always dreamed of going to Aspen, Colorado. Stories of mountain air and winter magic from John Denver songs have beckoned to me for years. And here I am finally, in the dead of summer, dealing with altitude sickness (see previous post). I was a bit worried it wouldn’t come up to my sentimental expectations. The landscape on the way reminded me of the Nevada high desert with sagebrush and scruff pine. But as I pulled into my hotel I was excited to see tall pines and high mountains all around. It was as beautiful as I had always imagined. Continue reading
meanderest 