Autumn in Colorado

     The colors did not disappoint us.  It was truly a blessing to listen to my ladies oohing and ahhing at the most beautiful array of colors.  The only one who oohed and ahhhed more was the driver.  The 2 1/2 hour drive became closer to 3 1/2 because the driver(me) had to stop and take more pictures.  We would come around a corner or over a hill and voila -splashes of color - meadows of yellow and green and then just for Aunt Bernice there would be the reds too.  She asked if there was anyway we could get her some leaves.  I take care of my ladies and just outside of Fairplay we found our red leaves.  Hopefully this video will give you a glimpse of the beauty. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTU6ELRmKlQ
We ended our trip with our third trip to the Golden Arches.  We never seen to tire of the creamy ice cream cones and the fact they are a meager $.59 addsto the fun.

You know I always marvel at our trips.  Our original plan was to stay in Alamosa.  For some reason the hotels with rooms that would accomodate 6 people were already full.  Thursday as we arrived in Salida at 7:00 we were glad that was our stopping point.  Friday after driving down to San Luis, I have to say we were very thankful we weren't staying in Alamosa.  It would have been a long trip on Thursday and another long day Saturday.  We have learned to listen to that "still small voice" and believe we are being directed by a GOD who loves us and every trip proves it's true. 

September is our third anniversay for "Widows Gone Wild".  Never in all my wildest dreams would I have imagined the what was in store for us when it became time to leave my fulltime job to help care for Moma.  Ignoring the nudging would have meant I would have missed the dance and as the song goes "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."  

When the opportunity arises make sure you don't miss the dance.............................. 

The Best laid plans of mice and men?

So our ultimate goal was to visit "The Stations of the Cross in San Luis." The drive is beautiful and long. My widows were so excited to see them.  We arrived in San Luis - the oldest town in Colorado and followed the signs.  The Stations ended up being up a hill with stairs and not handicapped accessible.  Hummm you would think whoever planned this trip (me) would have thought about that.  But you know our motto - "It's not so much the destination but the company we keep." So what if we didn't see the Stations.  We got to see the oldest town in Colorado. 

The Sand Dunes did not disappoint anyone.  It's just so amazing to look at these Dunes and realize the magnitude.  35 square miles.  The tallest dune is 750'.  The sand in one place is over 350' deep. Awesome.

The coolest thing though was the wheels they had for my Mom. We could take her out onto the Dunes.  We didn't get very far.  It's hard to walk on that sand and it was HOT.                                                                              

 It is so amazing the wonders and beauty we have here in Colorado. Can't wait to see the colors that await us on our way home.                     

Fall is in the air

Oh what a beautiful time of the year and what a perfect time to travel through Colorado's mountains.  Our trek took us up 285 through Conifer where we saw a few trees dotting the hills.  It was fun to go through our old stomping grounds.  As we went over Crow Hill the colors began to increase.  But nothing compared to the beauty as we approached Kenosha Pass.  We lived in Bailey for 19 years and I don't think we ever got to experience such vibrant colors and so much of them.  Every where you looked greens, yellows and with the sun setting it made the yellows even brighter. The valleys and mountainside. 

Bernice asked if there were any red aspens.  The words no more came out of her mouth than our GOD gave her what she asked for.  Reds, oranges, yellows.  OH MY GOSH.  GOD in all his splendor had decked out the mountains just for my widows (oh maybe for you too).

Ps 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path." He truly directed our path yesterday.  The perfect path, the perfect time to truly enjoy the his beauty and majesty in the fall.

Like a child

  How many days to left?  I get so excited for these trips. 

Instead of asking "Are we there yet?" my mind keeps asking "Is it time yet?".  It seems that the biggest winner in these trips is me.  The planning stages, the excitement, the waiting.

Watching the anticipation of these widows to see places they never thought they would and then the actuality.  It truly fills my heart to the brim to see it.  Of course the places we've been and things we have seen are amazing to me too!

Sometimes  I almost feel like a child with that wide eyed excitement and anticipation, just like in the eyes of my widows...............

The Vehicle of my dreams......................................

What do you think?  The sleek profile along with the classy blue stripe make it a dream vehicle for the Widows.  The over sized back tires along with the white wheels just add to its beauty.  BUT what really caught our eye was................... you got it,  THE HANDICAPPED ACCESS!!!!

Unfortunately this one is sold.  But it did get us to thinking.  Three of my widows (don't you like my possessiveness?) are over the age of 80.  My Mom is already pretty much wheelchair bound.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a vehicle that would have the low entry for my other widows plus the wheelchair access for my Mom PLUS 8 passengers.  We could add 2 more to our group.  Not that we are wanting anyone else to have to become one, there are plenty out there already.

Our next trip is planned, booked and we are ready to go.  We are headed for the Sand Dunes and San Luis, for the Stations of the Cross.  We will stay in Salida - they have a family room with 2 kingsize beds and a queen fold out.  Oh and lots of room for visiting.

 One of my widows said it really doesn't matter where we go or where we stay, it's just that we go! 
Can't wait for the laughs, the astonishment's, the fun, the late night talks...............Oh and most important the McDonald's $.99 small ice cream cones. 

 Hummm I wonder how long it will be before we hear "Are we there yet?"