Catching Up

I got a lot done yesterday.  All bags are unpacked, I cleaned the kitchen and the deck.  I did a little bit outside but there is more to do.  I'm hoping the weekend predicted rain will cool things off and I can do that when it isn't so hot and humid.  R. did the grocery shopping yesterday and today I got a haircut, went to Target to get Giada's tomato/basil saauce (it was the #1 pick of several brands tested), and picked up a few things and Kroger's and got gas then to the library.  This afternoon we'll go to see Richard at Morning View.  Glad the RNC is over and tonight Bill Maher should be priceless..can't wait. No plans for the weekend, but football starting!  The Vols are playing NC State tonight.  We're not big Vol fans although we usually root for them.  They haven't had much in the last few years so I hope this year will be better.  We root for Va Tech, Auburn, W Va and a few others.  Time for lunch....later...

Home Sweet Home

WE arrived home with no hitches and we do love Frontier Airlines!  We have flown with them several times and they seem to get things right.  We relaxed last night and stayed up for Letterman, but today we have tons to do.  R. has gone to the grocery store and I have been unpacking and putting things away.  I cleaned up the kitchen although I had cleaned it before we left.  We have cob and spider webs in every concievable place.  Amazing how they find places to be.  The kitchen is done and bags are unpacked, but not everything is put away.  One thing I hate about being back in Tennessee is the humidity.  It hit us as soon as we got off the plane.  It is awful today also.  Now I need to continue to get things in order.  The deck is a mess..leaves starting to fall and even though I had someone watering my plants, it's the end of summer and things are looking scragily.  My butterfly out front has grown a lot and is loaded with blooms and the morning glories are going wild.  The outdoors will have to wait for another day....later....

Steamboat and Pearl Lake

Yesterday we realized we hadn't been to Steamboat Lake so took one last drive before leaving tomorrow morning.  Both lakes are around 20 miles from here and are in state parks with camping, etc.  The drive was very nice with lots of beautiful ranches all along the way and the lakes were pretty, but the camping!!!  They were just bare sites and junky looking.  Pearl lake had some Yurts which I took pictures of.  Today I'll post the last of my pictures which were taken yesterday.  All of the ranches had impressive entrances and I took pictures of several.  Unfortunately I wasn't close enough for you to see the names of the ranches.  One was Cow Camp.  We hope to get out of here before 8 tomorrow.  Our car has to be returned by 12;27 even though our flight doesn't leave until 4;30.  I guess we'll just hang out at the airport....later...The reason for the cow pictures is because they are in open range which means no fences and they cross the roads or do whatever they please.....

Creekside

This morning we went back to the Creekside Restaurant and had brunch.  We had to wait about 10 minutes or so to get a table outside and it was so worth the wait!  We had a table right by the creek with flowers all around.  The menu was very impressive with lots of yummy choices.  I never get Eggs Benedict, but they had some interesting choices.  I got a half order of EB on a croisant with spinach, mushrooms and swiss cheese and breakfast potatoes.  Richard got EB on a crab cake, but he got the full order.  It was wonderful!!  R. has developed a sinus infection which is keeping him awake at night.  He is fine during the day, but when he lies down his face aches and he can't sleep.  He dropped me off here and is going to the clinic.  He got Sudafed from the pharmacy and she said that might help but if not he should get antibiotics.  I hope he doesn't have to wait forever, but I saw no sense in me sitting there.  I don't think I will be eating anything else all day...that meal left me totally full....later...

Water..79..Air..59

Let me just say that when it is 90 outside and the water is 70 or 80, that's okay, but when the water is 79 and the air is 59..Brrr!!  It was refreshing and the hot mineral pool felt mighty good after that.  We were going to have lunch out, but the place we wanted to eat was jam-packed with little hope of us getting an outside table.  We decided to come home to eat and will go back there tomorrow and try our luck.  R. broke a wine glass so we stopped the the Dollar Tree and got one for a dollar and it is a nice one.  We also needed to pick up a few things.  Tonight I'm making creamed tuna on toast as we're trying to clean out as much as possible.  It's a gorgeous day today.  We've had storms in the late afternoon for the last 3 days, but they are pleasant as well.  We're now saying as we go places,"This may be our last stop here, etc."   Lunch time.....

Get me Home

I am so ready to be home.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm having fun just relaxing, reading, doing puzzles and enjoying the weather, but I want to be in our space.  Yesterday was supposed to be rainy, but it was a beautiful day until about 4 in the afternoon.  It clouded up and stormed a bit and then rained, but not for long.  Today is supposed to be a repeat of yesterday.  We worked out at the gym yesterday and R. got in the pool while I just sat in the warm sunshine and read.  Then we got in the mineral hot pool and relaxed there.  We're trying to get rid of the food and will likely get rid of most of it....later...

Houses of Breckinridge

Cool and Rain

Yesterday was cool all day with rain coming in the afternoon.  R and I both started out the day in sweats.  He changed his later on, but I kept mine on all day.  We attempted to sit out about 4, but just as we got there the rain began.  Today will be more of the same.  We're going to the gym this morning, but won't get in the lap pool.  The hot mineral pool will feel good.  We're trying to get rid of the food in the frig so this week will be lots of strange meals.  I'll call the guy who is our "go too" for anything we need help with and see if he wants what is left when we leave.  I am really sleeping well here.  I'm getting 9 hrs. every night with no trouble.  When we were in Breckinridge I took pictures of several houses.  I'm going to post them on a separate blog.  I hope they show as cute as they were in person...later...

Missing Home

We leave for home a week from today and I'll be happy to see it!  I miss my humming birds and flowers.  I miss my recliner with the massager.  I miss my kitchen, especially my utensils and specifically my knives.  I won't miss having to go and down stairs and I definitely won't miss shortness of breath.  I will miss the cool breezes the come in here all day and the chilly mornings.  We have no specific plans for today.  Yesterday we went to the gym and after that we came home and had lunch and I did laundry.  Oh yes, I will miss the hot springs at the gym here.  The big pool was very chilly yesterday..not sure of the temp, but the water was 79 on Saturday and it felt cooler than that yesterday.  I'm not sure when they close that pool, but school opens here on Thursday.  I heard that the first snowfall in the Denver area is usually mid-October.  I'm assuming it's earlier here since it is much higher than Denver....later...

Driving to Breckinridge

It was another beautiful drive.  We have been having haze from the fires in California and yesterday the sun just didn't want to appear.  Finally just as we got on I-70 it started to drizzle.  It didn't last long, but then reappeared as we came into Breckinridge.  We easily found a parking place right in front of a restaurant that we did have lunch in and it was really good.  I had a Rueben and R. had Pastrami.  Both were delicious!  It was the best I have ever had even surpassing the one at the deli in NYC where Harry Met Sally had a memorable scene.  I brought half of it home as it was huge.  After lunch it was still raining so we just drove around the town.  There were so many cute houses that I took pictures of several which I will post at a later date.  We drove home and when we got to Kremeling, R was getting sleepy so I drove the rest of the way.  We sat outside for a bit and then came inside and it started getting very windy and then started to rain.  Today is supposed to be nice.  We'll go to the gym in a bit...later...

Pictures of the Mountains and Canyons of Colorado

Last Full Week in Steamboat

Not sure what we're doing today, but we're thinking of driving to Breckinridge.  We drove through there on our way up here and it looked really nice.  I'm not sure how far it is.  R. was going to look last night after I went to bed and he isn't up yet.  He has recently been having a lot of trouble sleeping.  He gets to sleep fine, but then keeps waking up and we're both having a bit of trouble with alergies..more he than I.  They were talking about rain today, but I haven't heard yet.  I'll post some pictures this morning of our drive down to Aspen, but will add a new post in case this computer wants to cut out after I've written everything..later..oh...I finished the Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani and really love it!  I hate to finish a good book.  If you haven't read any of her books, I highly recommend them.  I have enjoyed all of them!

Hot Springs Gym

Posting Problems

I tried to post yesterday with pictures, but got almost finished and lost everything.  I redid it and the same thing happened.  I'm not sure why, but today I'll post pictures separately from the text and see what happens.  We went to the gym yesterday and found it was a good day to go...no kids classes and not many people at all.  Now we'll change to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  This is going to be our last full week here in Steamboat.  We are going to be glad to get home although we have loved doing this to escape the August of Tennessee.  We don't regret doing this and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  I made R. a birthday dinner of pan seared scallops and shrimp with wild asian rice.  We sat outside for quite a while..in fact I had the blanket wrapped around me for the last part of the evening.  Today I'm making French toast for breakfast and sausage.  R. went back to bed because he got up very early and stayed up for 2 hrs.  The pictures I'll post are the ones I took of the gym we joined...later...

It's Friday

Very Chilly this morning.  I want to take a shower, but will wait until it warms up a bit.  We have nothing special planned today.  I need to stop by the post office to mail a card and we're going to check out a few shops in town that look interesting.  Not sure what I'll make for dinner, but I have shrimp in the freezer so I'll probably do that.  I'm going to post some pictures starting with pics I took up at the ski runs.  The houses shown are being built and are on the way up to the ski runs.

Our Day in Aspen

The drive down to Aspen was beautiful and very different from what we are used to seeing. When we started out we were seeing ranches and then open ranges.  At one point we saw a huge herd of sheep with their sheep dog keeping watch and 2 riders on horseback as well.  They were grazing along the side of the mountain.  We hit I-70 and that part of the drive was breath-taking along the Colorado and huge mountains and canyons.  I will post the pictures I took, many taken in the car as we were driving, soon.  The town of Aspen was very pretty with town squares full of flowers and up-scale shops such as Prada and Ralph Lauren to name a few.  There were restaurants everywhere, but the menus were odd.  We finally settled on one but were sorry we chose it and food prices were way high.We took 2 bus rides around the city with one being good, the other not so much.  The city was very busy with too many tourists, etc.  All in all...glad we saw it and loved the ride down, but not that impressed with Aspen.  We like Steamboat much better.  Today I plan to take my camera to the gym and take pictures there.  It is a very pretty place..you'll see....later...

Off to Aspen

We're heading to Aspen this morning.  It's just a little under 3 hrs.  We'll look around there, have lunch and then head back.  Another chilly morning..46 but warms up nicely in the afternoon.  Yesterday the pool was a bit chillier than I like, but after that we went to the hot spring pool and that was lovely.  Looks like Romney may have shot himself in the foot with Paul Ryan.  Time will tell...later...

Cool 46

I left the windows closed last night as it was definitely a cool evening.  I have a fire in the wood stove this morning R. got up at 3:30 and I stayined in bed until almost 6.  He's gone back to bed for a quick nap.  Later we'll head to the gym..not sure if I'll venture into the pool..depends on how much it warms up.  I will likely get into the hot springs...I do love them!  Other than that not sure if we'll do something or just hang out....later...

Chilly Day in Steamboat

It started out a bit chilly and then it started to rain, so it never got much warmer.  I put shorts on when I got dressed, but then changed into long pants.  We hung around until after lunch and then went to the grocery store which seems to be one of our main forms of entertainment lately.  The sun is out now so it's a bit warmer.  Last night we made beef and noodles for dinner and R. is going to have the rest of that for dinner.  I think I'll make myself a grilled cheese.  The Closer is on tonight and it is the finale.  It's on opposite Stars and Stripes which I want to watch, but will have to wait until next week.  Richard is still in the hospital, but they are talking about sending him to a transitional place..not sure when that will be.  Tim took care of a lot of things while he was there...later...

Lazy Sunday

It did rain on and off all day yesterday.  I changed clothes 3 times trying to decide about the weather.  Later in the afternoon it looked sunny so we took our drinks and snack out on the deck.  As soon as we sat down it started to sprinkle so we came in.  Then it stopped so we went back out and, yes, you guessed it.  It started to rain again so we came in and stayed in.  We had bought a kroger pizza and that was dinner.  It was the worst pizza I have ever had.  The crust was like cardboard and the sauce had no taste at all.  We ended up throwing it away.  Tonight I'm making beef and noodles.  We got up to a beautiful morning, I fixed breakfast and R. went for the paper.  We're both showered, the puzzle is half-way done and R. is snoozing.  Yesterday was Linda's birthday and I talked to her.  She was going over to our house to fill the humming bird feeders.  She called me from the house and asked if Baxter ever went anywhere in the house except the great room and kitchen.  She was washing the feeders when she felt something brush up against her leg.  She about jumped out of her skin and then saw that it was Baster who had come in through the pet door.  She gave him a treat but then didn't see him leave and she didn't want to lock him in.  Tim came down yesterday to visit Richard and is staying at the house.  He also saw Baxter, but he didn't come in.  I'm almost finished with my book and will likely finish it today.  I have another book to read on the Kindle and then I might get the Walter Cronkite book....later...

A Lovely Rainy Day

It started  raining shortly after I got up and also rained last night.  For awhile I thought it was going to clear up, but it hasn't and that is fine with us.  It's a perfect day to read.  Richard has his Jack Kennedy book and I'm still on Linda Fairsteins, Night Watch.  I finally got dressed and for the first day didn't put on shorts.  Yesterday we took the Gondola to the ski runs.  It was quite a ride up and it was beautiful and clear so we could see all.  I took pictures, but will put them on when I get more.  Later this afternoon I may vacuum or maybe not..we'll see.  Tim is driving down to Tennessee today to visit Richard for a few days.  He is still in the hospital and getting dyalisis every other day.  He says it is temporary.  Hayden leaves for college next Saturday...hard to believe.  I told Stef to give me his address so I can send him Care packages.  Oh my..I think the sun might come out, yes, here is comes.  I need to get to my book....later....

A Much Better Day

I really wasn't looking forward to going to the gym yesterday, but it was much better.  We went earlier and it seemed to be less crazy.  It's still not my favorite place, but a necessary activity.  After that we made 1 stop and then came home to have lunch.  I made chicken salad for dinner and   then got in a lot of reading.  The weather continues to be beautiful although the last two days of been hotter but always a nice breeze and low humidity.  Today we will go to a wine tasting later and this morning will go to the ski runs.  We also need to pick up some groceries.  This is a great town for active people.  Everyone bikes and hikes and probably skis in winter.  Time to shower and get myself together....later...

Bad Start to this Day

I was making a smoothie with banana and mixed berries, but somehow the plastic insert to the lid fell into the blender and everything exploded!  I had berry juice all over me and the kitchen.  It also broke the blender jar.  After cleaning up the mess I made something different for breakfast.  I was also in a rotten mood because we were going to the gym and I do not like that gym.  We decided to drive to Craig, which is 40 miles from Steamboat.  We went to the Northwest Colorado Museum which was fun and we got a replacement jar for the blender.  I'll try again tomorrow with the smoothies.  It is hot here today...91!  However, it isn't humid and it's cool inside.  I'm reading Linda Fairstein's latest book, Night Watch.  It is very good!

Here Comes the Sun

Yesterday was cloudier than the previous days, but sunny off and on.  We went to the gym in the morning to avoid the kids that swarm the place in the afternoon.  That place is like a zoo and I really appreciate our gym at home for its peacefulness.  I got home and did housekeeping chores.  Today we'll head to the grocery store and after than likely go to the ski runs and some more exploring.  We thought about going to Aspen, but it's over a 3 hr. drive so don't think we'll do that.  I just saw my Eva movie which is a great way to start a morning!  To those who don't know..Muir had a near miss on the road to Columbus yesterday.  Two semis lost control and 6 cars were involved with one fatality.  Muir saw the semi barreling toward her and she managed to get in the other lane and mostly avoid it.  Her car did get some damage , but she wasn't hurt..just shaken..thank God!...later..

A Long Ride to Nowhere

I guess it is somewhere to a few people.  We took a drive East toward Denver to this small town.  I can't even imagine why anyone would live there.  I'll post some pictures that I took on the drive.  The scenery was beautiful and on the way to this small Colorado town there was a house here and a house there, a few small ranches, etc.  It was a nice ride and we came home to a beautiful afternoon followed by a pot roast for dinner and more Olympics.

A Lazy Sunday in Sunny Colorado

Brrr...a chilly morning.  Glad to have the wood stove.  R. went out to get a paper and it was 43.  It's warming up nicely now, though.  Breakfast is over and we watched tennis and did the puzzle, read the paper, had a nice breakfast.  I need to get a shower shortly and then we'll go for a ride.  I need to be back in time to put the pot roast on for dinner.  The beautiful weather just keeps on.  We both slept well and our altitude issues are getting better.  Maybe I'll take some pictures today...later...

To the Gym

It was tough.  I'm having a bit of altitude sickness today..shortness of breath and just a bit of nausea.  I'm sure it will pass.  We did work out and made it through the workout.  I made Spanish Rice and a salad last night.  I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible.  Tonight it's burgers and tomorrow I'll make pancakes for breakfast and I'm doing a pot roast for dinner.  I got a bottle of Pinot Noir that is the wine of the month.  It was 11. but is regularly 21.  I'm thinking it should be very good.  If we like it I'll get some more.  Not sure what we'll do today..maybe just hang out.  It's another beautiful day and I'll finish my book and start another.  I put 3 books on my Kindle before I left.  We have talked to Richard daily and he sounds much better as seems to be doing well.  He did have dyalisis but I don't know if that is a one time thing or if it will be permanent.  Lunch time....later....

More Heavenly Weather

Another chilly morning, but the wood stove which is a gas stove warms things up in the morning.  It is going to be about 84 today.  Yesterday it was about the same with lots of sun and absolutely no humidity.  We had lunch yesterday in a very good place, sitting outside and watching the people go by.  We loaded up on groceries and are all set now.  I'm going to take a walk in a bit and later we'll go and check out the gym.  I took a few pictures of our deck, but nothing else yet...later...

We Have Arrived!

Our trip to Denver was fine..uneventful and then we started out for Steamboat Springs.  Our GPS took us the scenic route instead of the fastest.  We were happy about that as it was, for the most part, a beautiful drive.  However, it was long and got very tiresome at the end.  This condo is beautiful!  It is pristine with so many homey touches that we don't find in time shares.  She was stocked the kitchen with all kinds of spices and the frig as ketchup, mustard, and mayo.  We stopped last night just to get breakfast makings, but will do our major food shopping today.  It was quite chilly this morning and we turned on the wood stove, which is gas.  R. prepared breakfast for us and we will explore the town today, shop and relax..probably play some cards.  I'll be taking lots of pictures and will post when I can...later...