We last left off in Nebraska with plans to see Estes Park in Colorado. Well, plans change. We had been hearing a strange noise from the front wheel, and on arriving in Denver we discovered our front tires were wearing unevenly, so were referred to a mechanic who thought we needed new ball joints and tie rods. $910 later our ball joints are shiny and our tie rods are the best money can buy. But we still hear the noise. Oh well, we were told not to worry about it -- it's just the bushings on the brakes. No problem.
We spent the night with old birding pal Tom Hablitzel and his wife Suzanne, then went birding in the morning while the RV was being fixed and I got to buy a new driver with Tom's suggestion). For golf, that is, not to drive the RV. We decided this baby (the driver) needed ELEVATION to test how far I could hit with it, so we skipped Estes Park (too much elk doo-doo which gets in your shoes and on your clothes) and went to 9,400 feet Breckinridge, an old mining town now touristy. They mostly mine the tourist's dollars. Guess what? The new driver did wonderfully and we had a great time with a threesome (Gloria isn't quite healed up so didn't play), including a really funny dentist named Bob Briggs ("Woody" is his biker name) who kept us laughing. He plays golf 4 months and skis 8 months while working the free dental clinic. He and his buddy were excellent golfers and played the back tees. I was impressed.
We also had a great time with Ed and Patty McAuliffe in Westminster, a Denver suburb and Charlie Martyn, our nephew, in Boulder who is a grad student in English. Ed was my first internship partner in Cooperstown and is still working hard at Kaiser in Family Practice. They took us out tandem biking (they are expert, having just returned from Italy). I was Captain (in front) and Gloria was Stoker (in back). The Captain is supposed to tell the Stoker what is happening before it happens, but I tended to tell her afterwards, so the information was of little use to Gloria. She got to read the map, do her nails, put on makeup, etc. because she wasn't steering. I would rather be Stoker, but it's against the rules, I guess.
Anyway, the fall colors in Colorado were gorgeous, as they were in Utah and now in Wyoming. It's a great time to be here. From Breckinridge we drove to Moab, Utah and played golf in a nice course in the red rocks. We were the first ones on in the morning and the early sun was beautiful lighting up the color. We went to Dead Horse Point where wild mustangs died of thirst with the Colorado River in sight waaay down below. I promised Gloria we would return to see Arches and Canyonlands, but our time was short so we drove the 535 miles (in 1 1/2 days) here to Jackson, Wyoming. On the way we visited 2 nice museums, one about John Wesley Powell who was first down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and the second in Montpelier, Idaho about the Oregon/California Trail. I was interactive and great fun. The drive north of Logan, Utah, along the Logan River Canyon was spectacular with beautiful fall color reds and golds to contrast with the rocks, the river, the blue sky.
We are now in Jackson, another touristy town (3 in a row!) where we were told the median home price is 1.5 mil, slightly out of our price range. The golf club we play tomorrow has beautiful views of the Grand Tetons, but it's rather exclusive (Dick Cheney belongs but I don't think we'll see him). The only reason we can afford it is that it's off-season. Tonight we went out and bought western clothes so people will really know we're dudes, and then went to a great Mexican restaurant, Las Abuelito, which I think means "Little Grandpa," or maybe "Little Old Man Who Just Bought Western Clothes to Look Like a Dude."
It's Anaconda, Montana next in a reclaimed copper mine that is supposed to be a wonderful golf course, then Moscow, Idaho to see my sister Barb and Kurt, her husband and my former roommate. We finish with Pullman, Washington and Sandpoint, Idaho before returning to Eugene on the 11th. Only 3 states to go then: California, Nevada, and HAWAII -- YAY!!! The book is coming along and we're still speaking to each other, though Gloria was contemplating divorce for a few hours the other day. I think I said the wrong thing. But we're happy again and all is right with the world.
We spent the night with old birding pal Tom Hablitzel and his wife Suzanne, then went birding in the morning while the RV was being fixed and I got to buy a new driver with Tom's suggestion). For golf, that is, not to drive the RV. We decided this baby (the driver) needed ELEVATION to test how far I could hit with it, so we skipped Estes Park (too much elk doo-doo which gets in your shoes and on your clothes) and went to 9,400 feet Breckinridge, an old mining town now touristy. They mostly mine the tourist's dollars. Guess what? The new driver did wonderfully and we had a great time with a threesome (Gloria isn't quite healed up so didn't play), including a really funny dentist named Bob Briggs ("Woody" is his biker name) who kept us laughing. He plays golf 4 months and skis 8 months while working the free dental clinic. He and his buddy were excellent golfers and played the back tees. I was impressed.
We also had a great time with Ed and Patty McAuliffe in Westminster, a Denver suburb and Charlie Martyn, our nephew, in Boulder who is a grad student in English. Ed was my first internship partner in Cooperstown and is still working hard at Kaiser in Family Practice. They took us out tandem biking (they are expert, having just returned from Italy). I was Captain (in front) and Gloria was Stoker (in back). The Captain is supposed to tell the Stoker what is happening before it happens, but I tended to tell her afterwards, so the information was of little use to Gloria. She got to read the map, do her nails, put on makeup, etc. because she wasn't steering. I would rather be Stoker, but it's against the rules, I guess.
Anyway, the fall colors in Colorado were gorgeous, as they were in Utah and now in Wyoming. It's a great time to be here. From Breckinridge we drove to Moab, Utah and played golf in a nice course in the red rocks. We were the first ones on in the morning and the early sun was beautiful lighting up the color. We went to Dead Horse Point where wild mustangs died of thirst with the Colorado River in sight waaay down below. I promised Gloria we would return to see Arches and Canyonlands, but our time was short so we drove the 535 miles (in 1 1/2 days) here to Jackson, Wyoming. On the way we visited 2 nice museums, one about John Wesley Powell who was first down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and the second in Montpelier, Idaho about the Oregon/California Trail. I was interactive and great fun. The drive north of Logan, Utah, along the Logan River Canyon was spectacular with beautiful fall color reds and golds to contrast with the rocks, the river, the blue sky.
We are now in Jackson, another touristy town (3 in a row!) where we were told the median home price is 1.5 mil, slightly out of our price range. The golf club we play tomorrow has beautiful views of the Grand Tetons, but it's rather exclusive (Dick Cheney belongs but I don't think we'll see him). The only reason we can afford it is that it's off-season. Tonight we went out and bought western clothes so people will really know we're dudes, and then went to a great Mexican restaurant, Las Abuelito, which I think means "Little Grandpa," or maybe "Little Old Man Who Just Bought Western Clothes to Look Like a Dude."
It's Anaconda, Montana next in a reclaimed copper mine that is supposed to be a wonderful golf course, then Moscow, Idaho to see my sister Barb and Kurt, her husband and my former roommate. We finish with Pullman, Washington and Sandpoint, Idaho before returning to Eugene on the 11th. Only 3 states to go then: California, Nevada, and HAWAII -- YAY!!! The book is coming along and we're still speaking to each other, though Gloria was contemplating divorce for a few hours the other day. I think I said the wrong thing. But we're happy again and all is right with the world.
1 comment:
I know that you've already been to PA, but if you're ever coming back, consider golfing at Willow Valley Golf Course in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- They've got six par fours averaging over 300 yards, and water on two holes.
- The Golf Course is extremely well kept, with well manicured greens, tees and fairways.
- It's affordable: rates range from $15 for 9 holes during the week to $30 for 9 holes and a cart on weekends and holidays!
They also have dining right on site, which is convenient.
We can help plan your trip here at the PA Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau. (www.padutchcountry.com)
I hope that you and your wife have a successful last three states!
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