Winter

This is the best time of year for sunsets in Santa Barbara. A fabulous end to the day..

Things to Do

These days it seems as if there is never a shortage of things to do. Raking, shoveling, picking stuff up and making lists of more things to do. By the end of the week we're all ready for a change. What better than a little party on someone's newly cleaned slab?

cleaning house

What a way to clean up the house in a hurry!

Going green

It was scary having rain so soon after the fire but all turned out well. The rain was gentle and there are little bits of green working up through the soil. I can't wait to see how much comes back.

Tea Fire Results

What was left of the house.

Tea Fire

The Tea Fire. So named because it started at the Tea Gardens on Mountain Drive. This fire came to life at about 5:45 in the evening on the 13th of Nov and within an hour had consumed almost all of the homes on Mountain Drive. Included in that were six different houses belonging to my family. Mountain Drive being the community where I was born and raised meant that I know almost everyone there and most of them lost their homes as well. It's weird, it's sad, it's amazing. I will never forget getting the phone call from Ben (we were in Las Cruces)and hearing Stan say to him to be safe, get out and make sure the moms are ok. Five minutes later he called and said that the flames were coming over the hill and he had to leave. The winds were blowing 70 miles an hour with flames going 300 feet in the air and burning branches falling all around. No time to get anything. Ben's girlfriend Michelle immediatly went to Grandma Pat's house and started packing her up. It took Ben about 40 minutes to get there in what usually takes five. Meanwhile, we were tracking down my mom and stepdad, who had disappeared. We knew they were out of the house and would show up eventually because my sister Rima had gone up there to get them. Luckily she did because she and her friend Hank were able to evacuate with them another elderly resident who had no car. Real heros there!! Back to Ben... Ben, Michelle and two police officers who Stan's brother Gary had sent, were able to evacuate Grandma Pat and take her to the fire station, where Gary could pick her up. More heros, Ben and Michelle! I got a call from Rob at about 8:00 saying that Mom and Merv were there with him. By then we knew that all the family was safely out and then we could track the fire. It is incredible that no one died in this fire. Our homes and worldly goods are gone, but they can be replaced. Our loved ones cannot and they are all still here. Isn't that a miracle?

Yep, it's cold outside

Stan and I have been in Angel Fire, NM for the past two weeks. We got very lucky and had some great fall weather until about two days ago. Talk about a switch! One day it was 57 and the next day the high was 32. Then it had the nerve to drop to -6 degrees over night. We are very glad we have a four season rv. We tried not to let the temps crimp our tree clearing style, which is what we've been working on. The lot is starting to look pretty buff, if I do say so. However, all good (yeah, right) things must come to an end and this weekend we are heading to the southern parts of the state to warm up a little. Unfortunatly, you don't get to see our handiwork, because I have not taken ONE SINGLE PICTURE since we returned from South America. Maybe tomorrow..

Argentina

Buenos Aires is bathed in graffiti. We loved walking the different neighborhoods and checking out the wall art.

Argentina

Buenos Aires is famous for her dog walkers. We loved to see a walker going down the side walk with ten big dogs, stopping to pick up another one from the doorman on his route and heading to the park. Once there, he leashes some of them to tree branches and the well trained get to be off leash. They play, have snacks and take naps. Doggy Day Care for beloved pets.

Argentina

We loved spending time with friends Mariano, Dominique, Emilio and Lula. Stan and I met Mariano, Dominique,and Emilio through Ben, when they all worked together in Breckenridge,Co. The time we spent with them and their families in Buenos Aires was so special to us.

Uraguay

The four of us made a quick trip to Colonia for the day. It was a great place to explore and experience cobblestones at their finest!

Argentina

We loved the waterways in Mendoza. They go all through the town, carrying water from the Andes.

Argentina

High up upon a mountain....

Argentina

Bariloche is very cool. We loved our old world hotel on the waterfront with views across the lake.

Chile

Vicki and Greg treated us to 3 days at the Cliffs Preserve, near Parga, on the coast of Chile. It is a fantastic place. We ate gourmet meals, spent time relaxing in the spa, went hiking with the wonderful guides, and horseback riding as well. We watched the waves roll in and sat in the wood fired hot tub, with the rain sprinkling down. It was such a treat; we'll always remember...

Chile

The highway heading out of Puerto Varas, Vicki's town. There are two volcanos to choose from.

Chile

Rupanco, isn't it gorgeous? Greg's family home is a wonderful place to retreat.

Chile

Vicki's friend Scott stuffed all our luggage and the six of us into his car and gave us a wild ride into Santiago from the airport. Unloading felt like we were the clowns at a circus..... Thanks to Scott for putting us all up at his apt in the city.

Chile

Stan and Tom show us how to raise a muffler.

Our last night, saying goodbye to Chile

Back in the USA

Hey! What happened? Last week at this time I was relaxing on the coast of Chile, staying in a fun little hosteria on the coast, by the museum of Pablo Neruda, famous Chilean poet. Tonight I'm sitting in a familiar 5th wheel in Chanute, Kansas, drinking hot chocolate and wondering if it's going to rain on our travels to Dodge City tomorrow. You know what? They're both good places to be. Great trip - great to be home.

Full Moon in Santiago

We've just arrived in Santiago,Chile and I'm looking out the floor to ceiling windows of a 15th story apt at the full moon and lights of the city. This is a city of 5 million people. We spent the afternoon climbing the hill at Sta Lucia to view it from the top. Snow covered peaks all around, then down into the market to buy vegetables, fruits, nuts and cheeses for an evening snack. This is such a change from the areas that we have been frequenting, like Rupanco, a 30 mile long lake ovverlooked by two hundred ft waterfalls and a volcano, Puerto Varas, on a HUGE lake overlooked by two volcanos and beautiful, verdant farmlands. Well I could go on and on. Chile is fantastic and totally unexpected. It's like the Swiss Alps, the California coastline, a little bit of Mexico and a lot of Germany and so pure. Yesterday we were eating at a German restaurant by the lake, a few days before we were checking the surf in Parga and today it's all about the city. The overriding theme is the food. It's time to get back to the basics there, or face serious consequences!! Oh the stress of it all....

Crossing the Andes

Buenos Dias from South America. After many tries on many computers, I am finally able to access our blog. Bien! We have successfully crossed the Andes and are now in Puerto Varas, Chile. A new paradise for us. This town sits on the edge of a giant lake, with snow topped volcanos behind it. We are here at the beginning of spring so the trees are just leafing out or in flower. After leaving Buenos Aires, Stan and I took and overnight bus to Mendoza. A bus you say? These buses are amazing. It´s like traveling first class on an airline only you are on the ground, a big plus for Stan. They serve meals and your overstuffed leather seat folds down flat so that you can sleep. Movies in English help. They even offer champagne!! Mendoza is very like Napa Valley. The water comes down out of the Andes and they have cobblestone canals along all the streets, with the water running through. Beautiful trees line all the streets as well and it has the feel of a very prosperous town. From there we went on to Bariloche, which is a resort town on a lake in the Andes at the gateway to Patagonia. We stayed in a hotel on the street fronting the lake. It felt as if we were in the Swiss Alps. We went hiking, picnicking and Stan and Tom skied at the resort there. Spring conditions but so beautiful. Crossing to Chile took three ferries and four buses yesterday. Oops, and lots of time going through the customs rigamarole. Vicki Johnson surprised us by meeting us in Peulla, which is where her son Alan was born and they were living at the time. It was so great to see her pop into view. We spend the next two weeks in Chile, where we will have many new adventures. One big difference? Seafood instead of bife. I love it all.

Life in the City

So much to do, so little time. So much to eat and drink, too full to take it all in. The other night we went to the Carnitas district and had a dinner with Ben´s friends Mariano, Dominique, Lula and Emiliano. They took us to a great restaurant that is typically Argentine. Lots of meat!!!! It was all so good. You can not be a vegetarian in this city, you would miss out on too much. Although you could live on the icecream. Stan´s trying that out. We crossed the widest river in the world yesterday to spend time in Colonia. It´s a city of cobblestoned streets and stone buildings, reminiscent of Portugal. Good art, nice people and... good food. I´m exhausted! We came back at 11:00 and went out to dinner, which is the time everyone eats around here. Good thing we can sleep in.Zzzzzzzzz

buenos aires

it´s amazing how hard it is to work this keyboard, here in the internet cafe in buenos aires. if you haven´t noticed yet, i can´t find the caps. that being said, we are having a fantastic time here. we spent the day yesterday in the san telmo district, at the flea market and street tango dancing. there were musicians galore, along with lots of art works, leather crafts and jewelry. it went on for blocks and blocks. so fun, i can´t wait to go back. we spent the day at the modern art museum today. you think you´re going to have time for so much in a day but it is all so interesting and along with staying up till midnight just to get dinner under your belt <(yawn) we´re managing one main thing and lots of walking around. we don´t have internet in our apt at the moment so these blogs will come when they can. hasta pronto!

Leaving on the Next Plane...

We're off to Argentina in the morning and looking forward to seeing South America for the first time. The plane thing? If only we could just blink and be there. I'm thinking it will be worth it though. Our next post will be from Buenos Aires . Until then, hasta luego!

As far as the eye can see

Fields of sunflowers in Wyoming. A vision in yellow.

The Ascent

In preparation for Patagonia, Stan and I climbed Harney Peak in the Black Hills. This is the tallest peak between the Rockies and The European Pyrenees, at (ta da) 7242 feet. It was a really nice trail, with the coolest rock fire lookout at the top. When we got up there the sun was shining and the clouds were fluffing around below. By the time we left, we were in a world of white. From the top you can see into five states. North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

Back in the USA

Sad to leave the beautiful lakes in Canada, but we've found out that the Dakotas have so much to offer. For some reason I expected to see endless miles of brown desolation and heat considering the time of year. Instead we've seen fields of blooming sunflowers, acres of green pasture lands, full to the brim lakes surrounded by cat tails and rushes. Not to mention the bison, the herons, the fox and the big horn sheep. Oh, and the wild horses!!!! We stood in a meadow and watched a zillion (maybe not quite that many) dragonflies swirl around. We went to a musical in an ampitheatre in the hills of the badlands and to the lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore. We went to a laser show at Crazy Horse, an incredible work in progress. I'm so glad to finally see these amazing sights. The Dakotas? Jewels of a nation.

Full moon over Falcon Lake

Nice, huh?

Falcon Lake.. so beautiful

We are currently ensconced in Alan and Cindy's "cottage" on Falcon Lake in Canada. You know those lucky people who go to the seashore or the lake for the summer? Well that's what it's like for us right now and let me tell you, they have the right idea. Get up in the morning, have a coffee, go for a walk and look at the lake. Consider a boat ride after breakfast. After the crossword that is, just to see if you can get the brain working. I love it.

Oh Canada....

We are enjoying life in Canada at the moment, so with no "at home" internet, we're a little slow to post. At present we're in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This country is so green. Lots and lots of wheat, corn and sunflower fields. It feels a bit like being in Europe, with all the signs and tv stations in English and French and the Queens picture up everywhere. Tomorrow we go to Falcon Lake for the week. We're lucky enough to have friends Cindy and Alan invite us to stay at their lake home and friends Chrissie and Jim bringing their boat to complete the good times. Pics will be posted when we can. Meanwhile, life is good...

Glacier Park

view of the glacier

Farewell to the Glaciers

Spent the day in beautiful, Glacier National Park yesterday. Lakes so blue, sheer rock cliffs, green trees, wild flower meadows and rushing water everywhere. They make up for the glaciers that are expected to be gone by 2020. The road To The Sun winds its way up the steep mountain side, (kinda scary) past the Weeping Wall and the work crews hanging off the edges, rebuilding the road. We took a hike to Virginia Falls. The temperature must have dropped 20 degrees when we got to the Falls. It felt so good. We saw an Osprey family, nesting on a tree top, little Pica running around, a group of lazy big horn sheep and white mountain goats sitting on the snow, looking pristine. Sad to say goodbye to the glaciers. I wonder what's next?

Mousse or Moose, You decide

I can't believe it! The first hike on this whole trip that I don't go on with Stan and he gets a front row seat to a moose viewing. The one animal I've been waiting to see all through the West. I am TOTALLY jealous. Maybe my turn is down the road...

On another note, Bozeman is a wonderful town. I could see living here. We have really enjoyed our stay with Chris and Paul Thibault. They toured us everywhere. We went to the headwaters of the Missouri River and took a boat trip on the river through the gateway of the Rockies. We went up to Big Sky Ski area and attended a concert as the sun set. We spent time at the Sweet Pea Festival, a 3 day extravaganza of music, arts and crafts. The best part was the wood work shop where hundreds of kids were hammering and painting away, creating whatever was in their heads, using wood scraps. So cool. We went to Virginia City and saw antelope grazing along the highway. I love the afternoon thunder showers and the long evenings of summer here.

Tomorrow we head out to Glacier Park. Does it get any better?

Biking in Glenwood Canyon

You can't beat this bike path for views. Fantastic!

Cub Lake

Monet would have loved this lily pond...

Hanging out in the park

These guys have it pretty good here in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Playing the Waiting Game

Since the 7th of July, we have been in Broomfield,Co, imposing on Jocelyn and Kristian while having the hiker worked on. Our plan was to be here for a week and then head off to Wyoming but time moves differently at the place where the work is being done. Luckily for us the kids have been very accomodating. Last Friday we decided to give them a break from us and we took our tent and sleeping bags and headed for the mountains to go camping for real. Well, pretty much for real. We did have a shower for the first couple of nights. It was great to get up out of the heat and be in the the green again. I finally got to check out Glenwood Springs for more than a coffee on the way through. They have a fantastic hot springs spa there and with the Colorado River running through, lots of river rafting and kayaking. They also have a 16 mile bike path that runs by the river, up Glenwood Canyon. We had a nice workout riding our bikes up and back (it's actually pretty level), watching everyone come down the river. The highway has fantastic bridges overhead and the occasional train chugs by on the other side of the river so there's lots of action. Leaving there, we went all through the Rocky Mountain National Park where we camped for the last night. It's so, so beautiful. I especially loved the tundra. The highs up there (around 11,500 ft) are below 50 degrees so it was chilly. Lots of elk lazing around the meadows and bursts of color from the wildflowers blooming everywhere. In the morning we got up and went for a hike up to Cub Lake. So cool to come over the last rise and see the lake, covered with lilies. The only sad part was the acres and acres of dead forest from the pine bark beetle, due to drought and warming temps. It was unbelievable.

We are now back with our very, patient hosts and planning on (keep fingers crossed) leaving Friday. Pics will follow...

Celebrate!!

The fourth of July in Crested Butte is a glorious sight and we had a great time at the parade and the many festivities that followed. The parade is like most small town parades, absolutely the best!! Lots of home grown floats, cars filled with waving people, tons of red, white and blue, ending with fire trucks blowing their sirens and shooting their water hoses. The tradition here is to have a huge water fight at the end. They've had to create a zone so that the non participants can keep their cameras dry. It was hot so Jocelyn and I took the chance and went in to catch a spray or two. The egg toss , pie eating contest, log sawing contest, and other things that took place on the main street (shut down for the day) were so perfect. Then off to Gunnison for a bbq at the koa (home for the week) and a night of fireworks. Spectacular fireworks but very random. It was done in fazes and in between they would light up a square grid of fizzly fire lights in the shape of a duck. We never did figure that out. Cool to have a little bit of mystery.

Raising the Roof in Pitkin

Upon leaving Angel Fire, Stan and I went to Pitkin,Co - a little, bitty town in the mountains where Jocelyn and Kristian have property. The purpose? Building a cabin. It's a beautiful piece of land with lots of water and trees and summer afternoon thunder showers to add entertainment. To get there you go up 3 1/2 miles of unpaved mountain road (very bumpy, steep and narrow) through mountain meadows and canyons. Kristian has a trailer that he used to haul up all the materials and tools for building. I can not imagine how he did it!! The property is at 10.000 ft and off the grid. We spent a few days along with Kristian's dad, Murray,Jocelyn and Kristian, pounding nails, painting, burning wood scrap and generally raising a cabin. I'm telling you, those people can work! Dawn to dusk and then down the hill to the KOA for a shower and bed. It reminded me of building houses on Mountain Dr - everyone coming around, putting in maximum effort to get a jump on a new home. The best way to build of you ask me....

Putting down Stakes

Developing a topo is a very delicate operation it appears, and luckily for us an expert arrived on the scene just in time to steer us straight. Or whatever..... It was so cool to have Jim and Leah Cushman drive all the way out here to spend a couple of days. Between the three guys (Greg and Karen being here as well) they managed to get the job done and Jim was able to get his laser out of Stan's clutches. I somehow think it's a lot more fun for Stan to do stuff like that with Jim and Greg than with me. Regardless, we also had time to have a barbeque at sunset and a visit to the Vietnam Memorial (pretty amazing place here in A.F.) the following day. It was so great to have everyone here. hurry back please...

Good Friends, Good Hikes

Our friends, Greg and Karen Goforth came out to spend some time with us in Angel Fire. Little did Greg know that he would get put to work for the day, developing a topo of the property and spending the rest of his time hiking up and down various canyons and peaks. The days were full of rivers, meadows full of wildflowers, blue skies with sudden rain showers, rocks in our socks and for Greg and Stan, little, bitty bug bites all around their ankles. We found out that they have dry rain showers in New Mexico, where the rain never makes it to the ground. We found out we needed an ice chest of cold drinks in the truck for when we got back from the dusty trail. We found out we needed a big dinner and lots of sleep at night in order to keep it up. I loved every bit of it. Thanks for coming, Greg and Karen!

Angel Fire

Why they call it Angel Fire at sunset.......

A Family Affair

Still in Angel Fire, time is flying by. The past couple of weeks we have been clearing tree limbs and the under story on the property that we share with Ben. It's hard work and I'm covered with little cuts and bruises but it's so cool to see the area emerge and take shape. The best part was having Ben, his girlfriend Michelle, Jocelyn and Kristian here with us. They are the greatest!! They all know how to work hard, play hard and put on a tasty bbq at the end of the day. Unfortunately for us, they had to return to their homes and we're missing all the action that they provided. I know that sounds extremely sad but we'll get over it...... Meanwhile, more beautiful, mountain days to come, then on to Colorado for the week of the 4th.