Cherry Creek State Park

 Cherry Creek State Park camping is spacious and beautiful. Here's a picture of Julia's sister Katie's favorite site at sunset. 

My site had no hookups, so I was boon-docking, so to speak, for the first time. It worked well and saved $40. My cheap ass retirement spending appreciates that. Cherry Creek park and reservoir is within the Aurora CO city limits and has very nice beaches and fishing I hear. John Van Ginkel, an Atlantic High School friend, lives a half mile from the park, so he rode to the camp on Monday morning. As we walked along the beaches, about a mile from my site, there were piles and piles of trash everywhere. Not usual he said and it made him pretty angry. Continuing our walk, we came upon several police officers and a ranger with a Geiger counter combing an area just up from the beach. Interesting. I remembered seeing police car lights the night before, and did hear a sound that I thought was a car back firing. So, the story came out that there was an incident involving two men and gun shots; thus, why the beach was left in haste by the poor people who were trying to enjoy an evening on the beach. Always something happening somewhere as I travel. 

Willow has been observing squirrels and bunnies, and if she could, she would catch them and...eat them? Hell if I know what she would do. There were no squirrels to speak of in my neighborhood...gotta have trees ya know. So, this is a new specie she is studying with great intent. I do believe I could put this girl to work for a farmer who would like to rid themselves of them. She is also intently focused on bunnies, but seriously, I know they eat vegetables, but they are so cute I just could not stand any harm coming to them. Anyway, pass the word along that Willow is available for hire. Could be a great second income for me. 

I am leaving Colorado next week and going north to Wyoming and northern Nebraska. I haven't decided where I will camp first, but I need to call my cousin Bill who spends a lot of time on a plot of land somewhere in west/central Nebraska. I may venture toward Mt. Rushmore or the Black Hills, and eventually I will spend some time on the Niabrara River in northern Nebraska. 

Onward I go. Peace, Watson

Lafayette, Rain, Food, Alcohol, and Art

 When I set my itinerary for this six month journey, it included only occasional gentle rains. I am a wimp. California high desert cooperated, Phoenix cooperated, Colorado has not. As I stated in my last post, I moved into Julia's home last Wednesday with the plan of moving back into Minnie in a day or two. Ha! The rain kept coming for the next several days...ducks arrived on the street too... that's how wet it has been. Finally, this past Tuesday, I moved back into Minnie. Living together in close quarters came with both laughter and challenges, amazing meals prepared by Julia, and more than enough alcohol consumption. Maple, who we are quite sure is pregnant for real, has not been feeling well, and having Willow in her home has likely not been helping. But we made it through, and I am happy to report, we are all doing well. 

Neighbor Saxon is a trained cheese chef aficionado with a stash of cheese in her freezer that needed to be used. Julia invited her friend Lynne to join us for a fabulous fondue dinner. It was amazing as was the company. Lynne's husband is a well known artist, David Foley, and Julia has one of his paintings in her home. You may know of him from a gallery in Scottsdale and Santa Fe in addition to Colorado (and I'm sure others.).Here is the painting in Julia's home. 

Lafayette was a coal mining community, and has a plethora of historic homes and a historic downtown. In addition, Lafayette is home to many artists which is evidenced throughout the neighborhoods and downtown by the abundance of sculptures and murals. I have a number of photos of the murals; however, there are over 80 in Lafayette...possibly I'll find them all before I leave? 

Julia flew to Detroit to meet her daughter, Zetta, who is in law school in Ann Arbor. They are driving back to CO where Zetta has a summer position with the DA's office in Denver. Yes, she's impressive as is her sister, Marcella, who is in the peace corps serving the Zulu nation in South Africa. 

Willow and I moved back into the house this morning to ride out yet another 2 day storm system. I will be camping at Cherry Creek Park on Sunday and Monday...forecast is sunshine...please, please be true!

Peace, Watson

Journey to Lafayette CO

 As promised, here are a couple photos of the Benhart B&B. 

I drove to Mancos CO Sunday and stayed at Riverwood RV Resort which is situated right on the Mancos River in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains. It was a beautiful spot, a small resort, and I will likely return someday and spend more time. The river was raging with the snow melt from the San Juan Mountains. 

The resort sites are back in at a diagonal. I was tired and I hate diagonals when backing up. Pretty quickly Dave showed up in his golf cart and said, "Do you need some help?" Obviously, thank you Dave. I hooked up the electric and water and spent a lovely evening walking Willow and relaxing. It was a cold night, so I set my heat at 62, so I wouldn't be freezing when I got up in the morning. I woke up that morning and the heater was running, but the air that was blowing was cold. Duh. It is essential to turn on the propane for heat and the stove...I threw a jacket over my Walmart Jammies...think Kmart blue with multi-colored polka dots...stylish I am not when I sleep...anyway got out and turned on the propane without anyone seeing me; thus, preserving my vanity. 

I drove on through Durango and stopped at Pagosa Springs. I smelled it before I arrived. That sulphur smell that made me think, "Did I forget to turn the dang propane off?" Not that the smell is the same, but something was stinky. Pagosa springs is known for their hot springs...I believe I read they are the deepest (in the country?) So Willow and I meandered along the San Juan river where there are hot springs bursting from the rocks. There was a resort across the street with a bunch of people in bathing suits and or robes (were they the nudists?) and they were sitting in small pools and some people would go back and forth from the river to the pools. It all seemed a bit strange to me. I wonder if I could have worn my Walmart jammies since I did not bring a robe? Anyway, some photos for your enjoyment. 

This drive was long and beautiful. I took highway 160 and eventually connected to 285. I stopped for gas in a small town...$3.25 a gallon thank you very much...and I considered not cleaning my windshield, but in the end, I did. Huh...my driver side wiper was stuck to the windshield. I soaked it a bit and pulled it off and it basically fell apart. Yes, there was rain in the forecast up ahead, but I could not find a service station in that town, so I continued onward with my eyes peeled. At the junction of 160 and 285, sat a sweet service station advertising tires and batteries. I pulled in, and the young man who managed, or owned, the station, stopped his work and asked if he could help me. 10 minutes later, and $60 dollars poorer, I was back on the road with the best pair of windshield wipers I have ever owned. I didn't get his name darn it. 

I arrived without a hitch in Lafayette CO, met Julia in the alley behind her house and pulled right in to her neighbors large parking area which is to be my homestead for the next few weeks. Linda, Julia's neighbor, had electric and water for me to connect into, and a nice fenced backyard for Willow to play. So sweet and generous! Thank you Linda...it's the perfect spot. 

Willow and Maple, Julia's golden retriever, are doing well together...Maple gives Willow space and seems to realize that Willow is slow to trust. Maple has fertilized eggs floating in her uterus and soon they will attach and she'll be a puppy momma at the end of June. I will attach a photo of Julia and Maple soon. I am so grateful for the people in my life who welcome me and share their space. I've known Julia since 6th grade...she tells everyone I can kick a ball as high as the four story school we attended...that's how she remembers me. She and I were both new in that school, so a bond of sorts was formed which has become a bond of sisterhood these past 12 years or more since we met again at a class reunion. Thank you Julia. I love you to pieces. 

Last night, a storm rolled through around 11PM complete with hail, lightning and thunderous thunder. Willow was vibrating on high with fear...the hail sounded like Thor was throwing baseballs, fast pitch, at Loki, and missed. We made it through, but there is another storm coming this afternoon, so I have moved into Julia's house for the day and night. Julia's backyard neighbor (more about Lafayette homes soon...many are 2 houses on each lot) Saxon is fearless. She climbed up the ladder to Minnie's roof and I threw a packing blanket to her which she doubled up and put over the 3 skylights in the back. Then she laid on the blanket and I threw 4 heavy stones up to her...yes, one at a time...and she put one on each corner of the blanket and deftly climbed back down. She was quite adamant that I was not the one to perform this task...I did not argue...let the young ones do the climbing! LOL. Thank you Saxon!

Willow and I are hunkered down inside Julia's sweet home and will be 'riding the storm out' like REO Speedwagon. 

Peace all, Watson

The Benhart B&B and Successful Surgery for Carol

 I appreciate the prayers and healing thoughts that have brought Carol through surgery successfully and she is out of the ICU. Carol, Brian and Zack named the tumor Abbie Normal...that is their great sense of humor at work. The kidney she had removed 6 years ago was Kevin. They know how to make it through the tough challenges they have faced together. So, her oncologist says it appears she can go home soon and rehab there while they create her treatment plan. All good news so far and hoping for pathology results tomorrow. Hallelujah!

I am parked at the Benhart B&B in North Scottsdale...it's a paradise inside and out, and I am so grateful for Brad and Deb and their unfailing hospitality. Their dog, Izzy, has welcomed Willow without a hitch and Willow is very comfortable here especially in the backyard desert oasis. Photos to follow...slight lag in technology. 

I believe I will make my way to Lafayette CO starting on Sunday. Likely I'll camp a couple nights along the way, but if I make it to Durango the first day, then I'll go on to Lafayette the next. I'll take mostly highways vs freeways to take in the beauty of AZ, NM, and CO. The journey resumes. 

Peace and love, Watson

Twists and Turns

 Camping at Lake Perris was not as nice as Silverwood, but the lake and surrounding area were beautiful. I spent three nights there and have photos to share; however, I need to get ready to go back to Phoenix this morning. Carol's symptoms from the tumor increased, and she is having surgery today. I must be there. 

Peace, Watson