HOMECOMING – August 26

We woke with the reality that we were again coming home.  Our house keeper had moved out and the house was waiting our arrival.  We stopped on the way to pick up our car from the kids and learned that our family would gain another little one in the spring! 

Our journeys are always memorable.  With Covid 19 taking the world by storm, the nation being at unrest  and Rob’s health being what it is, this adventure carried with it an especially heavy load.  Somehow nature has a way of healing what nothing else can.  Life may have its challenges, but we have our family, our adventures and each other and that is all we need.

We look back on this trip and this year with so much to be thankful for.  The next days would be filled with load after load of clothes and food, replenishing and catching up - and life would go on, living the adventure of every day.

BACK IN THE HOOD – August 25

We were just an hour drive too far from home for a single day’s drive for our liking so we decided to secure a campsite at the closest state park to Charleston for our last night on the road.  Hoping the kids would come join us and enjoy a bbq and a campfire, we got on the road for an early arrival. 

Back in familiar country, we again took back roads on our final stretch traversing all the small towns of South Carolina.  We found a quirky farmers market – so unusual these days – along the way and stopped to grab a fresh vegetable or two.  Full of tomatoes, squash, pumpkins and a large supply of used baby furniture (?!), we got a full taste of being back “home”.

We checked into our campsite early afternoon.  As has been our routine, we found the closest trail and hiked what we could.  Being that the area had had a lot of rain, the path was covered or closed in numerous sections.  We did make it to the blackwater of the Edisto River where the water was again fully beyond its normal bank.

The kids decided not to join us as the forecast was bleak and it was a good decision because right when we returned to the site, the rain started to fall.  And fall – hard.  The wind kicked in for good measure and we realized our journey had in fact come to an end.  We had one last ritual night of drinks and games before retiring to the rain on the roof.

THE ATLANTA SLOG – August 24

We had choices about which way to turn as we approached the Georgia border.  Left would take us further north of Atlanta and into the beautiful Georgia mountain country where a right would expedite our timing and shoot us past Atlanta with a lot less mileage and wandering.  Given the now increased pressure of being so close to home, we decided on Atlanta. 

Our journey home was planned almost entirely around missing any cities along the way.  Finding them and their traffic stressful at best, we figured there just wasn’t any reason to torture ourselves.   That being said, Rob was a bit worn on all the back roads and we figured with Covid and being midday – how bad could it be?  Right.

Anyway, the day was about what we SHOULD have expected.  Atlanta is one of the worst cities in the south to travel through and this day was no better than any other.  The journey passed.  We fought our way through the fast paced and crowded highways without any opportunity to enjoy the day or those wonderful mountains just an hour or two north! 

Having succeeded on our quest, we finally came out on the other side to find that our options for camping were pretty slim.  The closest and most convenient campground boasted the birth of the confederacy.  Neither of us had it in us to endure that kind of energy or display so it was bypassed without much thought.  The next was poorly reviewed and we ended up making in all the way across the state, pulling into the Army Corp property at Strom Thurmond lake just shy of our home state border.

Despite having no cell service to secure a mandatory pre-registration, we fought our way through the continually dropped connection and worked out a site with the campground welcome staff.  Our site was one of the prettiest we’ve ever had.  The lake is large and pristine and the water was very high with all of the recent rains.  We were practically ON the water with a large site and an amazing view. 

I snuck in a couple miles around the campground area before the rain started coming down.  We pulled out the awning, our chairs and happy hour necessities and let the day melt away as nature provided a soothing balm. 

SURPRISE CAMPSITE - August 23

Today was our son’s birthday and proved to be a challenging day not being home in time.  We had decided we needed to slow the pace of our return from that of our trip out to Colorado.  Having weathered the journey so far with the snow, the fires, the medical procedure and the less than optimal health news, we just needed to slow it down.  I spent the day feeling the weight of that decision and being relatively close to home but not being there.

We moved across the state again without a final destination planned.  Deciding to take another secondary highway, we traveled through a nice area of the state and kept checking off our potential campsites for the night as we moved ever on.  We stopped at the first option for lunch and decided it was simply too early to call it a day.  Moving on, we checked the second one off the list when it was placed in the heart of a small town with far too many Trump banners for our comfort or pleasure! 

Despite our intended slow pace, we put a good number of miles in and finally settled on the Noccalula Falls campground having no idea what we’d encounter.  The park was obviously very well attended and popular with lots of trails and services including a petting zoo (although with no petting – ala Covid) and everyone’s favorite, a little train – conductor, whistle and all! 

The campground was actually quite nice and it didn’t take long to get settled and on the trails.  We wandered and wandered and found ourselves never sure of exactly where we were!  The trails were all marked incredibly well but as we traversed, we found that they changed without notice and we’d end up backtracking or completely disoriented!  No worries, we enjoyed it all and finally found our way to the park’s namesake Noccalula Falls which were not really “falling” much being the end of the season. 

We actually wandered beneath the falls only to find ourselves directly below our campsite but with a sheer cliff face between us and it!  Being adventurous and clearly not too smart, we followed two young women up the rock to the top.  Well, I say we followed them – we watched them find their way then spent the next half hour huffing, puffing and heaving ourselves in far too vertical a fashion! 

Not to worry – we are hear to tell the story!  Feeling pretty proud of ourselves and kind of giddy from the adrenaline, we pulled out the lounge chairs and the cocktails. We closed the day having pizza ala Matt who had prepared some amazing crusts for us to enjoy on our trip.  We enjoyed each bite as we toasted his birthday and talents and looked forward to our reunion just days away. 

ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI - August 22, Sardis MS

The rain came down in earnest through the night and was still pounding when we woke making disconnecting and packing up a very soggy affair.  We had packed up most of the exterior the night before but the power, water and sewer still needed to be done leaving Rob battling the elements.  Steve and Lucinda braved the downpour to come exchange contact info before we said our goodbyes and each pulled out of the park and onto the road.

The day brought a lot of driving without the benefit of a specific destination to head for.  Some times (most times, actually) we just look at the map, pick a route and see what happens.  This was one of those days.  Not really knowing what the area would be like and crossing into yet another state, we had no idea what we would find for a campsite. 

Especially after spending time with Lucinda, it’s easy to ruminate over all of our past mistakes as a country as we move through the south.  With cotton fields having just been harvested, the reminders are everywhere.  We crossed the Mississippi and entered its namesake state where we would find our campsite for the night finally deciding on an Army Corp property further down the road.

We got ourselves settled in our site after a few complications with hookups and reservations but ended up settled nonetheless and decided to head out to look for some exercise.  We unloaded the bikes and rode to a small park on the far end of the damn that the Army Corp was responsible for.  We had a fun hike on the “fitness trail” despite it being a bit run down and unkept. 

Having that checked off the list and energy remaining, we rode the loop over the damn as our return to camp.  They were performing a water release and there were a LOT of people fishing at the release site.  Apparently, the area is prize winning for its crappie fishing and from what we saw, it had to be true.  People were pulling fish up one after another!  We enjoyed the ride over the damn and managed to wear ourselves out in the process.

We had a nice evening barbeque and our usual games and called it another day and another chapter on our journey home.

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK Sept 20 – 21

We woke to a beautiful day.  I got moving for a morning hike before checking the status on sites at the National Park.  Right at 10am, we got the call that six sites were available and we started packing up right away.  We arrived to find a wonderful site with full hookups (that’s a treat for us!) on a quiet stream and facing a beautiful wall of rock.  Right away we knew we were somewhere special.

Since our first trip visiting 23 national parks, I have an undying appreciation for the uniqueness of each one.  These parks are one thing this country has done very RIGHT.  Being essentially in a city, though, I didn’t really expect to find all the wonders it had to offer.  We set up easily and waved to new neighbors arriving before hitting the trails.  There were dozens to choose from and we wandered from one to the next climbing to views and enjoying each turn.  We even saw our first priest and nun out for an afternoon on the trail!

Returning to the campground without yet making our way to the central springs area, we sat with a beer by the stream.  Our new neighbor wandered over and joined up and soon after his wife and life felt exquisitely normal again.  The weather was perfect, we were outside and safe but making new friends and the cares of the world drifted easily from our minds.

Steve and Lucinda are a wonderful mix of professional and down to earth and conversation flowed with ease.  Lucinda is full blooded Navajo and Steve works on the reservation providing endless opportunities to learn about a culture we sadly know too little about. 

We arranged to hike together the next day and all were ready at 10 with lunches packed and hiking boots on.  He hit the trail this time for the main attraction, the hot springs.  With the abundance of nature and the addition of fun conversation, the miles passed easily. 

The town of Hot Springs is a quaint collection of bathhouses, hidden hike trailheads and unique shops along the main promenade.  We wandered the town for a while and stopped for a cold drink before deciding we’d finish our hike on a back trail before getting serious with any otherwise distracting activity (a drink anyone?)  The trail was surprisingly upward once again!  How do trails always seem to have more incline than decline?  That’s not supposed to be physically possible, is it?!  We stopped on a perfected situated bench for our lunch before finishing the final leg.  Rob led the way and he and Steve maintained a constant flow of conversation – right down the wrong path!  Our original plan of 3-5 miles was already over 7!

Hey, we’re no lightweights!  I found an alternative route and we all thrilled at the sight of a Biden banner in someone’s front yard!!!  You have no idea how very comforting that was after traveling the past week with “the competitor’s” flags flying in near every homestead!  That in itself was worth the detour!  Back in Hot Springs we stopped for another beverage before starting the climb back to the campground.  We stopped on the way to “feel” the hot springs, disappointingly all that was available without an appointment.

With a final count of just under a ten mile day and plenty of elevation, we got back to camp and collapsed in our chairs.  For the next few hours we each pulled out assorted snacks including Lucinda’s wonderful homemade pico de gallo.  We tucked ourselves under the awning as a light rain fell and ate anything close at hand while enjoying each other’s company for the next several hours. 

Tired and satiated, we parted ways with our exits planned for the morning.  It was a highlight of a day and stay at Hot Springs, a most welcome release from all things Covid and Rob’s pressing health concerns.  We settled in for the night after indulgent long showers (sewer connections are a treat!) marveling at being in just the right place at just the right time.

THE SCENIC DRIVE Sept 19

I even wonder myself if I’m obsessive!  I spend so many hours each day poring over maps and apps to find our next campsite, trail possibilities and travel plan!  I swear it borders on irrational!  My father loved all things directional – any time we were anywhere he would stop and determine which way was which.  And specifically!  West, northwest or whatever!  Anyway, I give him credit for my love of maps – but I’m not going to blame him for the obsessive part!

I had found this scenic drive through the Ozarks and had my mind set on finding a way to drive it without going too far our of our way.  All for naught, on our exit from the state park, our path didn’t accommodate and all my lusting over “scenic highway 1” was left behind for a nearby route through the mountains and finally into Arkansas.  We had hoped to get to Hot Springs National Park but knew we’d have a tough go of it on the weekend so picked an Army Corp property just 20 miles away or so.

With Rob’s senior pass (a proverbial gold mine, all you folks over 60!!) we get a 50% discount at any national property – this included national parks, army corp properties, national forests, BLM land – you name it!  We had headed out early in hopes of catching the National Park site so we arrived well ahead of normal check in but landed a wonderful site in the Arlie Moore campground and wasted no time getting settled. 

With a lovely lake surrounded by rolling hills, there was ample room to spread out.  We hiked the interpretive trail and enjoyed all of the facts posted along the way.  I have a new appreciation for the loblolly pine tree for one!  We also checked out a few of the other campsite loops before returning to ours.  With a lot of dead wood around, we easily gathered all sizes to build a nice fire for the night, always a highlight for me.

That evening we also learned of the passing of our dear friend Sue who had been battling lung cancer for many years.   She’s the one we waved to through the walls at the cancer center just a week before.  Bob called with the news.  There’s not much that can be said.  Another warrior gone.  But we were glad she didn’t suffer and are proud to have called her a friend.  We raised a glass in her as the campfire burned.  

ONE MORE DAY IN O-K Sept 18

Writing this I’m starting to feel like there’s nothing much to even record that anyone could care about – each day with 4 hours on the road, a new park, dinner and a game or two.  It’s definitely been a different kind of trip.  With Covid being what it is and with health issues and house issues at home calling, it seems that the effort isn’t adventure as much as just accomplishing the miles. 

That being said, though, Rob and I are having a strangely wonderful time despite the relative monotony of each day.  This day started and progressed pretty much like the last four – except it was Friday.  Weekends for campin during Covid has presented a whole different challenge.  With everyone reigning their circle in, camping has been one of the safer ways of getting out and staying safe.  And weekends mean that families are free and campgrounds are very hard to come by.

We knew the direction we needed to go but near everything I checked was booked so it took some creativity before I found Lake Wister State Park at the entrance to the Ouchita National Forest area between OK and AR.   We found another network of great back roads and had a smooth trip with one exception – coming face to face with a double wide trailer being moved!  You never know what you’re going to find on smaller country highways!  Rob saw the lead vehicle top a hill and said “they usually are ahead of a wide load” right about the time we crested the hill ourselves at 45 mph and THERE IT WAS!  With some decisive braking by both parties and some expert driving as well, we cleared!  Yet another thing to be watchful of added to the list!

We made it across the balance of the state as the dry plains made way for rolling hills and finally the Ozark Mountains and arrived relatively early to get to our site with a wonderful view of the lake.  The area had been hit with 13 inches of rain two weeks earlier which washed out the entrance to the campground and required a surprising detour through a mine and a long dirt road.  Rob’s not fond of dirt roads and this one was a prize winner managing to cover Moonshadow and mostly our bikes in a thick coat of dust!

Undaunted (it was Friday, you recall!) we made it to our campsite where Rob spent the next hour or so cleaning away the dust and I got our site settled.  We needed to stretch our legs and headed out for a hike with limitations due to the flooding damage.  The water level was still up significantly as we wandered over to the washed-out road to check it out.  Being on a damned lake, the water was released as much as it could be without doing further damage but seeing the evidence was a shocker.

Our neighbors for the night arrived while we were gone.  The father was a jovial sort and filled Rob in on all things goat.  He ran a goat farm and explained all the fun he had in the business.  He was a funny character and entertaining.  While he talked his wife and family busily set up their site with twinkly lights, corn hole and tent shelter – they were in for the weekend.  Being our single night campers, we don’t go through all those motions but have fun seeing how creative people get with their camp setups. 

We enjoyed a long talk with my brother in Alaska and mother in New Orleans laughing at all of our crazy adventures.  Rob played his guitar with the sun setting over the water, a special treat of a fire and the world becoming quiet, it’s not a bad way to spend a day’s end.

STILL OKLAHOMA - Sept 17

Yes, we still have several more days to go before we make it across the state.  Granted, we’re not moving at warp speed and we’re enjoying some side roads vs any major highway so we essentially travel at snail’s pace, but we’re making our way nonetheless.

Today is another 3-4 hour day on the road (which always translates to adding at least another hour!).  With nowhere left to explore, we got right on the road and headed in a more diagonal direction toward Oklahoma City where we had a site waiting at the Wes Watkins Reservoir County Park.  

Staying with our no highway policy, the park was on the outskirts of town and the roads to it were long straight stretches of good road – not a bad route.

The drive was pretty uneventful although, as would be expected, some areas needed some work and we got jostled around pretty good.  After one such instance we heard a new noise.  We both heard it – a weird ticking kind of noise.  And it seemed to speed up at times.  Then we’d hear nothing for a while before it would start again.  Sometimes there seemed to be a loud buzz.  This went on for a while and we were becoming not only distracted but a little concerned when it finally just seemed to stop.

This park required that we check in at the entrance but we didn’t yet have a site so we proceeded on.  We found a site and got settled but then needed to register so jumped on our bikes to take care of business.  With that out of the way, we did what we always do (it’s my fitness regimen, what can I say?) and started to walk. 

The park didn’t cover a lot of real estate although it had a nice lake to look at and wander from one parking lot to the next.  We walked from one to the next, from park border to park border and even found a nice bench to sit at and enjoy the water for a while. 

Returning to Moonshadow, Rob set us up for a BBQ while I got all the food together.  Sometimes Rob just needs the traditional grilled chicken, potato salad and baked beans all of which he says I do best (grin) so we took our time and had a feast.  

When the sun set and the cool settled in we retreated inside for a game or two.  When I went to get the games out, I found one that had gotten tossed during our earlier travels during the day and realized … “hey, Rob, was this the sound?!” … Catch Phrase, the hot potato style word game had been being jostled by the crazy road and the darn timer kept starting and stopping – the game essentially playing by itself!  So much for our mystery noise!

THAT’S A LONG PANHANDLE! Sept 16

 I had never realized how big Oklahoma is.  I mean, take a look at a map!  With the panhandle it’s almost the entire width of Texas – and THAT’S a LONG state!  I warmed up Moonshadow baking fresh muffins as Rob went to check on his new tarantula pals in the morning before we got on the road.  The itinerary was pretty much a block to the highway and 4 long hours driving a straight line to the end of the panhandle and a final slight right!

The day passed.  We watched the grasslands turn to wind fields turn to oil fields.  We pulled over for lunch in Slapout, OK with a population of 8.  Yup.  I think they were all from one house because that’s about all that was there besides a gas station – where they worked?  We never got out of the RV.  Just pulled over, ate lunch and were back at it.

After a stop for fuel and a couple groceries in Woodward, we backtracked a short distance to Boiling Springs State Park.  Each state has their own unique reservation system.  I got that figured out and managed to find a spot and we were settled by mid-afternoon.  The site was kind of high and dry so we didn’t set up much but got out to check out the park.

Wandering a myriad of essentially unmarked trails, we found our way what we think to be the perimeter of the park.  We covered a heart healthy trail, one around a quite impressive (albeit closed by Covid) swimming pool and mini water park complex and a trail to the North Canadian River which twists its way not only through the park but well throughout the state. 

We finally found our way, led by my first in person sighting of an armadillo to the namesake of the park – the Boiling Springs.  In an area designed and built by the CCC in the 30’s, it was laid out and presented very nicely.  The springs are your basic springs, really, bubbling away through the sand and definitely appearing as though boiling – hence the name, right?  Maybe anticlimactic but still work the hike.

Just saying - this is the spring - BOILING

Feeling spent from a long day on the road and a decent hike to stretch our legs, the night was spent without ado.  Dinner a few games of whatever was at the front of the game cabinet and early to bed, happy for another safe and successful journey toward home.

CAPULIN VOLCANO AND THE GRASSLANDS Sept 15

 It was strange but oddly calming to be back on the road again.  The pace of each day was our own and we had a couple thousand uncharted miles to travel home.  One day at a time seems to be the only way to go.

I thought Rob would play golf in the morning but he really wasn’t enthused about playing alone so we opted for a bike ride around the lake before check out time.  Rob was on watch for any wildlife because he was determined to contribute to the wildlife spotting wipe off board in the visitor center!  That wipe off board was a subject of conversation for days! 

We were on the road before noon and headed for a stop in northeast NM at the Capulin Volcano.  The ride was blissfully uneventful and we made good time enjoying the gorgeous scenery of southern Colorado and the buttes of New Mexico. 

The disappointment of the day was that the volcano was closed to all vehicles over 26 feet.  WHAT?!  Yup, that’s what they said.  It wasn’t terribly out of our way but I was excited to have our “family vacation” style experience to add to the books.  Undaunted, we created a picnic lunch and wandered the hike we could take from the visitor center. 

Hiking over large, sharp chunks of ancient lava flow, we walked the trail searching the surrounding area for any way we might hike to the top of the volcano (those Kramers never quit!)  We finished the short trail back at the visitor center hoping we might hitch a ride in a pick up – that didn’t work either.

There was a picnic area and another trail a short way up the volcano road but we weren’t supposed to walk on the road.  We decided to see if we could discreetly make our way on foot.  We were pleased to find it wasn’t too far of a jaunt and we snuck into the picnic area unnoticed.  Lunching on our pb&j’s, we were joined by several birds I had never seen before.  These birds had me baffled – looking the size of a blue jay with the look of a bluebird (kind of), I was transfixed.  (I have since discovered they are black throated blue warblers – they even sound exotic!)

The hike was another couple of miles and did the trick for stretching our legs so we gave up on the volcano and got back on the road.  The plan was to make it to the Oklahoma panhandle for the night.  Campgrounds of any sort are hard to find in this area but I had found a National Grassland picnic area just over the border that allowed overnight parking and we headed that way.

Arriving in Felt, OK we looked for the picnic area.  Google maps prompted us to turn on a road that, well, didn’t look like a road!  When rerouted, we ended up taking another road of the same description.  The town had a main street called Madison Ave (really?!) that was the only street with some form of asphalt.  The picnic area was at its end. 

We pulled into the ample parking lot to find a well-kept area with picnic tables, vault toilets and a horseshoe pit (sans horseshoes)?!  Anyway, the surrounding area was pretty desperately isolated and a bit eerie and we both had to consider our options before we got our head around actually spending the night.  

We set up camp and wandered around our new territory, really a nice spot intended for what exact use, we still don’t know.  We were taking it all in when the first tarantula came to check us out!  REALLY!!!  I’ve seen plenty of these things in cages and even a few as pets but … here?!  NOW?!  YIKES!!!!  It wasn’t much interested in us really and headed into the grass where we followed it to it’s hole in the ground.  Of course, this made sitting with feet on the ground or otherwise utilizing our feet on the earth’s surface a very questionable activity after that! 

That one wasn’t the only one we saw.  Another was the subject of Rob’s entertainment while I stayed happily inside and created dinner which we also decided to eat indoors…hmm.  To top off the surreal nature of our experience, at one point two kids (the only people we saw this whole time!) pulled up in a pickup to sell us fundraiser candybars.  Oh, and then the coyotes started howling … Seriously, who can make this stuff up?! 

We had crossed two state lines and had enough entertainment to cover a couple pages all in one day.  I’d say that we’re definitely back in our element!

THE ROAD HOME BEGINS at LATHROP – Sept 14/15

We got on the road after lunch and extended hugs.  The itinerary was short being that we had a late departure.  Cloos and Lidia were supposed to join us this first night on the road.  They were to ride their motorcycle down and then spend the night but they were called back to Wyoming so we were solo again.

The ride down to Walsenburg, CO was uneventful and pleasant.  I thought it would be a boring drive but was pleased to have continued scenery the whole way.  The smoke from the wildfires had cleared and the mountains, although retreating, were in clear view.  We arrived in Lathrop without fanfare and quickly got settled.

Of course my first order of business was to check out our surroundings with a good walk.  Lathrop sits on the plains side of Hogback Ridge that when climbed provides a beautiful view of several mountain ranges.  We hit the trail and enjoyed a little altitude climb to the ridge as well as the far expanse of the plains to the East. 

We climbed the William Henry Jackson spur trail to the top of the ridge.  Jackson was a photographer in the late 1800’s that documented many of the natural wonders of the US.  At the top of the trail, his original photo of the Spanish Peaks to the south is displayed at the site it was taken, a fun tidbit as reward for the climb. 

After a good hike and a bike ride to check out the adjacent golf course, we settled in the hot evening sun for a cocktail and a moment to reflect on all we had been through the last month as the sun set over the mountains.  With the sky clear for the first time since our arrival, I decided we should chance some stargazing after the sun was down.  We were treated to one of the best displays in any recent memory to top off another day to remember. 

SAYING GOODBYES - Sept 11 – 14

Wildfires burning in the mountains, Covid raging everywhere else – wandering has its limits these days.  Our younger son’s birthday falling in 10 or so days and the increasing threat of deteriorating weather were the impetus to get back on the road – not before some important goodbyes though!

Happy to move on from the less than welcoming Chatfield State Park, we packed up and headed back to Cloos’s for the first goodbye.  Rob and Cloos will always be each others’ best bud and we simply couldn’t pass nearby without another visit.  We got situated back on East Prescott Street and we all headed to meet Jacob and Leslie at  Honnibrook Meadery where they would pick up their car from us.

Jacob is an amazing beer brewer and creator of his own mead and we all agreed his was still the best!  We each had samplers and tried a total of near two dozens flavors of mead produced right there and enjoyed listening to the first live music we’ve heard (it was outside, mind you!) since Covid began. 

Jacob and Leslie headed home and we spent our last night with the Cloos’ basking in the hot tub and thinking of ways we might connect again before too much time passed.  With a final hike together on our fav trail in Castle Rock, goodbyes were said and we waved ourselves back down the road.

We had the day with Jacob and Leslie while the girls visited their father.  Having worked so hard on the first round through, we were content to just BE together.  With plans to celebrate the girls’ September birthdays before we left, we went shopping for gifts from us bonus grandparents.  Later Jacob and I did what we do – cook!  We did personal favorites and wiled the hours eating and a few games.

The next morning Jacob and I got back at it (cooking that is) for the birthday brunch.  Jacob produced some top notch eggs benedict with real hollandaise and I threw the mandatory heath bar coffee cake together one more time.  The girls came, we ate another ridiculous amount (yum!) and did presents. 

Monet was off again for a swimming date with a friend and Cozy stayed with us.  It was Sunday and it was the start of football season and it felt good just to hang like family so that’s exactly what we did.  Kind of an uneventful way to draw our visit to a close but oddly and wonderfully comforting. 

Of course no blog can adequately relate how special time with important people is, this one included.  The next morning the girls were back to schoolwork and Leslie was back to work as well.  We reveled in a few hours of time with our son, time so greatly missed all the months and months passing between.  Jacob turned us on to a “Ramen Chops” for lunch and we pigged out on yet more great food before the clock reminded us it was time to go.

And Moonshadow was mobile once again.

THE MEDICAL CHAPTER - AKA SNOW?!!!! Sept 7 – 11

 The reason why we made this mid-Covid journey had finally come to pass.  Rob’s very special specialist is located in Denver and he needed yet another medical procedure.  We chose Chatfield State Park as our residence for the week so we’d be within at least an ambulance ride if needed.  Arriving on Labor Day (parks are increasingly difficult to find campsites during weekends!), Jacob and family were beyond gracious enough to drive a car up to us for our use for the week. 

We arrived early afternoon and set up camp, surprised at how fun it was to go through our “motions”.  Pull out the awning, put the outdoor “carpet” out with the chairs, tablecloth on the table (with a candle of course!) – one of those rituals you create in these offhand lifestyles. 

The kids showed up soon after and we hung out in the hot, dry heat of the Colorado afternoon  before deciding we should head to the reservoir for a swim.  The family got in the car while Rob and I jumped on our bikes and we made our way across the lake to check out the swim beach.  Being the last weekend the beach was open, it was quite busy but everyone was doing their part while enjoying the beach.

Returning to camp, the family didn’t stay too long with an hour drive’s home and school/work the next day.  Also on the schedule was an approaching storm – snow they said.  It wasn’t too long after that the wind picked up and the clouds arrived.  We undid our “motions” and prepared for what, we did not know!

The next day was procedure day and we were due at the hospital at 630 am – a 45 min drive away.  Waking up at 5 we found the temp having plummeted and the snow beginning to fall.  We went from a 93 degree high to a 26 degree low in less than twelve hours!!!

The procedure went well and the snow continued to fall.  We were back to Moonshadow by early eve with pain meds in hand and the heat on full force!  That night and the next day were cozy.  Rob laid low, we watched two movies, played three games, took several naps and I even wandered out a time or two to stretch my legs.

Thursday we accomplished a doctor followup where we met a sweet older couple in the first stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions.  It is sad to think of all the lives impacted by this despicable disease yet it was good to be able to share some “rules of the road” and stories of hope with them.  In the end, I think we helped.

To add to the visit, we checked in on our friends Bob and Sue who we had missed this trip with covid and snow challenges.  Sue is also battling cancer and she and Rob are comrades in arms, so to speak.  With all of our missed attempts to connect, we had a great conversation from different rooms at the same cancer center!  She was there for tests before started yet another trial drug while Rob was in his .  We waved through the walls as we talked.

Following the doctor visit which brought its own challenging news, we caught up on grocery and sundry shopping.  It’s funny how a simple stop at Trader Joe’s for familiar groceries can bring me joy!  With some favorites in the bag we carried on to do some big city birthday shopping for our son before heading back to camp where we were hosting our niece for dinner. 

 came at 4 and we wasted no time getting on with happy hour!  With my brother’s amazing smoked salmon added to other goodies, the party was on!  Jojo works in the sustainable energy field in Golden and leads a fun, rewarding and diverse life.  She and boyfriend Michael had just driven back from Alaska together after a couple month Covid stay. 

We told lots of stories huddled in ever increasing clothes against the ever increasing evening cold.  Charleston friends Craig and Cindy now living in Denver joined our chilly surroundings for dinner of hot sweet potato chili and all the accompaniments – al fresco!  I kept the food and beverages coming and we all had a good time warding off the cold!

With the medical needs accomplished and more friends and family connections made, it was time for our final stops before the road home.  The weather began to improve as did Rob and we took a final hike before happily leaving this chapter of our trip behind.