Pueblo River Walk

It was a bookend kind of day.  We awoke to rain and we ended our day with rain.

Can't even see our mountain through the rain

  But in between we had a wonderful, sunny, warm afternoon strolling along the River Walk in Pueblo.  We ate lunch by the water and watched people and dogs stroll by.  The restaurant we chose was next to a erratically spurting fountain filled with laughing kids trying to outsmart the jets.  What fun they were having.

Beautiful mosaic depicting the great flood that devastated the business and industrial center of the city. 

On either side of this mosaic, carved into panels of shiny black granite, was the story of the Arkansas River, its floods, its eventual diversion, and the part it plays today in the revitalization of Pueblo's Historical District.

I took some great pictures of these panels, with Dave and I reflected in them, but of course, I can't get them to take up residence on this blog.  Sorry.

We were impressed with this area.  It is such a well thought out and well executed public area.  Places to laugh and talk, places to walk and reflect.  Views that lead you from one place to another.  Soft curves everywhere, nothing harsh or sharp.  Many different levels to hold your visual interest, beautifully tended flowers and plantings. Many places to sit - some in the sun, some in the shade, made from all sorts of materials at all different heights.   A selection of small  restaurants, from pizza to bakeries,  cool drinks to fine dining.  Drinking fountains set for adults, children, and dogs!

Bridges over the River Walk were part of the  vision

Fountains and the sounds of water everywhere

interesting rock benches

our lunch spot across the water

After lunch we walked up and out of the River Walk area and followed the sidewalks on some of the  surrounding streets.  Once again, everything was beautifully maintained and/or rennovated.  Flowers everywhere, brightly colored awnings shaded storefronts and smooth wide sidewalks.  No meters for parking, a gift from the city.

As we drove through this area the other day, I remarked that I'd love to stroll around and look in the shops and restaurants the next time we came through.  Today we had time to do just that, but were quite surprised, at first, to find that most of these beautiful little shops held used book stores, antique shops (think second hand shops) barber shops, small toy stores, etc.   Low rent kind of places.  We gradually realized that this city was trying very hard to revitalize their historic district and protect its beautiful buildings.  I don't know where the money came from to plan, build and maintain the lovely River Walk, or to rehab these old buildings.  I do know that we wouldn't have looked at them twice if they were empty storefronts, so I guess the "low rent" places serve to get people in the door, to help the city climb back up the ladder.

We enjoyed our time and left a little bit of our money there also.  Mission accomplished.

I think the "Phil" is quite the entrepreneur, don't you?
Can I get you a pint while I flush your radiator sir?

A nice day

Mountain Bluebirds, Bullock's Orioles, Western and Cassin's Kingbirds, Red Tail Hawks, hummingbirds, and Red-Wing Blackbirds provided a colorful backdrop for our morning coffee/tea ritual.  It was lovely sitting outside  Beluga in the fresh morning air watching the aerobatic show as the birds chased their meals, or simply sat on the wire fence next to us to rest.

After lunch Dave thought 18 holes sounded good, so we drove about a mile to a small, local golf club called HollyDot.  They were so nice and very accommodating to us.  We didn't need a tee time, just "come on over when you're ready", and they didn't charge for me to ride along.    Dave thought it was a great little course, not easy, but not too hard.  It was obvious that they hadn't seen rain in a long time, the ball bounced on the fairways like it was hitting the cart path!  The cart path....hmmm, what can I say about the cart path.  "Path" as exactly what it was, not paved, just a rutted, dusty, suggested path to follow.  Good thing the golf cart didn't have much power or we'd have been thrown clear many times!    Dave played very well and we both really enjoyed our afternoon.

The mountain in the background is none other than our own  Greenhorn Mountain.  We see it from our campsite everyday and love to watch the sunlight and shadows  play on it.

Fantastic put - you'll have to enlarge this to see the expression on his face!

the course alternated between very open, sunny  land and huge cottonwood trees along a small stream.  Their shade was very welcome on this hot hot day.

No crocs, no Sandhill cranes, just these Canada geese sauntering around

On our way home, we drove on past the campground to see where the access road led.  Perhaps half a mile down, it turned to hard packed dirt.  We continued on for quite a while past the stream, lined with willows and cottonwoods and through a couple of white stone bordered arroyos.  I wonder who lives in this teepee?   It was the only "house" on the entire road.

Grrrr

Some weather is on its way tonight.  Sasha was on her toes for our entire cocktail hour!  Between the distant thunder and the couple from in front of us walking their beautiful cats around the campground, she was on high alert and wouldn't leave us alone.  Sigh....

We had planned to explore Pueblo today, but we got a late start due to some on-line credit card issues....Grrrrr.  I really try to do a good job with these on-line bills, but Citicard certainly makes it difficult at every turn.   My blood pressure shot through the roof and I turned the whole thing over to Dave.  He handled it like someone who ran a couple successful businesses and knew the drill.  Thank God for Dave.

After lunch we finally were free to drive the 20 or so miles into Pueblo proper and locate the historic district. Not enough time to park and walk the area along the river, but it looked interesting enough for us to plan another trip up on Saturday.  The heat is supposed to break then and the stroll should be a lot more pleasant in 80 degrees instead of 100.  We picked up a few groceries on our way home.  Much better selections in the big city but  boy, do I ever miss Wegmans.   You get used to a certain level of product, take it for granted even.  Its always shocking to see what other stores sell as fresh produce and meat!

I took this from the bridge.  The area looks interesting.  Nice use of their downtown resources.  

this large bronze was outside the Professional Bull Riders headquarters, yep, we're in the West.

BCA on the 4th

Calm, quiet day for the 4th.  We didn't do a d amn thing except read and nap.  Ho Hum.

I had some nice emails from friends and family today.  Tom sent pictures of the lake, Jesse, a picture of his day, Judi filled us in on her celebrations and it was great to hear from Tracy too!  Cindy P shared their evening  on the 3rd of July at Conesus Lake, so its almost like being home...except hotter with mountains!
Also had a great phone conversation with Dianna Jenkin, the woman who got our Guiding Eyes for the Blind dog, Pilgrim.  Pilly's gone now, but Dianna and I keep in touch.  She's a wonderful person, I wish we lived closer because I think we'd spend a lot of time together (She and her husband live in Canada).  We're kindred spirits, the two of us.    She's decided it may be time for another guide dog and is thinking of getting a Standard Poodle this time!  Our lives intersect once again.  She wanted advice and any info. I could give on finding a guide dog school that trained standards.  I wish her the best luck.

We had a cook-out tonight.  Dave had to do a little high altitude adjustment to our cool grill, but the chicken turned out perfect, crusty on the outside and juicy on the inside.  Nice job sweetie!

After dinner and dishes, Dave and Lewis played their nightly game of ball.  This is the only picture I could get  of Lewis relatively still.  Most of the shots showed Dave with his arm in the air and a big black blur that was Lewis.....such fun in the cool evening air.

We sat outside by candlelight and shared a bottle of wine as we pretended to watch fireworks.  Nature's fireworks were pretty outstanding...

Missing the Ring of Fire

Here it is July 3 and we're not enjoying the Ring of Fire on Conesus Lake for the first time in I don't know how long.  We miss all our friends, the lovely warm evening, the booming, echoing light show, the great conversations, the good food provided by everyone, the wine, the smell of exploded fireworks, the hot bonfire and flaming marshmallows, the laughter, the candles, all of it. 

Its not our lake, but it was a pretty spot on this hot, hot day

I had nice conversations with Barb Sturm, (Happy Birthday!) and Cindy/Walter Pond this evening.  Cindy, Walter and Geneva were trying to keep the tradition alive at 4975 by dipping strawberries in Grand Marnier/sugar and building their own bonfire.  I know they enjoyed the fireworks.  Thanks guys.





We're still in Pueblo (Colorado City) Colorado and won't see or hear any fireworks tonight or tomorrow.  Its a good thing.  Fire in any incarnation is a bad thing here.  Its terrifically windy tonight but the temperature has cooled off nicely and we're enjoying the fresh air instead of stale air conditioning.  Thunderstorms are dancing all around us, but I doubt we'll see any action.

I spent a good portion of the day figuring out where we'll stay in Seattle and when we'll arrive.  It took longer than I expected to find accommodations, evidently summer is a busy time for campgrounds.  Previously, we only traveled during the spring and fall, and never ran into completely booked parks.   Summer is a different animal.  Another challenge.

Happy Holiday!

Gotta stay flexible!

  We were scheduled to move on north this morning.   We didn't move north towards Denver, we moved about 200 feet to the south into another site where we can stay until next Sunday.

We've decided to stay put because I wasn't able to find a campsite anywhere within driving distance for the coming week.  Who knew it was the 4th of July holiday!  I guess its easy to forget those things when everyday feels like a holiday.  At any rate, we'll stay right here til the rush is over and then move north, through Denver and on west towards Utah.  I like this site much better than last nights.  Its on the end of a row with expansive views and a nice, grassy side "yard" for the dogs to luxuriate in.  Its been quite some time since they had something soft to walk on.  Sasha is in her glory...she flops down on her side and nuzzles her face deep into the green, green grass.

So, we'll enjoy our holiday here and see what there is to see in Pueblo, Colorado!  Its not the lake, but the mountain views are pretty nice.  I'll  be thinking of all our friends who've shared so many  wonderful July 3rd parties with us in the past.  Dunk some strawberries for me, will you?  Oh, and enjoy the fireworks for us also.  We won't be seeing any here - strict fire bans in effect for the whole state.

 Our plans are always evolving, depending on weather, fires, storms and just our personal feelings at any given moment.  Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah looks like it won't happen this year.  Timing, fires, and their full RV park are conspiring against us.  Who knows what the winter may bring, perhaps our "soft" plans will change again and we'll find ourselves there later....stay tuned.

Reflections on Taos

We enjoyed our last morning's coffee and tea outside in Taos and broke camp by 10:30.  As we drove away and the familiar landscape began to drop away we talked about our feelings and impressions of the area.  Tao's physical beauty and history cannot be denied. Taos Pueblo has been inhabited for more than 1000 years. The mountains are spectacular, rising from the high prairies.  Because of the wild Rio Grande, Taos is much greener than Santa Fe but  shares its artistic temperament.  

However, Taos seems to be filled with free spirits.  I'm all for the freedom to be, the freedom to do, the freedom to experience, but sometimes these freedoms produce things that I'm not so crazy about.  Wild, unkempt "precocious" children, loose, unneutered, bandana festuned dogs and messy homesteads sprouting gardens of used up "stuff".  No worries man....

The recommended drive along NM 522 to Colorado was beautiful.  Ours was the only paved road.  Signs told us we were driving though free range and to be watchful for cattle, horses and other animals in or near the road.   The strong wind was, once again, or traveling companion.

driving past Blanca Peak, 14, 345 above sea level

As we crossed into Colorado, the scenery seemed to change from what we had come to think of as the southwest, to the west.  The dry, dusty mesas turned to rocky mountains with tall pine trees.  The houses changed from the adobe of the southwest to the more peaked roof, log homes of this area.

we ate lunch on a wide, paved pull off

Ah, I see what this pull off is for....glad we're here in the summer.  

We decided to stop at Colorado City, about 40 miles south of Colorado Springs.  We don't know what to expect ahead, with the fires only 50 per cent contained, so we thought this would be a good place to stay the night.

view from our campsite at Pueblo South KOA

Sasha is so happy to have thick, cool grass again!

guess what Lewis and Dave are looking at....

gin and tonic time in Colorado

Yep, this is what the "boys" were watching!  The woman and her husband came out of their motorhome with two beautiful kitties on leashes and walked the whole campground.