Eastward bound.

Today, I compose this entry from the parking lot of a Bass Pro Shop located in Portage, Indiana, where we spent last night. This portion of our 3rd Great Big Adventure has turned out to be quite anticlimactic and I am finding it difficult to compose an intelligent post while feeling so blue. Poor George has been surviving my less-than-upbeat mood since leaving Colorado and as much as I try to rise above it, I'm finding it too difficult of a task at the moment. I know "this too shall pass," but until it does, life is stuck in the slow lane.

I hope the folks who take the time to read what I write find my usual publications interesting and my "Deep Thoughts" somewhat thought-provoking and I hope they can also understand my present predicament of being temporarily uninspired.

A fellow blogger recently published a video on the feeling of "disconnect" while living full-time in an RV. He explained how, although you get to experience the excitement of all the new places to which you travel, you give up the familiar connection with the place from which you came, such as familiar roads, stores, friends, family, etc. I'm not sure if that is exactly what I'm feeling, but I presume time will tell.

The open road does gets lonely at times and you lack the ability to visit with a friend, grab dinner at a favorite restaurant, or run into a grocery store that you can maneuver with your eyes closed. The familiar, although boring at times, turns out to be a comforting thought once away for a long period of time. Even coming upon a Post Office or a Walmart hundreds of miles from home are welcome sights.

I was going to title this entry, "Homeward Bound," but decided to settle for "eastward bound," because anytime we are out for a long day, I always refer to our return to Little Miss as "going home." Home is wherever George and Lucy reside.

Below are a few photos that slipped by the wayside and failed to get posted - each one is most worthy of recognition and a place of permanence within my blog. 

Enjoy.

Colorado girls' first sleepover.

Nina with her "Meema" Lobster - happily getting a bit more worn for wear.

Breakfast of champions!

My Little Chef - she makes the BEST scrambled eggs.

An interesting RV. A Chevrolet Champion.

From the School Fair. I thought it was so adorable.

Overnight stay in Hannibal, IL. Lovely park.Deer Creek RV Park.

Under the table we have her bed and her travel bag. This is Lucy's position once the key is turned in the ignition.

Deep thought for the day:  “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”  ~  Alexander Graham Bell

Boulevard of Love

Major stop #2 along our 3rd Great Big Adventure found us in Monument, Colorado, which is one of the two closest RV parks to our granddaughters, Nina, Lola and Emma. This campground was a better fit for us opposed to where we stayed last year. This was a quiet, serene and woody park that provided us with a  soft spot to land every evening. The only negative comment I would mention is that we could hear the endless hum of traffic on Interstate 25, but it only turned out to be a monotonous sound that soothed me to sleep (when sleep was had). 

First sight. What a welcomed one...

Seeing Lola for the first time in a year!

Mommy with Emma, who needed a bit of time to remember us.

The time we spent here was a whirlwind of fun, laughs and even some tears. I couldn't believe how much all three had grown since this same time last year. The Face Time chats helped with the progression of change, but it pales in comparison to seeing them (and hugging them) in person.

On our first Saturday, the girls slept over in Little Miss and we had a full evening of crafts, snacks and a movie - Underdog! The next morning, Nina and I made bacon, eggs and waffles for breakfast. It was such fun working alongside of her in our limited-spaced RV kitchen. My little girl is such a mature young lady and has accepted the responsibility of "big sister" in an admirable way.

Mani/Pedi Time

Last year when I visited, I got the opportunity to take each of the girls, separately, for a "Special Day" day together. This year, we repeated that tradition with Nina going first. Our initial stop was to a nail salon, because Meema was in desperate need of a pedicure. From there, we hit the stores at the Outlet Center and then went out for dinner. The evening ended with a visit to Smart Cow for a "make your own sundae." Papa George really liked Smart Cow. 

Shopping with my glamour girl.

The following day belonged to Lola. After a haircut we shopped around at Target, had dinner at a local pizzeria and squeezed in a stop at Smart Cow before heading back home with her bag of goodies. Papa George is loving Smart Cow.

Pizza was her choice of food for dinner.

Loving this little beauty...notice the writing on the wall above our heads.

Lola - and a double rainbow!

Thursday found us picking Emma up at daycare and whisking her off to the hair salon for her haircut. She sat very still and was so well-behaved. 

Poor Emma has been suffering with a really bad "owwie" on her knee. She did a fine job skinning it, not once, but twice and just looking at it makes me cringe with how much it must hurt. Special Meema powers helped to get the old bandage removed, which was actually causing more problems, opposed to helping. Lots of love, gentle cleansing and magical re-bandaging helped nature takes its course.

The pain from her "owwie" was diminished by a fun day in the Target toy aisles. Other shoppers were smiling at her and her comments as she went from aisle to aisle, talking up a storm. This was the most I've heard her speak since being here! 

After much time narrowing down her choices, we headed home with her booty and took a nice long nap. While she slept, I assembled her little doll bed and had it all ready for when she awoke. I filled the remainder of her nap time with folding a mountain of laundry. Three little girls sure do accumulate a lot of dirty clothes.  As I folded it all, I couldn't imagine how my "single-mother-daughter-in-law" gets it all done. My hat goes off to her and I'm proud of how well she balances such a full plate. 

Still waking up from her nap.

Remembering that she got some goodies!

Dinner that night was Chinese take-out and afterwards, we made our last visit to Smart Cow. Although it was Emma's turn, she didn't mind that her sisters came along for the fun. After the third trip, but Papa George finally got tired of Smart Cow.

On Friday evening, we all went to the Clear Sky School Fair. Memories from the NC Crew's School Fair assured me that it would be a tiring and exhausting night. Up and down stairs, in and out of the building, around and about the interior - searching for little girls' rooms, locating the kick ball field and playground, and then back inside for more games, games, games found me dragging and eager for a chair and a glass of wine. It was actually a fun night and I even passed my 10,000 goal on my Fitbit. Returning home, it dawned on me that Meema/Grandma needs to get into "School Fair" shape before the next one if she wants to see happy, smiling faces.

Here are a few snaps of the fun. 

Nina smacking the lever with a heavy hammer.

Lola, next up for a bean bag toss.

Happy Emma, getting pushed by Papa George.

Lola enjoying the ride.

Seriously considering the strategy for this game.

"I'm not too little to play."

Saturday brought us to the girls' second sleep-over in the RV. While in Walmart earlier in the day, Papa George bought the DVD, Jungle Book, which was to be the main feature for the night. The morning began early (6:30 am) for us retired folk, and after a repeat breakfast spread, we had fun in the playground and completed an arts and crafts project of bead-jewelry making. 

Lucy survived and everyone had fun.

On Sunday evening, the visit inevitably came to an end, but not until after showers, baths, teeth were brushed and books were read. Extra-special Meema kisses were planted upon three beautiful little faces and I bid my sad farewell, until next time. It is always difficult for me to walk out the door and away from the apartment.  The ride back to the RV was long, dark, quiet and blurry. 

Meema, Lola and her American Girl Doll that looks like her.

Jewelry making in progress.

A smile to melt your heart.

Bejewled...

Deep thought for the day:  Boulevard: noun, a broad thoroughfare; a monumental link between important destinations.

Arriving at major stop #2

Interstate 70 is an interestingly beautiful ride from Utah to Denver. At times, it is rough, bumpy and challenged us with elevations over 11,000 feet, but it provided us with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains and lead us to a soft landing spot in Monument, CO.

We pushed Little Miss to the limits and "idiot" lights began to shine and alert us to a over-heating engine. Thankfully, we were near Vail, so we knew we could find help, if needed. George was able to get her safely off onto a shoulder of the road at the top of one of the higher elevations to rest and cool off. The Rocky Mountains were a test that Little Miss passed, but ever so slightly. We made it safe and sound, but it was unnerving to think that we could have had a delay so close to our "Major Stop #2."

Colorado River flowing westward

Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel - Traffic light on an Interstate - a first for me.

After passing over the Continental Divide- the Colorado River flowing eastward

I've heard of a Town without Pity, but never No Name.

The views were were treated to made up for the scare, and we arrived - safe and sound in Monument, Colorado, where we will spend the next few days visiting four special girls - Nina, Lola, Emma and their mommy, Meily.

Deep thought for the day:  Huge mountains may separate us, but Little Miss (and I) will always find the way to you.

Just before publishing this post, I received the sad news that two former colleagues passes away on Monday, September 12.  

All of us, regardless of whether we are "The Greatest" or a pauper, make an indelible mark on all those whose paths we cross. May all your words be kind, may a smile be upon your lips, may love reside within your heart and may all the impressions and marks we leave on others be ones that are warmly remembered.    RIP: Bobby Williams and Kathy Marrone.

Springville, UT to Grand Junction, Colorado

Our stay at the Springville/Provo KOA came to an end, but I had to snap a couple of interesting photos before bidding the area a fond farewell. I loved their entrance sign, which consisted of five elk in various, natural positions as well as the beautiful mountainous backdrop.

All hooked up and ready to go.

 

We left on a beautiful day and the ride from Nevada into Colorado was an enjoyable one. The La Sal Mountains gave way to flat land before we began to see the Rocky Mountains in the far distances - bigger, more beautiful and majestic.

Orange and green plants, along with bare rock, make up the colors.

Fall colors.

Many interesting formations of the La Sal Mountain Range

 

The road cut through the rock.

The end of the La Sal Mountains led to flat open land with mountains in the distance.

A pit stop for lunch was enlightening. A huge tractor-trailer parked next to us and a young woman, probably no more than 28, tiny, with bright, pink hair hopped out of the cab and walked over to the rest area. It was just a sight you don't normally see, but it felt great to see a woman working in a field that is typically considered a "man's job." It proves that there are so many ways to make a living if you are brave enough and determined enough to think, try and do.

After she pulled out, another truck pulled into the same spot and I had to snap a photo of the truck (not the driver) due to the door having my name written on the side. When I was about 8, there was a  plumbing company's truck named after me and I remember feeling so special. So, it was fun to see a truck sporting my name once more, because the plumbing truck was sent to the scrap metal shop years ago.

Entering "Colorful Colorado"

Bland looking sights changed quickly as we approached the Colorado National Monument.

Retired, he has all the time in the world, just not enough quarters to sit for too long!

Our first day here, Sunday, found us walking the streets - of downtown Grand Junction. We meandered in and out of the few stores that were open after stopping for lunch at a really cool place where everything was freshly made from local produce, herbs were grown on site and baked goods produced on premises.

Lunch at La Sol Cafe on Main.

Joe M. Lacy, the City Manager from 1950-1967. The man responsible for the "vision."

Sea Horse

There are about 30 outdoor pieces of artwork that are located on corners, in small courtyard parks, in front of buildings and some that pop up unexpectedly as you walk down the street. Main Street reminded me of old time Peekskill, with all the original buildings that used to house the shoe, clothing, leather goods and mercantile stores. Thanks to the forethought of Joe Lacy, Grand Junction's City Manager from 1950-1967, the buildings of downtown have been saved, revitalized, restored and continue to be vibrant and useful. The area is full of art galleries, restaurants, up-scale clothiers and gift shops. It goes to show you that thinking ahead pays off.

King of the Frogs

Woman protected from the cold.

The Asian Girl

The Mercantile Building - now an upscale clothier.

Notice address - 523-1/2. There are a lot of 1/2 streets and addresses here.

Notice sign after sign outside each store. All occupied and thriving.

Eye-catching, but not sure of its depiction. Burmese or Indonesian, perhaps?

Playing with water - my favorite.

On Labor Day we took a ride to The Colorado National Monument, which is part of the National Park Service. Canyons have been cut into sandstone and granite leaving behind spectacular views that take your breath away. The Monument is part of the Colorado Plateau, which is desert land. There were Junipers, Pinion Pines, Yucca, Prickly Pear and Serviceberry in abundance. The Monument hosts wildlife such as red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, blue jays, bighorn sheep and coyotes that, sadly, we didn't get to see.

Partially man-made formations.

They claim to only have two and a half tunnels (?)

We were finally able to get someone to take our photo.

Lunch on the rocks.

Making George nervous as I posed on a rock outcropping.

Used that camera setting once more to get a close-up of a prickly pear.

Amazing canyon view.

"Cold Shivers Point."

"Falling Rocks"

Windy at times.

Independence Monument, the famous spot for climbers.

Enjoying the view.

Another tunnel

Amazing how after the initial blasting, it is totally hand chiseled and "picked" clean.

Balanced Rock. Defying gravity and logic.

Our last day here in Grand Junction was spent touring a few wineries. All of my "wine(o)-buddies" will be in for a treat when I get back to NY and FL.  

George so excited to go, he's ahead of me....a rarity. Love my "DD."

Graystone Winery's Tasting Room

Grand River Winery Tasting Room

Talon (my fav) and St. Kathrn's Wine Tasting Rooms

Well, I can declare that at least I had a fun day. George, my every-ready Designated Driver, was probably less than enthused or excited. I went into the day with a splurging budget and after the third winery, he suggested I buy a case. It turned out to be my favorite of them all, so I did....ugh...budget busted...wine tour complete. The verdict: George 1 - Vicki 12, plus 2......lol
 
Deep thought for the day:  A rock is a rock is a rock - not. A wine is a wine is a wine...definitely not.  


All my wine(o) friends - we have some serious tasting to do. ~ vc