Bloggy World With-drawl

I have been missing you, my sweet bloggy world friends! I have so much to say, but my world has been revolving way to fast for me to sit in front of my computer for more than moments right now. 

We are having a wedding in our family in a little over two weeks! YAY!!! We are so excited! But I must tell you, that I have been one busy girl with many things! I have a Mary spirit by nature, but I have been acting like I am a Martha to the bone!!! I have a magnet on my fridge that says, "Martha doesn't live here!" but things are looking good enough here these days to invite Ms. Stewart over! 

You see, I have been going through everything! Absolutely everything!!! Not because there is a wedding, but because it just had to be done! My shoulders could not take another day of my piles not being sorted, closets being purged, drawers and cabinets being straightened! 

The wedding and all of our joyous preparations for that are only a part of my busyness. 

I am looking forward to getting to the end of this makeover season and get back to sitting at the feet of Jesus again! It has been too busy and I feel as if I am missing too many wonderful things that He might be wanting to teach me! 

The wedding is October 10th. I left right in the middle of our trip ... perhaps I will just leave it there, or perhaps I will come back with stories about the wedding, or perhaps I will come back with a message that I hear from my sitting position at the Lord's feet. Whatever the case ... I will be coming back as soon as possible! I miss all of you so much! Please remember me!!!!

Blessings to all,

Cheri

Top Of The World/Double Rainbows

We pack our things, once again preparing to leave the Comfort Inn.  Steam rises from the cup of coffee as I make my way to the car. My chariot awaits. Once again I spy prince charming in the parking lot coercing our trunk to shut.  

We leave the city of West Yellowstone, Montana. The morning air is brisk hinting that fall is on its way. 

We could spend a week here and never tire of the majesty of Yellowstone. We could live a lifetime here and never exhaust its surprises! 

A fly fisherman wades through the creek that weaves its way to the left of us. He gracefully casts his rod expecting a catch. He is not the first we have seen, there have been many, but I am caught up in the beauty of his sport. Wonder if I could do that? I realize my limitations ... I do not have the grace for it. So,  I remain an admirer, a star-struck observer, completely absorbed in the performance. 

Buffalo block our way, more concerned about breakfast than our presence. We stop, Scotty takes pictures. I ease my way back to the car. I know they are not really looking at me, oblivious to my presence, but they are intimidating. I watch from inside the chariot. 

We move on.

Our drive takes us past the boiling puddles, springs, and ponds. Rising steam forms clouds that embrace the ground. We are enchanted by its beauty. Wildflowers lace the edges, smiling while enjoying their morning sauna. 
Animals peep out here and there. A bald eagle swoops down to the creek delighted to find his breakfast. We are like children at the zoo, thrilled with all that we see. 

We leave the park and head to Highway 212 which will take us to The Top Of The World. Scotty begins a new song:

"I'm on the top of the world, looking down on creation, and the only explanation I can find, is the love that I've found, ever since you been around, your love puts me at the top of the world."

Snow remains in the crevices of the mountains. We stop the car, he makes a snowball bringing it to me.

Do you feel closer to God in the mountains? 

Do they make Him seem more believable to you? 

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever." Psalm 125:2

I stand on the precipice meditating on that verse. 

The Lord is surrounding me, embracing this moment of time, protecting, fathering, loving, caressing. 

Our hearts reach for more of Him. We have been inspired. We bask in His presence listening in the silence for His whisper. 

Tourists come disturbing our pause. We climb aboard our chariot, prince charming at the wheel and Miss Daisy with my floppy hat blowing in the wind, we continue our ride at the top of the world. 

The Top Of The World connects Yellowstone Park to the city of Red Lodge like a dot to dot color book. We stop. We explore. We eat at an Irish Pub. A grandma with two cherubs sharing her table sits behind us. 

We savor the pub's entrees. Everyone in town seems to favor this place. It overflows with local folk filling up on the noon hour. 

We linger a bit in the village then head on our way. Our next dot to reach is Billings, MT then on to Wyoming. 

We stop at the Battle sight of Custer's Last Stand. The Custer's romance intrigues me. I purchase Mrs. Custers book. He died when he was 34, leaving her behind, a 32 year old widow. She lived a very long life never remarrying. She was loyal to her husband to the end of her days refusing to go on even one date. They had a deep love with staying power. 

Storms in the mountains can be fierce. It compels us to stop and wait for the rain to calm before we continue on our way. The sun begins to shine, a few sprinkles dance in its glow. A double rainbow with vibrant hues like fire pierces the sky. We pull over enjoying the spectacular show. 

Tradition reminds me to ask for a double portion of the Lord's blessing on our lives. Double rainbows have inspired this tradition.  I breathe amen and we head on our way to the Comfort Inn in Buffalo, Wyoming for the night. 

We come upon a terrible wreck. Minivan upside down, burned. Firemen, policemen cleaning the road.  I praise the Lord for the unexpected stops we have made. Stops for rain ... stops for rainbows.  Did they prevent us from being involved in this tragedy? We are sobered by the sight. 

We find the hotel cloaked in a beautiful Wyoming sunset, check in and head to our room. We are quite weary. We turn in calling it a day!

Until tomorrow!

Cheri

Mesa Falls, Idaho/ Yellowstone National Park

I am speechless!

My words will be few! The power and beauty displayed here bring words to mind like, awe, majestic, exquisite, pristine, and turbulent. Yet they pitifully fail to describe it.  The awe of the places we explore literally  stirs the fear of the Lord in my heart. 

Pictured above: Mesa Falls (near Ashton, Idaho) and Snake River that it falls into (above). It is truly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen! You can feel the spray as the water pours over the falls. Photos fail to portray the glory  of it. It is one of my very favorite places in the world!

 I wish you could hear the sound! It drops over one million gallons of water each day into the Snake  River creating quite a roar! A bald eagle soared over the waters while we gazed. 

A scenic drive will lead you to this incredibly breathtaking location.

Above: I am standing in front of steam rising from the craters in the earth's crust. Below: Yellowstone wonders! The erupting  geyser is called the Beehive Geyser. It is bigger and erupts longer than Old Faithful which we were waiting for. The guide said that the Beehive only goes off every 15 to 22 hours. Old Faithful followed its eruption within about 3 minutes. It goes off about every hour depending on the day. 

The Lord led us to this marvelous sight with impeccable timing. We so easily could have missed the Beehive eruption. It was the blessing of a double portion. I am still celebrating it!

Pictures from Yellowstone below:

Tower Falls, Melting Paint Pots (very, very hot), Beehive Geyser, buffalo (Scotty took this picture. Our car was in the middle of their herd.),  and The Kepler Cascades.

Scripture says that creation speaks of our God so that we are without excuse! His fingerprints are visible here. 

For now~

Cheri

Searching For Favorites

The sun is slipping away, we are reflecting, "What was your favorite today?" 

We search our thoughts remembering:  

waterfalls, a violin recital in the park (we were uninvited guests), museum featuring Titanic memorabilia, restaurant with alligator tail sandwiches (in Idaho?), jazz band accompanying  a couple dancing resembling The Notebook characters Noah and Allie, serene river walk around the park in Idaho Falls, 

and try to decide on the one event from the day that is our favorite. 

He shares first, "The little cafe in Malad City, 
Idaho was my favorite!" 

"Really?" his answer surprises me. 

Malad City is a little tiny town that boasts of a museum on road signs along the highway. I plead to stop. 

We have a lot of miles to cover. Do I think it will be worth it? 

"I don't know, but I just want to explore ... " I respond to the Practical side of us. 

 I was thrilled when he took the risk,  driving off the highway, onto the ramp, and into the town of Malad!

It took all of five minutes to scope out the town. The museum, small, abandoned for the day, made us question the embellished road signs that caused us to drift into town. We did not feel let down that we missed it. We crept down the main drag looking for something that would make this detour worth our while. 

"Are you hungry?" 

"Is the sky blue? Is the grass green?"

Every time he inquires my stomach growls! He hears and smiles!

 Where to eat? Little cafes, barbecue stands, at least two or three, provide options.

 "Eenie, meenie, minie, moe ... this one or that one?" Hmmmm ...

The Dude Ranch Cafe on Main Street draws us in. 

We step out of our now and back our past as we step over the threshold of the little cafe. Faces stare, stricken with the wonder of where we came from. They are all unfamiliar to us, yet strangely resemble folk we knew in childhood days. 

We are aliens here. A mystery.

We both grew up in Small Town, USA, so we recognize the wonder that we have stirred .  

We discern their thoughts as we smile toward their stares. 

"Wonder where they're from?" 

"Are they new to town?"

"Wonder if they have a church home?"

"Do you know, is that the new couple that bought the Miller's place?"

Beef tenderloin, mashed tators, and green beans are the special for the day tasting like the ones once served in grandma's kitchen. I catch a glimpse of a piece of pie that is delivered to the booth across from me.

"Do you wanta share a piece of pie with me?" he asks.

"Is the sky blue? Is the grass green?"

Intuitively the waitress knows we have a story. She lingers hoping we will share our adventure. Before she is ready, duty calls her away, leaving most of our story untold. 

Our forks tangle as we savor the best coconut cream pie available in the state of Idaho as the cafe echos with chatter.

We leave the little village knowing we are a mystery to this community. They will be talking about us for awhile, until more new faces are lured into town by pretentious museum signs. 

"Why was that your favorite, Babe?"

"Because it felt like home," he speaks gentle words laced in reflection. 

I agree.

"What was your favorite today?" he turns to search my heart with tender eyes.

"Being with you! I just love getting to be with you! That is my favorite!"

We head for the Comfort Inn when the sun sets and ease into another night of slumber.

Tomorrow we will head for Yellowstone National Park. With every mile our love for adventure and our love for each other deepens!

Tonight we sleep in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where the sky is blue, the grass green.  

Nitey, nite!

Cheri

Pictured: The Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah. ( Just passing through and checking it out.) ~ Violin recital in the Park at Idaho Falls, Idaho. (I loved this!)  

Serendipity

Scotty serenades me with love songs from the 70's, with sweet, tender, sometimes quirky words that he confirms by the sincere look in his eye and the tender stroke of his hand. We feel like teenagers on our first date, falling back into first love.  He has learned to be romantic over time, I have learned to bask in these moments.

One of my favorites songs, on his continual loop of oldies is:

"You stepped out of my dreams and into my heart, now your my angel delight. Your sixteen, your beautiful, and your mine....."

I pretend it is true! All true!

We are leaving the majestic state of Colorado. We have explored to our heart's content. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. I am torn with the leaving. Emotions grip my heart similar to the ones I feel while embracing a loved one, who lives far from us, when we have to part for an extended time. I feel the pull of wanting to stay but needing to go. We say farewell to Colorado and look forward in expectation. 

 Welcome to Utah! My preconceived ideas about this state are put to shame within miles of driving over its border. I had visited part of Utah years ago, leaving without a very good impression. Barren roads, stretching for miles did concern me at times. We were alone, really alone for miles. "What ifs" rolled around in my mind until I commanded them to lie down and be still. Every now and again we would happen upon a beautiful city but there always seemed to be long stretches of barren highway between them. 

We finally reached Park City, our first Utah destination. Mountains groomed for skiing and gorgeous lakes, ideal for boating and fishing, surround this little community like grand villas of a nature. Movie stars are attracted to this oasis in the dessert like bees are to flowers. Scotty anticipated bringing me here, knowing I would love it.  

Quaint, upscale buildings line the twisty, curvy town that is nestled on the side of a steep hill. Up the narrow streets or down the narrow streets were our only options. Literally. Finally we found a place to park and began to wander.

We entered very few shops, though there were many, all beckoning us to stop in for a short visit. As quaint and as cute as this city was, though, something about it was unsettling. The beauty of the lakes and the mountains could have lured me into staying, but this town had not been tamed. Lingering here would be like riding an unbroken stallion. We were a bit uncomfortable and soon ready to leave. 

Psalm 119:110-111 "The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever. For they are the rejoicing of my heart ... "

Our brisk pace down the sidewalk was halted with a moment of serendipity. Scanlan~Windows to the World was the name of the gallery that was responsible for our abrupt halt. The storefront was plain, the shingle simple, but something about this place said "welcome". Scotty followed me in the open doorway and soon we were caught up with awe over some of the most beautiful photography we had ever seen in our lives. Framed masterpieces lined the walls, massive photos that took us on a world tour. I would have loved to have brought one home, but I would never be able to make a decision, choosing a favorite, a must have. Would I pick a photo taken in England, France, Greece, Italy, Spain ... ? I loved them all! So I left them all behind ...

I had to make a purchase in this amazing place. I wanted to remember this stop. My purchase was small and would easily fit into my car, two boxes of gift cards with some of the photos on them. The cards are breathtakingly beautiful, therefore my heart continues to wrestle with wanting to share and wanting to keep. 

If you enjoy beautiful photography, you should definitely visit their website. It is not the same as being there, but you will not be disappointed either.  Address: www.scanlan.com. Please tell them I sent you! I perused the gallery so long that I am sure they will remember me! Please don't tell me if they respond with, "who?". Please let me know your thoughts!

The sun was beginning to set and we had not finished our journey for the day. Back in the car, we headed on to new highways. I was whispering thank you prayers as we were winding our way through the passes, heading for for Salt Lake City. 

"Lord,

Thank you for a sweet husband that sings love songs to me ...

Thank you for beautiful scenery that seems to bring healing to my soul ...

Thank you for photography that has captured the beauties and wonders of the world ...

Most of all, thank you for making me Your daughter, filling me with Your abundant life!

My heart beats with gratefulness!"

We found the Comfort Inn and  then made a quick run to the biggest Wal-Mart I have ever been to in my life. It was so big that there was a double decker parking lot. We parked on the top level, found the entrance and had to take an escalator down to get to the store. When leaving, you take the escalator and your cart rides beside you on it's own escalator. Okay, I am a country girl and this was all new to me! We did not hang out very long, within minutes we were up the escalator, back in the car, and on our way "home"  for the night at the Comfort Inn. 

We turned in early. It had been a long, wonderful day. Scotty drifted off to sleep first, but his little tune refused to be quieted. It perpetually serenaded my thoughts, gently humming, finally lulling me to sleep. 

. 

Thank you for riding along!

Blessings,

Cheri

Pictures taken in Salt Lake City, Utah. My contribution to Windows to the World!

Family History

 In the wee hours of morning, somewhere between midnight and three a.m. an idea for a poem woke me. Our son Caleb is marrying a beautiful girl in October. Verses about her beauty as a bride kept floating around my head, sonnets dancing a ballet. Graceful arias stirred me with thought, I rose from my nest to capture them. 

Verses so graceful that flitted and floated in my head were quite clumsy as I tried to fasten them to the page. Perhaps they were not meant to be tied down.

Now wide awake I remembered the meteor shower that was supposed to begin in the very early morning hours. I shook Scotty from sleep and he agreed that we should find a place to park in the hills and watch for the heavens to give us a demonstration of its awe-inspiring wonders! 

Winter coats on, top down on the car, faces fixed on the night sky we sat in the stillness and waited. Light would trail from the sky as we exclaimed, "Ohhhh! There was one! Oh, over there! Did you see that one?" When we thought we had seen the finale, lights bursts in the heavens. Quietness followed a spectacular show and we knew it was time to head to the Comfort Inn for a little nap before breakfast. 

Next stop, Meeker, CO. 

We entered Meeker just as it was trying to shake itself from slumber. Have a feeling that most of Meeker missed the meteor shower, or perhaps they saw it and were sleeping in. The hotel was open so we stopped in for a look see. Right away I saw what I wanted to see. My great-great grandmother and her two children's pictures were in the lobby of that hotel. Underneath the picture was the story about her in a framed article from the Greely Tribune that she had written herself. 

My g-g-grandmother was in the White River Massacre in the year 1879. Married at the age of 12 to a man, Mr. Frank Price who was 22, while on a wagon train. She and Mr. Price were living and working  at the indian mission when the massacre occurred. She was 16, and he 26. They had two children.

I have heard varying reasons for the massacre, but my grandmother's account said that the indians were stirred because the government was sending in so many soldiers to the fort. I also heard that my grandmother's husband, Mr. Price was plowing up their horse track so that they could farm the land. His plow is in the museum.

The indians kidnapped the women and children because they feared the women's God. It was noted in one of the newspapers of the museum that the indians knew that the women's God was looking after them. They were afraid that they would anger Him if they brought physical harm to them. Abuse was not mentioned in her article, but the family is aware that there were abuses that she refused to speak of. It would have brought too much shame on her family to mention the atrocities that she and her children endured. She was young, too young to be single or to remain single for her entire life, so she did not tell all.

My grandmother's children May (4) and Johnny (2) were also taken. Here is a quote from her story taken from the book, Meeker-The Story Of The Meeker Massacre And Thornbugh Battle September 29, 1879, by Fred H. Werner (pg. 99) Chapter: Mrs. Prices Story:

 

"When we arrived at the camp that night a squaw came and took my little boy from the horse and cried over him like a child. I dismounted and sat down in Pursune's camp. I wasn't at all hungry, and when they offered me coffee, cold meat and bread, I could not eat. After awhile Pursune's squaw got over her weeping, when they talked and laughed. All I could understand was when they repeated the soldiers' names  and counted the number of men they had killed at the agency. They said they had killed nine. At first they said they had killed ten but I told them different, as I thought that Frank (her husband) had escaped. They asked me how many, and seemed to accept my statement as correct. 

They spread out some blankets for me to lie on, but I could not sleep. The moon shone very bright and everything looked ghostly. In the morning I went to Pursune's tent and sat by the fire. I was cold for I had nothing to wear except a calico dress and shoes. I sat there weeping ... I could not help it ... with my little boy in my arms. The squaws came around and talked and looked at me and laughed and made fun of me. I didn't understand what they said, only occasionally a word. After a time some of the men came and talked to the squaws and looked at me and laughed ..."

Above is an a brief moment of her experience. At the time of her capture she believed her husband, Frank to still be alive. He was actually the first one to be killed.

I was so excited to see the photographs and her framed testimony on the wall of the old hotel, I quickly made it my mission to find the hotel curator. She was in the adjoining coffee shop. She was unaware and unimpressed with the historical account of my grandmother, which was kind of a disappointment. I was hoping that she would say they had met! I know! Not possible, but you know, something significant like that!

Big Elk, Deer, Bison, and Moose shared the lobby with my grandmother's memorabilia. Teddy Roosevelt had hunted the area sojourning here a few years after the massacre and had staying in that very hotel. The sleeping zoo was proof that there were some big animals in the area when my g-g-grandmother was living here

We left the hotel heading straight for the White River Museum looking for anything that might have anything to do with my g-g-grandmother. Scotty was very good at spying articles from different newspapers, photos, etc. that were about her and the other captives. 

It was almost noon by the time we scoured every point of interest we could find in Meeker, so we headed on for several hours of driving making our exit from the beautiful state of Colorado. 

This was very emotional for me. It was very strange. We had visited Meeker 16 years before. Suppose I was distracted by the kids, all five at the time, and don't remember feeling any despair. 

My grandma remembered her. She had heard the story many times through the years. 

My great-great-grandmother was named Saphronia Ellen. Most of the accounts recorded in several books that include her account refer to her as her Mrs. Price. 

Saphronia married again after the massacre. I don't know how she got to Oregon but I do know that she married a lumber jack that lived there. She was pregnant with their first child when a tree fell on him and he was killed. My great-great aunt Rose,  came into the world never knowing her real father. 

Eventually Saphronia married my great-great grandfather who had just came over from Germany. They had two children, the youngest being my great grandmother. 

There is a picture in the museum of Grandma Saphronia with all of her grown children and their children. My grandmother, Donnalee is a baby in the picture. When Scotty and I walked in the museum the curator asked if I was in that picture. Tell me folks, do I look THAT old? 

The White River, pictured above, winds its way through that territory continuously. My grandmother had a book with the story of my g-g-grandmother in it called The White River Massacre that she used to pull out and tell me about when I was little. Saphronia's picture in the book is beautiful. I would love to have known her! I would ask her a bazillion questions. 

Our day began so early, so I am going to pause here as we are leaving Meeker, with us leaving Meeker around lunchtime.

Tomorrow we will be leaving Colorado as we head into the beautiful state of Utah. Salt Lake City, ready or not, here we come! First we will stop at Park City, Utah where I discovered one of my very favorite places. I can hardly wait to tell you about it!

Sorry that I cannot get you to the Comfort Inn today. Soon! Very soon!

Praising the Lord for peace!!!

Blessings,

Cheri

Pictures: 1st Row: Outdoor plaque at the Historic Meeker Hotel, established 1896. 

2nd Row: Inside lobby of hotel, pictures of my great-great-grandmother and her two children at the time of the White River Massacre. The framed article that she wrote and was published in the Greely Tribune hangs below the pictures. ~The Meeker Hotel from a distance~The White River.

3rd Row:Grouping of pictures of my great-great-grandmother, Saphronia Ellen Price, with her children and other captives at the White River Museum in Meeker, CO. ~Marker at the Massacre Site.

Silverton/Ouray

Morning broke with the dawn. Soon we were strapped in, latte in hand, ready to  begin our ascent to Silverton, CO. Beauty oozes from every crack, crevice, peak,  and stream of this narrow trail to the heights. I was so distracted by the aura of this place that I nearly forgot to be afraid.  

You cannot tell from the picture but we are very high up. There is a deep valley below with a babbling spring running through the valley below. 

Fire swept through these mountains sometime in the early 1900's and destroyed all of the trees. The people of the area began to plant the trees back. Can you imagine the courage it took to trek to around and over these peaks to plant trees? We were beholding the fruit of their labor!

All the way there I kept saying, "I want to live here! I love this!" Scotty's practical self kept me grounded.

Silverton is a quiet little town that seems to have lost its bustle! Little country shops, B&B's, coffee shops, etc. line the main street. It is easy to imagine women in long dresses with their parasols, men in their cowboy gettup, and children at the counter of the general store begging for penny candy, with horses and wagons lining the streets in this little village. 

A train from Durango will gladly transport you to Silverton. It takes a whole day to do the round trip. Some friends of ours had experienced the train ride and discouraged us from doing it. The ride in our car was thrilling enough for me without rocking and swaying on the rails of a"rickety" train!

Scotty learned from his in depth research that there is cemetery in Silverton possessing very interesting headstones. We planned on touring through and witnessing this phenomenon for ourselves, but got so caught up with the rest of the town we totally forgot about it. For this reason we must return!

Winters are harsh in this mountain town causing most of the population to migrate somewhere else during the winter months. You have to be tough to stay! But it is easy to catch "the bug" to stay when the weather is as beautiful as it was the day we visited.

Silverton used to be a mining town. They used to say, "There's gold in them thar' hills and silver by the ton." We did not see any silver or gold there and we didn't have the patience to seek it out! There was fools gold for sale in nearly every shop! We left it all behind for the next guy!

After lingering awhile we were on our way to Ouray. What a ride! Even Scotty was woozy on this trail! It was downright eerie! We kept marveling at the pioneers and fortune seekers of the olden days! How did they dare to explore these regions with such crude means of travel and horrible road conditions? 

One of Scotty's patients had son that drove off one of the mountain passes. He told me this while we were driving. I was not comforted!

The waterfall at Bear Creek (pictured) forces its way through the canyon wall and plunges into the depths below. The grandeur of this site is veiled by photography. 

There is something about waterfalls that stir a desire to plunge into the canyon with them. Roaring water is inviting, promising adventure. After imagination wanders awhile, an awe settles over you as the reality of the power of water and gravity brings you to your senses. It is called a healthy fear of the falls!

Can you see the bridge around the corner at the very top of this picture? It used to be wooden. Later, at the museum, we would see a picture of a woman on the bridge with a team of six horses back in the early days. Terrifying! These falls pour into Bear Creek and you cannot see them from the road when you are driving. 

Speaking of bears ... do you know that bears still eat people? A bear had eaten a woman in Ouray the day before we arrived! She had been feeding a bear. He decided to bring some friends and have her for lunch. We did not know this when we were there. Hmmm.

We began our time in this little mountain town at the historical museum. We were educated well in this little haven of history. Every level of the old three story building presented a story. Beautiful quilts were the special exhibition, each one revealing a story of its own. 

We found an outdoor bistro beside a beautifully restored old hotel. The special of the day was a meatball sandwich and tomato soup. Perfect! We should have shared, but we both thought we were hungry enough to tackle it on our own. 

Seeing that hotel would have been worth the drive to Ouray. I would love to stay there someday, but it doesn't have the word "Comfort" in its name. Regardless of that fact, I am positive that I could make myself comfortable there. 

There was a little book shop in the hotel/bistro. Do you believe it? All of my favorite things in one place! I kept hearing Scotty giggle while I was perusing the shop. He was reading some hilarious postcards. I joined him and soon we were both enjoying the ridiculous humor of those photo postcards. We bought several trying to find the perfect one for everyone I could think of.

If you happened to receive one, I had your address with me! I hope you could read it, my mom let me know that the one she received was illegible. I scribbled them out pretty fast because I just didn't have a lot of time. Just know that I said all good things and be blessed! ; ) Sometimes you just have to go with "it's the thought that counts!" 

It was another beautiful day in Colorado! The average temperature on our trip was around 70. We called it perfect!

We thoroughly wandered through the entire town of Ouray. Scotty wanted me to buy raffle tickets to win a jeep promising, that if we won,  he would bring me back so that we could get it and bring it home. Should we return to Ouray soon, you will know that we won! 

Several hours passed and we felt we had exhausted our possibilities at Ouray and headed out for New Castle, CO. 

It was a beautiful three hour drive with the top down and the sun shining on our faces! Simply invigorating!

The Comfort Inn was waiting for our arrival in New Castle. We checked in and took the proprietor's advice and ate at the little diner just a ways up the street. She was right! It was delicious!

We will be leaving Colorado tomorrow with a final stop at Meeker. Have you ever heard of Meeker, Colorado? I have personal reasons for wanting to make this stop. I will share my story tomorrow. 

Until then ... I wish you sweet blessings!

Cheri