Construction, Tailgaters, and Home

Early Tastes, Smiley Truck, Home Dinner

I didn't sleep much last night. I woke at 2:30AM to pee and couldn't get back to sleep fully. It was 4:30 when I checked the time on my phone, and Kev was awake. We decided to get on the road, which we were, by 5AM. There was no one in the hotel office so Kev checked out online. We stopped at a QT for coffee, and Kev picked up a few donuts. I had three bites of a cinnamon bun, one bite of a sour cream cake donut, and one bite of a blueberry cake donut, and I was done. Those bites gave me a bit of weird stomach for a while. I laid my seat back and took a snooze, very thankful that Kev could drive on cruise control while it was dark and traffic was sparse. I desperately needed that nap and was ready to make the switch around 8AM for the remainder of the drive. We stopped at Love's when we needed to fill up, gas was consistently around $4.19/gal. There was constant construction and constant tailgaters, which was so annoying. We made it home around 5:30, after popping into Aldi for dinner fixins. Kev cranked up The Chug for burgers, I got Brussels cookin', and we enjoyed a home-cooked meal after quite some time without. I unpacked and took a shower after dinner , cuddling up with Ted on the couch when done. Bed was by 9:30.

What a fun whirlwind our trip has been. Wrapping up nine days on the road, traveling through ten states along the route.  

Homeward Bound

Land and Sky and Fri Food

After nice sleep I woke around 5AM, got up to pee and decided that I was ready to get on the road. With Kev not being able to drive I wasn't going to linger and hit Denver's nutty traffic, or taking a chance and getting in after dark. We loaded up Sterling and were off by 5:30. There was loads of traffic already on the road and when we finally got out of city limits the fog was so thick it was like we were in a short-sighted tunnel. You couldn't see any lights of other cars, or truck stops/buildings on the side of the road. I had to slow to about 50mph. We made it to a Love's to fill up and grab some breakfast, me getting a bacon scramble bowl, which was yummy. It had eggs, potatoes, peppers, cheese and plenty of bacon. 

Kev ended up getting a little test drive in, while it was still dark out. There was no one on the road, and he could put the cruise control on and just steer, no boot on of course, just his sandals. He drove until light out, pulling into a rest area, and then we switched back, with me driving the remainder of the day. We made it to Kansas City MO around 4PM, check into our hotel room and then went back out to get our favorite Thai food for dinner. We pulled up and dang it they were closed due to a gas leak. We ended up across the parking lot at Qdoba where I had a steak bowl. Got back to the hotel for a shower, got in PJs and we watched Ted Lasso. Bed was around 9ish.

 

 

More Eating and Visiting

A Breakfast Visit

It didn't take long to get into a nice sleep last night, and I needed it. I did wake a couple times but overall slept well. I got up at 7AM and did puzzles before getting up and dressed. We were out the door before 8, making it to our breakfast spot called Eat! Food and Drink, where we were meeting friends for a nice catch up. I got a regular breakfast with scrambled eggs, which I finished, bacon, which I had one slice of, sourdough toast, which I almost finished, and hashbrowns, which I did not finish. We went back to the hotel and I did a little work before it was time to leave for my hair trim with my ol favorite hair dresser. Oh it was wonderful to see her and catch up on her life. She had just had a baby and got married when I was leaving so there was a lot to learn. 

Ol Fave

I left the salon at 12:15PM and went to my friend E's house where I'd spend the afternoon. She ordered small Italian sandwiches from Snarf's, a favorite Boulder shop, which we ate around 1PM out by her pool. Another friend was there for a little while and when she left I got a bit of work done before it was time to go pick up E's kids from middle school. When we got them back to the house E took me for a spin in her husband's new truck. It's a Ford Lightning, the all electric one. I didn't have any expectations since I don't know anything about trucks but y'all. OMG. It is SO fast. She stepped on it at one point and the force was so crazy it pulled me into the seat and threw her purse way to the back of the cab. It is nutty fast. 

Soup and Sammich

When we finished show-n-tell time we left to go over to our friend A's house, my old across the street neighbor that we danced with.We hung there until it was time to pick up a couple pizzas for the Kev, then pick up Kev, then take him over to his buddy's house where the three guys would have gaming night. Me and E went in to see their new home and then invited Kev's friend's wife to go with us for dinner. Us three girls went to the Relish, the food court place I went to lunch at yesterday, and we all got something different, the beauty of that model. I opted for the soup and sandwich shop, getting a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese. I gave half my grilled cheese to E and we had a great time just chatting and people watching. When done eating, we dropped S off then went back to A's house for some visiting until around 8:45. I dropped E off at her house and cruised back to the hotel. I was ready for PJs, tooth brushing and bed by 10:30.

A Dance and Eating Day

Breakfast and Lunch

I got up just before 7AM, dressed, and we went downstairs for a little coffee and some breakfast. I chose oatmeal for some stick to my ribs eats before changing and heading over to the the gym where dance would be. This was a new gym. The King Soopers that was directly across from my old neighborhood closed and the gym was put in, and it's NICE, and only $25/mo. My girls were there for lots of hugs, and a few tears, and my favorite instructor Carrie had a guest pass waiting. She played all the old songs, which, for the most part, I remembered, but OMG my body is not in cardio shape after over four years of no dance. I left completely spent and really could have gone right to bed. Instead, I showered, dressed and went downstairs where a friend and work colleague picked me up for lunch. We went to a neat place called Relish that was indoor pickleball courts and a high end food court. We opted for teriyaki bowls that were delicious. 

Snack and Dinner

When I was dropped back off at the hotel I went up to the room, did a little bit of work and then left again to visit with my esthetician, grabbing a hot chocolate chip cookie at the reception desk on the way out. She's now retired and a painter so we looked at art that she was working on, and I left with a small piece. We shared some fruit, and chatted for over an hour. I cruised back to the hotel, picked up the Kev and off we went to M and J's to see their new home and go to dinner. They moved into their new home a couple months ago and it is fabulous, with a fantastic view of the mountains. We sat outside and when J got home from work we went to a nice tavern where I had an awesome burger with sweet potato fries. After dinner we went back to their place, sat outside a while longer, I munched some granola as I needed something sweet, and we headed back to the hotel around 8. I was over the moon to get into my PJs, wash my face, brush my teeth and get into bed. Bed was by 9:30. This was the first day that I've been truly hungry for every meal. 

Pure BS Right Here

Let me end today by ranting about the most ridiculous sink layout in the history of construction. The Hampton Inn has a lovely hotel but tried to go sleek or modern with an angled faucet, and failed. The problem is that it's not long enough and the water dibbles into the very back corner of the sink. You can't fit your hands under the water stream, and you pretty much have to wad up a cloth and shove it in that corner to get it wet. It's seriously THE WORST user experience ever. There's an entire sink to be utilized but you can't. And then rinsing toothpaste etc from the other side of the sink is just  a practice in patience. This whole thing has me worked up and angry. 😂

Ye Ol Stompin' Grounds

Tues Morn at the Condo

I went to sleep with a good story at 9PM and was wide awake at midnight. I turned the same story back on and dozed off again. I did wake off and on throughout the morning, getting up at 7. I sipped my cuppa and did puzzles before making a repeat of yesterdays breakfast. Jammy eggs, bacon, English muffin. We planned our shopping well as we finished the eggs, bacon and muffins. I do love when things clean up nicely. I took a shower, dressed, and actually fixed my hair, we began getting the condo in check-out order. I did a little work and we began packing up Stirling around 11AM. We hit the road, me driving us through the mountains, which I was very nervous about it for some reason. It was very much like riding a bike though and we arrived at the Kia dealer, where we purchased Stirling in 2021. He would get an oil change and a looksie over as we continued the road trip. 

Fillin' the Cup, and the Tum

It didn't take them long to get the oil change done. We were back on the road towards our old stompin' grounds, making it to the hotel around 2:30. The room Kev had reserved wasn't ready so we got another room on a different floor. I ate a beef stick and a Babybel for snack, put shorts on and went for a mani/pedi at the place I used to go. When I made it back to the hotel it was 5PM and time to change and get to old hood for a neighbor dinner reunion. This is what my soul  has needed. This event kicks off two days of filling my depleted cup. There were twelve or so friends/neighbors that came and so, so wonderful to catch up on life. The little boy from next door is now 25, finished college and is an engineer, interviewing at Ball Aerospace. I had to include a pic of him because he has turned into a neat young man. Very much an old soul. Taco fixins were catered. I wasn't too hungry but enjoyed a beef taco and a chicken drumette, both delicious. It was hard actually leaving but we eventually did, getting back to the hotel around 9:15. Bed was around 10. 💖

 

Lovely Slow Monday

Monday Morning Stroll

Sleep was mostly good. I'd wake as I'd hear poor Kev opening all the velcro straps to his walking boot each time he'd get up from his spot on the couch. The couch kept him more in one position, and was easy to elevate his foot on the arm, so he is getting some rest there. More solid sleep happened in the early morning and I didn't wake until 7 something. I then lounged in the bed until just after 8 and it was decadent. No early plans or driving to be had so I reveled in the luxury of a slow morning. I sipped a cuppa and did my puzzles. We made jammy eggs with bacon and an English muffin for breakfast. At 10AM I got dressed and went for a nice walk among the Betty Ford gardens and around town. It was a stunning day. I got in just over 2.5 miles, completing my Gustav Klimt Conqueror Challenge, before heading back to the condo to take off my sweatshirt. That sun doesn't play around at this altitude. 

Afternoon Chill and Early Dinner

At noon I had a few Dot's Honey Mustard pretzel sticks and a handful of red grapes, grabbed a blanket and propped myself up in the bed, window open with a beautiful view of the mountains, to while away the day. I had word search to do, as well as my sketchbook and colored pencils to piddle with. I was certain that I'd nap on my only down day, but alas I did not. We opted for an early dinner at 5PM at our favorite Chinese place, it's been in Vail for 30 years. Kev wanted to try steamed pork curry buns, which I didn't care for. I tried half of one and peace-outed. I then had great Moo Goo Gai Pan with steamed rice for dinner. Back at the condo I had four Siete cookies, which are so good, you'd never know they were gluten and grain free. I got into bed just before 9PM, very ready for sleep. 

Keeping Afoot of the Situation

Climbing and then a Halt

Sleep was ok last night. I think I woke fairly often, or was in dreams most of the night, making me think I woke. I got up at 7 and sipped a wee bit of coffee before it was time to have some food, a great breakfast of eggs, bacon and an English muffin that Kev made. I then got dressed and we left to go meet some friends for their climbing. It was 39 degrees at the trailhead and the trail was straight up. I probably shouldn't have done it but I wanted to hang out and visit. The day was gorgeous. It was neat to watch Kev climb and to chat and catch up with the gang. On the last climb of the day, around 2PM, a freaking boulder came loose and fell on Kev's right foot. Our friends helped get him, and the gear, back down the steep trail to the car. We hugged our goodbyes and I hauled him to the Vail hospital where they did an X-ray and delivered the news that it was broken. He left in a walking boot and will need to see an orthopedic surgeon when we get back to Tennessee. We got back to the condo and had our showers. I heated the remainder of last night's chili for dinner. I was pooped from that crazy hike straight up and down, and the stress of Kev's foot, so wasn't into going to the store or cooking anything. I did word search until I was ready for bed, which was early.

Colorado Bound

Artsy Time and Car Picnic

Sleep came quickly last night, before 9PM. I got up to pee around 3:30 this morning, I think, and it took a while to get back into a nice sleep, but I did, and woke next at 7. I took a shower to wake myself up, since I was feeling a little weary. We had a bit of time to kill before we were meeting our artist friend to pick up an outdoor piece which I've named "Dancing Girl." I was so excited to see Mitch and get a tour of his workspace. We met Mitch first at an art festival around the Denver area many years ago, and have a few of his pieces. He uses found items, mostly junk bits, and then welds them together. He also uses a lot of colored glass and has a kiln to melt it together to make all kinds of fun stuff. We ended up taking another mask with us, both pieces tucked safely in the roof box, ready to go back to TN. We hit the road by 10AM, headed towards Vail. We ate chicken salad, a Babybel, and pretzels around 10:45.

Hello Old Friend

It was 6 hour drive but nice to see the big ol mountains again. It has been a few years! I was glad to go through some rain, after hearing about the terrible drought. We took the non-interstate scenic route up from New Mexico, going through Santa Fe. The clouds were lovely to watch, as we moved from blues to greys to very dark stormies. We filled up the tank for $4.45/gal in Buena Vista and cruised into Vail, going directly to the grocery first. We knew we would not want to get back out once we tucked into the condo. Kev really wanted chili, because history. Once we unloaded Sterling I put groceries away and got going in the kitchen. The one thing I forgot was vinegar, which is the KEY to a good ho-made chili. Overall, this batch could be served at the It'll Do Motel. It did the trick though and we shared some dark chocolate for dessert as we watched some football.  

 

On the Move

Big Sky Day

I first woke at 3:30 when I heard Kev awake. I asked if he was ready to leave and he said no, get some more sleep. So I did, until close to 5. We were on the road at 5:20, stopping at a Love's to top off the tank ($3.89/gal) and get coffee. I did my puzzles in the dark of the early morning, only truckers on the road with all their truck lights. I'm getting to that phase where the car lights of night and early morning aren't clear, and make me a little woozy. Kev says wearing my progressives will fix that but I don't wanna! 😂) The next fill up I was hungry so grabbed hard boiled eggs and a pack of cheese curds/sausage mix, which I shared with Kev. 

Across Arkansas and Oklahoma we went, dipping briefly into Texas where we stopped on the outskirts of Amarillo to walk around Cadillac Ranch. We then made it into New Mexico and kept on going, the sky and road lasting forever, until we made it to Albuquerque, around 7PM Mountain time zone. After the thirteen hour drive day we were ready to get some dinner and be out of the car. We ate in the hotel, both of us getting the carne asada tacos, which I had two of and gave Kev the third. We shared a wee square of carrot cake from Love's, the kind me and Ma used to rave about when I was a kid. It was so much better in my wonderful memories. I was excited to brush my teeth and pass out by 8:30. 

Road Trippin' Begins

Turkey Sandwich with Babybel

Who knew that we'd get the craziest week of gas prices to do a crazy long road trip?! I will document what we see.

I woke for a brief moment when Kev's alarm went off at 5. I then went right back to sleep until 7. I got out of bed at 7:10 and got the day going. There was much to do and it would be a long one. I dressed and went out to water while Kev mopped the floors inside. I then sipped some cuppa with Kev on the front porch, doing the day's puzzles. I then got into serious cleaning mode and attacked the bathrooms, the vacuuming, washing sheets, dusting, and cutting zinnias, putting them into a vase on the kitchen island for the pet sitter. It was 11AM when I made a turkey sandwich, slicing up Babybel for the cheese. I continued cleaning and then did my packing, squeezing in a little work while sheets were drying. I put out clean towels, gathered the trash and cleaned the litter room and it was 5PM when we hit the road. We were hoping to leave a little earlier but of course an emergency call popped up at 4 for Kev.

Road Trippin' Staple

We had a six hour drive ahead of us to get on the other side of Memphis, to be exact, thirty miles into Arkansas, putting us in a better position for Friday's really long drive day to Albuquerque.  I did not remember that you go through Memphis, across the Mississippi River and BAM, you're in Arkansas. And it really wasn't a bad drive. You skirt around Nashville so not sitting in traffic. it was 7PM central time when I pulled into a Love's to pee, to top off the gas tank ($36 for half a tank, I believe it was $3.99/gal), and to switch drivers. I was glad to get into that passenger seat so I could eat some dinner. None other than chicken salad from Southern Star, and our new favorite, Dot's pretzel sticks. We arrived at our Hampton Inn around 10:20. I took a quick shower, got in my sleep shirt and was ready to call it quits.