GOOD BYE - HELLO

We arrived safe in Laramie, Wyoming and had a good time there. After a good night's sleep we "did the town" so to speak. Went shopping at CORRAL WEST, and met two cowgirls that were minding the store. Had fun and bought a few things,we were in at CORRAL WEST at least 2 hrs. the longest the man in my life has shopped with me since I can't remember when. If you ask him "did you have fun shopping?" he would say "no, but I found it satisfying". Need I say more? Only that his RIDGE RIDER VEST he bought saved the day today and that's all he talked about. So, in hindsight he did have fun - remember it was a cowboy and cowgirl store. After that, we went to one of our favorite restaurants in Laramie - CORONA VILLAGE - where we both ate one of our favorite Mexican meals. As we were sitting in the booth my husband said "I think we should have bought the western floor mats, so guess what, back we went to CORRAL WEST, and surprised one of our new friends, THE RODEO QUEEN with the engraved belt buckle to prove it, and purchased a few more very special items. I LOVE LARAMIE WYOMING!

Then we headed south to Ft. Collins, Colorado, and took a 2 lane highway to see the country side. As we headed out it started snowing and a storm was brewing. Steve stopped in at the Veterinary College and said hello to some of his old friends, and when he came out it was pouring down rain. Did I say when he was inside meeting friends in the Radiology Department,that it was sleeting outside for awhile? Crazy Weather. But, we are so glad we took the 2-lane highway and saw the beautiful countryside. We saw many ranches, and some ranchers, and the mountains around there were totally different than in Wyoming. Unlike the Wyoming mountains, the Colorado mountains are filled with thousands of trees, fir trees, and cedar trees, and so much forest. Thousands of perfect CHRISTMAS TREES were all around us. What a beautiful place, plus more white snow, AMAZING!!!!!

Our next destination was Loveland, Colorado which turned out to be a bust because we didn't recognize the village it had grown so much. We also wanted to go by the LOVELANDER BED AND BREAKFAST where 19 years ago we had such a good time (on Valentine's Day) but, we were told it wasn't there anymore. Later after we had left we found out that it was still there, and I think the Church we attended 19 years ago when we were there is still there to, we just couldn't find it. Nineteen years can really make a difference. In fact, at that time we had no grandchildren. Wow!

Then on to Denver, Colorado where we spent the night and woke up to snow. As we left we noticed the snow was getting worse and by the time we had driven about one hour WHAMMO- we drove right into a blizzard that lasted pretty much most of the day. It was a total WHITE OUT with cars and trucks off the road and winds up to 70 miles an hr. I was definitely praying by this time and thought we probably would have to get off or pull off for a few hrs. but remember I was not at the wheel and so we pushed through the mess. You could not see 2 feet in front of you and there were times when you couldn't see ANYTHING!!!!! NOT FUN!!!!! Finally we drove out of the snow and arrived at our destination in Kansas for the night. I think we put in 6 or 7 hrs. of driving today and are planning on driving 5 or 6 hrs. tomorrow. However, the girl behind the desk at the hotel tells us that the storm is on it's way here and will hit about midnight. We will see tomorrow when we awake. And as I am journaling in my blog I hear the wind blowing harder and harder outside. Only God knows at this point.

Colorado was beautiful with magic of it's own. What a paradise. There is the Scottish heritage of Estes Park and the Front Range, Pikes Peak, Mesa Verde, the Northwest and it's charming towns and treasures of that region , then there is Vail, and Aspen with their resorts and winter events, beauty beyond compare, shopping, and a million other activities you can think of because you are in the ROCKY MOUNTAINS!!!!! I've heard that Steamboat Springs' beauty,and Boulder's outdoor adventure, and colorful western heritage is a sight to behold also. So, Colorado - ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - is definitely on our list for a vacation in the future - GOD Willing! There just wasn't time to do everything this trip, as it is I think we have crammed in so much that it BOGGLES the mind. Every time we get outside or in the SUV we have camera's in hand trying to capture the beauty we have seen. GOD IS GOOD, and HIS creation is amazing!
Yesterday we saw so many beautiful horses, and today lots of buffalo. We have also seen eagles in the mountains, and white snow owls, and so many special birds it is unbelievable. The bears are also just coming out of hiding and sleeping for the winter so, perfect time to leave!!!

Just like my EUROPE TRIP this WESTERN TRIP has been the trip of a lifetime!!! I hope the love of my life has had as much fun as I have!!! I am so grateful to him for all the planning and everything he has put into this trip. What can I say? - - STEVE KNELLER is the BEST!!!!! Thanks honey ( or should I say big hunk) for all the MEMORIES - I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Pictures will be added tomorrow because it is now 1:24 a.m. and I want to go to bed. So, GOOD BYE to the WEST and HELLO to the MIDWEST. Over and out, and more later y'all!