Silverton, CO
Wednesday, September 13
KoKo is 10 today.
In the morning, we drove to Stoney Pass. No dramatic vista’s, but enjoyable alpine scenes.
We enjoyed lunch with new friends Mary and Stephen. We visited with them all afternoon and then had had dinner with them. Mary baked chicken.
Dorothy’s drugs were enroute to Silverton at 10 yesterday morning. At 10pm they were back in Atlanta supposedly due to weather.
Thursday, September 14
The saga of Dorothy’s drugs is concluded as far as we are concerned. Tracking shows they are back in Montgomery. They may be returned to our daughter or they may never be seen again. I have enough to share with Dorothy for her critical meds. We are headed home. We left Silverton and stopped for two days in Durango. We were out of food.
During our previous visits to Silverton, our refrigerator would go off, due to the altitude. It was no problem as it would relight. This time it only went out twice in a week. Last year Dorothy would “go out” every time we went above 7,000 feet. Her blood pressure would spike and she would cough. This year we were above 8,000 for over a month and she had zero problems. Same refrigerator and same wife. Strange.
Friday, September 15
Dorothy summarizes the trip:
As we now head home, here are some of the highlights of the trip for me:
Visiting our friends and former neighbors in Louisiana, Coral and D D
Spending time in Fredericksburg, TX with fellow Lazy Dazers Ross and Beverly and then seeing them again in Vernal, UT
Spending two nights in Llano, TX eating at Cooper’s BBQ
Another visit to St. Clair Winery in Deming, NM
Spending time at Lone Rock on the AZ/UT border and renting a boat to explore Lake Powell
Staying at Valley of Fire SP in NV
Going to Alabama Hills once again
Spending a long time with friends, John & Mary Jane, and we think they still like us
Meeting very friendly people in British Columbia
Eating good Pacific salmon several times
Spending time with another LD couple, Ed & Carol
Going to Silverton, CO and getting to visit with Keith and Sandy, whom we met in Silverton on our first trip there. We had drinks at The Rum Bar and good pizza at Golden Brewery with them. Also got to meet Harley & Elaine, a very friendly and nice couple. Then we met, new to us, LDer’s, Mary and Stephen. We went to town and had another good pizza. By then it was our third time there.
I have enjoyed good health on this trip and the high altitude did not bother me this time! Don is also doing well. We couldn’t ask for more.
Homeward Bound
Saturday, September 16
Durango, CO to Lake Heron in NM
Sunday, September 17
To the Wild Rivers rec area. We were here 10 years ago this month. KoKo was two weeks old. We met some friends from Tennessee for one night. Terry was not impressed with our new RV, because it looked like an RV. He is very much into stealth vehicles.
On our first western trip, I termed northern New Mexico’s flora soft. I have not come up with a better description. Nothing dramatic, just pleasing muted tones.
Monday, September 18
It was a 2.5-hour drive to Las Vegas, NM and we made it in only 6 hours. We took the roundabout way to see film locations used the Longmire series. All we found was a doorway on the plaza in Las Vegas. Like most of New Mexico, Las Vegas is a sad town. We could not locate a decent restaurant.
Tuesday, September 19
Three hours to the city campground in Muleshoe, TX. We lucked on this overnight spot the week it opened a few years back. They have enlarged it and it now has full hookups and tables.
Wednesday, September 20
We drove a long day for us, 4:15 south of Abilene, at Buffalo Gap. The reason was to eat beef at Perini’s. And we did. We both had Prime Rib. The entire meal was well above average. One of the tastiest salads ever and homemade bread with garlic butter. I had a side of Zucchini Perini, which is served in a divine red sauce.
Thursday, September 21
Three hours of driving brought us a COE park near Ft. Worth we use when we drive I20. The AC did not cut off. The temp is 96, typical for this time of year in Texas. I had thought we would follow the low-pressure system home, but when it reached Texas it went poof.
Friday, September 22
Four hours of driving
We stayed at a private CG in Marshall, TX
Saturday, September 23
Three hours of driving
We stayed at a private CG in Vicksburg and pigged out on catfish and sweet potato fries at Roudy’s.
Sunday, September 24
Three hours of driving
Our usual COE campground on Lake Okatibbee north of Meridian.
Monday, September 25
Three hours of driving
Arrived in our old neighborhood and parked in Frank and Sandy’s driveway. It was good to see them. As usual, Frank cooked a gourmet dinner. This time salmon cooked to absolute perfection with a divine dill sauce and popover bread. Also, as usual, Sandy got Dorothy drunk and they stayed up and squealed until 10:30. I was asleep before 9.
Tuesday, September 26
Stopped at the polling place to vote before we got home. Stocked the larder at Costco and Publix's. Had dinner with the grandkids.
PS Dorothy's drugs arrived September 30 after traveling around the country for four weeks.
