So long old Colorado home, hello Utah

A photo cousin Doug Davlin shot of the paint water an artist left behind on the main street after a show in Creede, Colorado. I thought it was a pool in some Bora Bora cave and Don guessed aerial kite photography, which Doug is famous for.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, OGDEN, UTAH, "FAM CAMP" CAMPGROUND --- What a wonderful few days we've had. I'll start with the current thorougfare and work backward. We now live at Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah. The camping goddesses were with us and we snagged the last site with hookups on base. Blazing north from Monticello, Utah, where we bunked in a truck stop Saturday night, we proudly sported our Bronco T-shirts and other head gear and promptly dropped the BFT Sunday late afternoon and headed to the local Wild Wings pub to watch Manning and the boys pull out a nice W in Denver against the Steelers (started at base bowling alley but league play overshadowed the game and we had to relocate). We are here to buy supplies, handle some paperwork and ready the BFT and truck for Reno. Sunday was a very nice day. After being left to sleep in until a late hour, I was greeted with my mini cup of hot coffee and a fat Salt Lake Tribune. We jumped in truck and listened to Sirrus morning NFL games before taking a break at a great truck stop diner in Price, where we had brunch. We gilded the lily with ice cream in Spanish Fork and phone chats with my Mom and Dad. Between seven football games (surfing Sirrus) and LA and NY times crosswords, the time flew by. It's warm here - still in 80s as I write. Before leaving Colorado, we buzzed up to Wagon Wheel Gap and visited cousins Doug, Ginni, Don and Sonja and another nice couple from Denver. Wild Alaskan salmon, Doug's caesar salad (yes Dad, I ate your anchovies) and fresh sourdough bread from the Pagosa bakery were the repast. Doug showed us all great photos he shot of the Johnny Depp filming of the Lone Ranger movie due out next summer. We all wonder if the Wagon Wheel Gap/Denver Rio Grande Western Railroad depot will make the flick or end up on cutting room floor. Don made quick work of becoming a friendly among folks, enticing more than one to lay down or stand outside as he used his flashlight to give an impromptu lecture on astronomy. Don and I and the critters stayed at the Cottonwood Cove cabin for the night. Cool weather and a good heater felt nice. As if interesting, welcoming conversation with family and new friends wasn't enough, we landed at the exact time of the art show, All day Saturday, one could drive from Creede to Southfork and around, visiting galleries and private mansions to see artwork. We drove over to a wild, funky, million-dollar compound near the Creede airport and viewed Doug's photography, Ginni's fiber art and dye work and more. The couple who own the manse are celebrating 50 years together - they share their time between Cape Cod and Creede - and the husband was selling his pottery that was displayed just inside their turquoise welcoming gates. Don bought me four beautiful hand-painted wine glasses. The artist told me to name a price; I declined. What ensued was a wonderful discussion about local politics and the state of everything. The artist said he had made the glasses several decades ago and was "cleaning house." Suffice to say, he practically gave the art away. If I had a truck, I would have bought so much more. Alas, I didn't but what few gems I find on the road will help make the al fresco, grandiose dinner party I'm planning down the road that much more special. Under the white twinkly lights, with a mandolin player in the round, and a roaring fire, I will find a way to bring many of us together. There will be stories to tell. Wild Bill is home safe and sound and Al and Dragon await our arrival in Fernley near Reno. I've found a way to drag us south toward my friend Shank in So Cal after the rally and possibly across AZ and New Mex to see more family and friends. Critters are well (hello back to Mouse!). Send up the supplications for the ride to Reno and for the rally. T-minus four rallies and counting. That said, I live for today. More soon, Don, Hol, Thumper, Bob and the fly that has hitch-hiked with us from Algona, Iowa. 

Creede artist manse from the road.

One of several living areas in artists' manse.

Turquoise doors leading to manse courtyard.

My new wine glass collection!

Ah, the pink flamingos live at the Depot in Wagon Wheel Gap!

A crane of sorts lives at the manse.

End of main drag in Creede, Colorado. Sheriff's office to left.

Back porch of Depot at Wagon Wheel Gap. Cousins eating lunch.

Front of Depot at Wagon Wheel Gap.

Driveway to Wagon Wheel Gap depot and Doug and Ginni's summer home.

Ginni's beautiful fiber art.

They startedthe Colorado State Mining championships in Creede, Colorado in 1892. I've competed in spike driving many years, ranking in the top five in the state.

A wonderful photo by Doug.

A Utah sunset.