Road Trippin' wrap-up

I had previously handled most of day 2 w/day 1s festivities. Other than a fabulous dinner at a steakhouse restaurant, it's there.

Friday we were in Fort Collins - according to H, had we not had Ks in MN, we woulda stayed in CO...at the time he was more than frustrated w/work, phones & conference calls when we needed to be heading into the mountains w/o reception. At least we knew after getting on the road he was unreachable - that's such a great feeling! It was cool & cloudy when we left, but into the mountains we went on 14 along the Poudre River. A beautiful drive - w/tons of fly fishermen. Should you ever get the opportunity to drive this, go for it. You won't regret it. One aspect of the drive that was unsuspected was driving in a prairie in the midst of mountains all around. If you look at a map, this is near Walden (approx. 20 mi. south of the Wyoming border). Now this is the so-called "Moose Viewing Capitol of CO". Of course, WE saw no moose. We saw cattle & hay.

Anyway, into Steamboat Springs we arrive - only 15 minutes later than intended. Not so bad - and we made our shuttle on-time to hit the wedding rehearsal BBQ. There really was no rehearsal - just an excuse to get together once more on a mountain side. This location was truly beautiful - hit the web link to check it out in detail. On the main site, between the pool and the bushes to the left is where the vows took place - of course the spectators could check out the bride & groom, or the mountains all around or the valley below. Any choice was a sight to behold. But watching the sunset on both Friday & Saturday nights from this location was spectacular. Our 1st 'wildlife' sighting was here... 2 chipmunks.

Saturday during the day we went into Steamboat to shop. Cannot neglect THAT. Stores were trying to get rid of all their t-shirts for the year so everything was on sale - nice sales, not just token ones. But you know, I've got enough t-shirts and sweatshirts. We picked up an engraved green slate trivet & a Christmas tree ornament. OH, and a Columbia rain poncho for K1 for $2.16. Can you say 'Pay you to take the darn thing?' I was SO excited. We also checked out Strawberry Fields Hot Springs that was about a 20 minute drive over some mountains on a gravel road that you didn't think would get you anywhere. Our Impala, SuzieQ, got a work-out! These were the 1st hot springs I'd been to where you didn't smell the sulfer. Very nice. No suits along, but we remained fulled clothed & had our feet & calves in there - ahhhhh.

Sunday AM was breakfast, into town once more for a quick look into a few more shops, top off the tank and outta town. Backtracking a bit we were back to Walden...still no moose. Then it was up to Laramie, WY and onto 80 for the trek back across Nebraska. Just prior to Laramie we saw....antelope. They were in a pasture being raised domesticly. Don't think this counts on the 'wildlife' front since cattle were to the left pasture and horses were in the pasture to the right. And those aren't 'wildlife' either. Let's just say, all the people we talked to who said the drive outta town via Laramie was pretty - they were lying. My only 'give' on this point is if they'd never seen any type of mountin before in their life. That's my only clarification I'd give on that drive. So into Nebraska, again, we went. Really, you make this drive once in your life, and that is truly enough. We made it to Kearney for the night. Just before our exit, we did see deer (a lot of deer, I'd say a couple dozen) - true 'wildlife' at last.

Monday AM, the trek home. We took the same back way home and did end up stopping in Sibley, IA to see if I could find my Great Grandparents' house in the daylight. I knew it was near railroad tracks, but I couldn't find it. Little did I recall that there are more than 1 set of railroad tracks in town. So I called Grandma and asked for the address. Viola. I knew 2 blocks before we were at it that 'that's it!!' H didn't believe me, but it was. There is new siding on it - tan, and a window was removed from the side of the house I always picture in my mind. Talking w/my Mom last night we tried to figure out when the last time I had seen the house. 25 years ago is the answer.

We stopped in New Ulm, MN to check into a wooden German nutcracker since I collect these. I had heard for YEARS that THIS was THE spot to go. This is not the case any longer. We found 1 store & the sad part is that TJ Maxx & Marshalls have better selections. Extremely disappointing doesn't even describe that one.

We arrived home at 8:20. Ks 1 & 2 were still awake, so that was kinda nice. Although it was completely fantastic to get away, the kids seemed to have grown a foot in 5 days.

Overall, H & I had a wonderful time & we'd do it again if we could leave in 5 minutes. Along the way we had, obviously, TONS of time to talk uninterrupted. And we did! And you know what? It wasn't even all about the kids! I know, I can hardly stand it myself. Amoungst other things we were trying to plan the next road trip. My request was that it be to a place I hadn't been to before. This highly limits the possibilities. ALSO, I'd like it to be on my 'die' list. You know, the list of places you want to see before you die. Well, this REALLY limits it since my 'die' list includes: Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland, Australia & the Grand Canyon. Only 1 is a road trip. So we'll see what happens!! Also, if you're up for a trip to Ireland, Alaska or Hawaii, I may need someone to travel with - let me know if these are ever in your line-up and we'll go together!