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Colorado Family Memories

November 2019 - February 2020
A 108-day adventure by Two to Travel Read more
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  • Two to TravelColorado Family Memories

    CoSprings: Time for a Full Stop

    February 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °F

    Tomorrow we begin a new phase — a trip across the "Big Pond" to take mom back to Turkey. So, it's time for one last footprint to close out "Colorado Family Memories."

    Admittedly, we didn't do much in February. Time was spent at home working on various projects ... all successfully completed. Shopping trips took us out and about periodically, seeing us driving as far north as Castle Rock to check out the outlet mall for things on our "get lists."

    The weather played a big role in our cutting back on sightseeing. It was a much colder February than usual ... or so we've been told by people who keep such records. With much more snow than usual ... definitely much more than we had last February when we were camping out at the US Air Force Academy famcamp. Will March this year be a doozy snow-wise like it was last year? That's something we won't find out first hand since we'll be long gone on our trip by then.

    So ... we're just about ready for our trip to begin tomorrow. Our suitcases are packed ... except for last minute toiletry and similar items that will go in the bags before they are zippered up tomorrow morning. We've worked through the pre-trip checklists ... a few last minute to-do's remain and will be completed before we lock the door tomorrow morning. Haircuts were taken care of Friday ... mani/pedi appointments scheduled for later today.

    We found the best airfare to get us from Colorado to Florida on Southwest Airlines. That means flying out of Denver. I've been carefully monitoring the weather in case the weather decided not to cooperate for the drive up to DEN. The good news — the roaring winds that accompanied yesterday's blizzard — with gusts howling at up to 65 mph — shifted the weather pattern. We have a high pressure system sitting on top of us that will keep any storms out of the area until next week. We'll be gone before the next round of storms come through.

    We're not done making family memories. We're just switching locales. Thus I add a cheery full stop to "Colorado Family Memories." And begin a whole new set of footprints to take us on our overseas jaunt for 2020.    Read more

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    CoSprings: Misty & Frosty

    February 13, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °F

    Mother Nature decided to re-paint our patio furniture a frosty white to match the misty — OK ... foggy — winter morning we woke up to today.

  • Two to TravelColorado Family Memories
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    CoSprings: Forecasters Blew It Again

    February 8, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F

    Earlier in the week, the weather forecasters were calling for a storm that was to dump on us. Yes, some places got the big dump … not us … not most of the places around us. In other words, they blew it.

    For the snowstorm that came through yesterday, the weather forecasters were calling for maybe up to 2” in our neck of the woods. The storm, as predicted, started Thursday afternoon and continued into the wee hours. What came down was light powdery snow, and when the winds picked up late at night, it was all but blown away.

    We woke up to powdery snow Friday morning. As the hours progressed, the flakes got bigger and fluffier. The air was still … and cold. The storm stalled. The snow stuck. By a little after 11:00a we had 4” accumulated … by the end of the day that total was more like 6”. So much for getting just a couple of inches. The forecasters blew it again.

    No matter … the only impact on us was that we decided to reschedule my dental appointment to next week. No big deal. Besides, the aftermath today was magnificent ... with the landscape garbed in white ... and the sky brilliant with plenty of sunshine ... warm temps, too. Well, that makes it worth it IMHO.    Read more

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    CoSprings: Sewing Projects

    February 5, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °F

    I've been known to get involved in sewing projects with mom. But this year Mui's been working with her instead ... partially because he is more practical and the projects move along faster ... partially because I'm busy planning for upcoming trips.

    One of the projects mom and Mui tackled was sewing mattress covers and sheets for our new motorhome, which has odd-sized twin-beds. Another project was to sew a custom tablecloth for a round end table in the great room. Both were a success.    Read more

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    CoSprings: Snowstorm Bust!

    February 4, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °F

    The forecast for our first snowstorm of February was for us to get a dump. Mom was doubtful ... but fingers crossed she awaited. Alas, we got less than three inches ... I know this because Mui had to do the shoveling himself!

    Mom's a New Hampshire gal, so the storms that have come through thus far don't register on her "big snow" scale. Maybe her wish for "real snow" will happen on Friday! That's when the next storm is due into the area.    Read more

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    CoSprings: Picnic @ Home

    February 2, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Two days ago we had snow ... an unexpected storm that dropped about an inch overnight.

    Today, we’re sitting on our deck, enjoying a day that is more reminiscent of spring than winter. Not that it’s going to last long. A snowstorm is expected to come through tomorrow ... with forecasted accumulations ranging from three to eight inches ... more in the mountains. In fact, the winds bringing the storm have already picked up. But the temperature is warm enough that we can continue to sit outside ... even in the shade.

    Best to make hay while the sun shines! Mui picked up some sandwiches from Firehouse Subs and we enjoyed an al fresco meal at home ... the first of many 🤞🏻    Read more

  • Two to TravelColorado Family Memories

    Manitou Springs: Light Victorian Tea

    January 29, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °F

    “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves — slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life. ~~ Thich Nat Hahn ~~

    In July 2015, Mui and I came to Colorado Springs for a couple of weeks in our motorhome. One of the things we did then was to visit Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs. After touring the mansion, we had lunch at the on-site tearoom ... Queen’s Parlour. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience ... fancy hats and all. (Photos here ... https://eenusa.smugmug.com/WeGoA-Rollin/Fulltim…).

    Today we took mom to the Queen’s Parlour for the Light Victorian Tea. After we were seated, we were given the “tea menu” and asked to make our selections. Since the pots are shareable, we each chose a different flavor — chocolate cherry bomb, mango tango, and lady lavender. Then we settled down to enjoy the tasty goodies ... which change daily.

    First up was the scone — today’s flavor was plum craisin and white chocolate ... served with honey and herb infused butter, almond flavored Devonshire cream, and organic strawberry preserves.

    The second course consisted of a selection of sandwiches made with bread baked on the premises — spicy turkey, spinach and artichoke on puff pastry, lasagna, and pickled cucumbers & white cheddar.

    We wrapped up with the dessert course — peach cream tartalette, Amaretto bonbon, pomegranate blackberry mint mousse, and swan puff pastry with a vanilla cream filling.

    Oh, yummy, yummy! Totally sated. We all enjoyed the experience ... fancy hats and all. I’m just sorry I wasn’t able to get reservations to the Queen’s Parlour while Aylin and Murat were here ... just not possible to get in over the holidays. Maybe next time.    Read more

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    Cañon City & Peek @ Royal Gorge

    January 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Another gorgeous winter day … blue skies and sunshine and warm temps ... about 10 degrees warmer than it should be this time of the year. Got to take advantage of it. So we headed up to Cañon City … a home rule municipality in Fremont County that has its roots back during the Pike’s Peak gold rush of 1858. The area has a lot to offer — especially for the adventurous. We’ll go back another time to take advantage of some of those opportunities. Today, we took it easy and just looked around.

    We left the house a little after 10:00a for the 1½-hour drive. Our first stop was the Holy Cross Abbey, right off US50 on the outskirts of Cañon City. Unfortunately, it was closed. So, we moved on. Following the signs into the historic part of the city, we were disappointed to find it all but dead! On a Sunday? On such a beautiful day? So, we moved on.

    One of the popular sights in the area is the Royal Gorge Park. Heading in that direction, we made a detour to check out a campground — East Ridge. Peaceful and quiet — at least during this time of the year. We liked what we saw … free boondocking sites for 72-hours. We plan to return for a short stay.

    From the campground, we continued up the dirt road to where it dead ends at the Royal Gorge Park. Admission is $25pp — which gives access to the pedestrian bridge that spans the gorge, a ride on the gondola that criss-crosses the gap high above the Arkansas River, and a theater. There are some adrenaline-junky rides here as well … additional cost … but I doubt we would ever take advantage of them. We’ll return to check out the park ... and the nearby trails. Today we were satisfied with a view of the gorge from an overlook. Alas the light was bad, so I limited my photos to a few memory shots.

    Retracing our drive, we headed back to historic Cañon City ... hoping to get some lunch somewhere. Turns out the town had come alive. It was plenty warm in the sun … perfect for an al fresco meal on a winter day. Spying the outdoor seating at World’s End Brewing Company, we decided to go there. A good choice. A couple who was about the leave told us we could have their table as soon as they paid their bill. We had a short wait, but it was worth it.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my glass of “Fairy Dust” … a beer described as being based on a blond ale recipe … with a surprising peach influence. Mom and Mui ordered the Double BLT. The waitress was right … they don’t stint on the bacon. I ordered the Adult Grilled Cheese … made with a blend of Colby, Mozzarella, and Provolone … plus sliced avocado and hardwood smoked bacon. They normally add red pepper flakes, but I abstained. We were stuffed by the time we finished our meal … no room for dessert.

    We’ve got snow in the forecast, so this will be our last outing for at least a few days. We need some rest anyway after being out and about for three days in a row … and we have some projects to complete at home, too.    Read more

  • Two to TravelColorado Family Memories
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    Palmer Lake: Picnic in the PhxCruiser

    January 25, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F

    We did something different today. Wanting to give mom a ride in our new motor home — a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser that Mui picked up in Florida in December — we got it out of storage and went for a drive. The outing had a dual purpose ... to grant mom’s wish for a picnic lunch.

    Our destination was Palmer Lake, off of Hwy 105 ... about 30 minutes or so north of Colorado Springs. We knew we could find a place to park the rig there this time of the year ... and there were picnic tables for an al fresco meal, too. What we didn’t count on was the ice fishermen ... they had the parking lot filled. No matter, we found a nice spot on the opposite side of the lake.

    The sky was blue ... the sun was shining. Perfect for an al fresco meal. Except for the on-and-off breeze from the north, which made it just a tad too uncomfortable to sit outside for any length of time. No matter ... we opened the slide and had our picnic lunch inside the Cruiser. The egg salad sandwiches didn’t care that they were being eaten indoors instead of outdoors.

    Despite the wind, we did manage to take a walk most of the way around the lake. A bit of fresh air exercise to wrap up our outing in the Phoenix Cruiser.    Read more

  • Two to TravelColorado Family Memories

    CoSprings: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

    January 24, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    Everyone who knows us also knows that we love animals of all kinds. Well, except for the creepy crawly and slithery kind. We especially love seeing animals in the wild ... where they belong. But it’s not always possible to see critters in their native habitats. So, sometimes we go to a ‘reputable’ zoo to see animals, too. That’s what we did today. Taking advantage of a glorious blue-sky day that was plenty comfortable temperature-wise, we headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with mom.

    The zoo has an interesting conservation program. When admission is purchased, each visitor is given tokens equaling 75 cents. Just inside the entrance are “Quarters for Conservation” kiosks where visitors “vote with their tokens” on the program(s) they want to support. Since this program started in 2008, it has raised more than $2.5 million for field conservation. Today we added to that amount by choosing to support conservation efforts for orangutans, giraffes, and elephants and rhinos.

    Our good deed done, we then wandered the various exhibits, watching the antics of the animals. The zoo lives up to its nickname — America’s Mountain Zoo. The terrain is very hilly, with steady climbs to reach the exhibits on the slopes. There is a gondola to help people get around, but it wasn’t operational today. I suppose we could have used the shuttle — $2pp for rides all day long — but we opted to get around under our own steam instead. A bit of exercise as we enjoyed ourselves.

    After our visit to the zoo, we got a bite of lunch at Shangri-La, a Chinese restaurant recommended by our neighbors. They did not steer us wrong. While the ambiance of the place is nothing to write home about, the food is tasty. Mom ordered the sweet and sour chicken; Mui went for his favorite ... General Tso chicken ... avoiding the red hot peppers; and I got the beef lo-mein. We wrapped up by sharing a bananas supreme ... deep fried bananas served with vanilla ice cream ... yummy!

    Looks like there is snow in the forecast for Monday. In the meantime, we have a delightful weekend forecast, so we’re going to try and make the most of it with a couple more outings. Our home projects can wait 🤪.

    For more photos from our day at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, click this link for my online gallery: https://eenusa.smugmug.com/North-America-US-Can…    Read more

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