Aspen Ridge makes a float

The Fourth of July celebration is coming soon here and Aspen 
Ridge is building a float for the parade. They have won most every year with originality and we are trying again this year to win once more.
I have been given the dubious task of making the sign for the float. They said because of artistic skills I should be the one to make the sign. I am a landscape painter so I am not sure how that will work into painting a sign? Oh well I will give it my all. 
We had a great walk yesterday. Each day we go a little farther than the last. We are shooting for about a mile a day. We will walk one half in the morning and one half in the evening. Believe it or not I have lost some weight and 1/2 inch in the belly! I found an old pare of shorts I have not be able to get on in years and they now (snugly) fit. I am not where I need to be but I am going in the right direction. 
With a little more work and a little less food I will get back to a decent size...

Somewhere in Time 

Watercolor

I work in three mediums...Oil, Acrylics and Watercolor. Since I have been up here I have only been working in watercolor due to the ease. With the other two mediums I need more supplies and they are a bit more messy than the watercolors. I don't even bring my oils anymore when I am on the road because Sherri does not like the odor. It really does not matter I just enjoy painting. When I am painting a picture I put my self along the bank of that lake or river. I am there looking at it and enjoying being there! 
I have completed three painting since I have been here and have plans for many more before I leave.
We went to the big city yesterday and picked up some of our supplies. Instead of walking all around Walmart I decided to get me a battery cart to shop in. It sure was nice not having to limp up and down all the isles and wear my leg out. I see all these young folks riding in those carts and wonder why don't I make use of them. I told Sherri that I could shop all day if I had one of these. I'll have to say one thing about the Walmart we shop at they have benches scattered out all over the store for us old timers to rest in while the women look and touch everything in the store.
We made a day of it picking up all our supplies and then we headed back home to unload. Seems like that takes a long time to get all that stuff out and put it up in the fridge and pantry.
Today will be a do nothing day. I like those days when the most we do is take our walk and then sit on the patio and talk about...

Somewhere in Time 

A Word of Thanks

I just want to take this first line of my Journal to thank those of you out there that comment on my post. Sometimes I feel like I should say something when someone takes the time to comment but I don't. I do read all my comments and the many emails I get referring to what I have to say. So THANKS to you all.
Now today is a shopping day. We have to drive into the big city to buy some food and supplies. We try to keep our trips to a minimum so as not to burn up too much diesel. We find that it is more economical to burn extra fuel if you can offset the cost of the fuel with the savings at the grocery store.
We shop at Wally World for some of our things and then we head off to Safeway to finish up the rest. Our little store up here has some good deals on some things but we have to go elsewhere to save a little money. I'll have to say they have some good meat prices here. My grilling meats are sometimes much cheaper here than any where else we shop.
Speaking of grilling I cooked some ribs last night and they came out very delicious. Sherri put them in the oven while we went to the community center to play Bingo. When we got back I put them on the grill for a short time to give them that grilled taste. Um they where very tasty!
Oh I almost forgot my fishing report. I went to Big Meadow yesterday morning and just caught one loner. He is now resting with my others in the freezer waiting their day in the skillet...

Somewhere in Time 

40 lbs must go

My favorite duo enjoying the falls 

It has come to pass that after looking at photos of me here in Colorado 40 lbs. must go as soon as possible.
I just hope when the 40 lbs. are gone that it will all be in my belly. I just can't take many more pictures of myself looking like I do. I have been trying to get rid of this attachment for some time but to no avail. Now is the time to see to it that it is gone before I head back to Texas. 
Besides the fact it is unhealthy and causes me difficulty in putting on my socks tying my shoes and buttoning my pants...it looks bad! I am counting my calories and cutting back on my portions and come hell or high water ol fatboy is going to get in shape!
We did absolutely nothing yesterday. We did walk at 9 and 5 and will continue to do so each and every day until I lose this weight. I love to walk here because of the scenery. The mountains and the pines are so beautiful to see when you are walking. The cool temps help me walk and the low humidity is great. Unlike Texas where when I walk I am soaked with sweat.
Today will be another patio day. We dare not use any AC for fear of a high electric again.
I finished another watercolor yesterday and intend on sketching one more today. I have really got into these watercolor paintings. They are cheap to do and easy to store. Framing is less expensive than my Acrylic and Oils so it is a win win for me.
I always have a show after we return from Colorado so maybe I can buy more supplies...

Somewhere in Time 

Found a new lake but...

The falls were beautiful 

I don't remember them being this large last time

Sherri enjoyed taking pictures 

The road to Rito Hondo had many sights to see 

I can't get over the construction of these mines

It was a very steep climb to the top so we only made it half way

I will have to say that we had a very good time exploring the area

We headed out yesterday around 10:00 am toward Clear Creek Falls. Becky and Rick having never been to Colorado have so much they have never seen. The falls are about an hour and a half from the park here. The drive there is spectacular and so with all that there is to see it did not seem that long of a drive.

We took several pictures and walked all around the area to see all there was to see. 
Upon arriving at the main gate into the falls we were met by a heard of cattle. We had to edge our way through them which took some time. There were several cars behind us that had to go through very slowly. It was quite a sight all these cows surrounding the truck and us trying to get by them.
From the falls we took off to see a new lake north west of there. Rito Hondo is it's name and it is a good lake for me to put my boat in. The only thing about this lake is the mosquitoes! They must have weighed a pound a piece! I'm not talking about a few either. They came in like a black cloud in a horror movie. Well I know one thing if I go there to fish it will be in a long sleeve shirt long pants with a gallon of bug spray!
We left there and headed down to Freemon's Restaurant and General Store to get some lunch but the outside deck was loaded and we could not find a place to sit.
We left there and went into Creede and settled for Kips Grill. They have good food and places to sit. Sherri's hamburger was not well done so they cooked her another and it too was rare. Finally the manager came out and offered her a taco and did not charge her for it. All was well until the ticket came for me to pay. The ticket was $22.48 but the waitress printed out the bill for $2.48...I could not let that go...she already had had a tuff go of it so I showed her the mistake. We got it all straightened out and we thanked them and went on our way.
Next stop was to head up Bachelor Loop to see the mines. We got up about half way and decided not to do the entire drive. It is a very steep incline to the top and having driven many miles already this would be just a little too much for now.
We stopped and took many pictures and enjoyed what little drive we did. Later on we will make the entire trip when we are all more rested...

Somewhere in Time
















1

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads Out There

Today is Fathers Day. My sweetheart that made me a Father greeted me with a Fathers Day kiss this morning. It does not get any better than that. I do wish all the Dads out the best of days.
We plan on doing nothing this morning. My $102. dollar electric bill is about all that we can afford to do. But then I really don't have to do anything...all I want I already have and here I am sitting in Colorado in the cool mountain air...GEEE this is great!
Sherri talked about going out to eat but I told her I would rather stay here today and enjoy the beautiful day on the patio. 
Everyday up here is a Fathers Day for me. I love the mountains and the creeks, stream, and rivers that come out of the mountains. I love to paint those pictures and relive seeing them every time I look at my paintings. 
So today I will enjoy my family here...

Somewhere in Time 

Electric Bill out of sight

Yesterday we received our payment notice on our RV site. We were totally surprised to see that our electric bill was $107.00!! We have never had a bill this high while traveling. I am going to have to find out what in the world caused it to be so high. 
I know they are not going to know what happen but I will ask them if anyone else had a bill that high. The only thing I can figure out is the electric fireplace. There was a couple of nights that we ran it all night. 
Well you can imagine that I was a little shocked! I don't know what it was but we will be watching our usage from now on.
All of us drove over the Big Meadow and had a picnic yesterday. Aside from the wind we had a wonderful time. I fished a little bit and caught one fish, It was a keeper but I put it back...I have not eaten all the ones I had caught earlier this year.
Today will be a do nothing day. After the $107 electric bill I believe we will skate on some on the going and doing. 
I hope next month is a little nicer on the pocket book...

Somewhere in Time

The Internet

I left everyone hanging yesterday. I mentioned that I had trouble with the Internet but actually something went haywire with my computer. I just got it the other day and some of the settings were not correct. When they changed the Internet here at the park my computer would not connect up to it. Sherri looked up the problem on her I Phone and soon all was well in my world, 
I don't hang on the Internet like some. I do like to keep my journal up for the family and also see what all they have done in their lives. Without this form of communications I am just lost! 
I love to watch YouTube videos on different artist. I am constantly learning new techniques by watching them. The Internet is just a avenue for me to go down.
Well to make a long story short...I was frantic when I could not get on line! All is well now and I am back on line and loving it. 
My leg is doing better. I have learned this year that I must take it easy on my poor legs. For those of you who may not know I am a disabled vet and it is my legs that are the disability. I was injured overseas back in the 60's and have suffered with bad knees for all these years. As I have become older they have gotten worse and I am slowly understanding this. I cannot do what I use to and after that sunk in I am trying to pace myself to a slower life style. 
No more hiking in the mountains...is one of the many things I love to do but just have to spend more time looking out the window of my truck. Now instead of wondering off to paint pictures I take pictures and paint them from my studio or patio depending on where I am.
Yesterday I made a sketch of the Rio Grande River that I am planning on doing a watercolor from that sketch. This will keep me busy today. It will be in the 80's today and for up here that is a heatwave. I will stay cool under the patio painting...

Somewhere in Time 

Went fishing and my Internet went out.

Yes I ventured out to go fishing with some friends of mine at Road Canyon. This is the place that I have to walk 1/4 of a mile to the place we fish. Then after the walk I had to scale down an embankment. That is where I twisted my knee. So now I am hobbling around on a sore knee. From now on no more scaling the sides of the bank to fish. I will find me a nice good flat place to set up my chair and relax.
We had a Bingo game last night at the Community Center. Sherri won one round and Kris won two rounds. I won none which is my luck. The prizes were scratch offs which Sherri won $1.00 and Kris did not win anything. We had a lot of fun even though we did not win any money.
I think I will baby my poor little knee today. Not too much going on except beautiful weather. I need to go and get me something to eat before I faint. Hope everyone has a wonderful day and a safe one...

Somewhere in Time 

Took a trip to Alamosa

So far we have kept the road to Alamosa hot. It is a wonder the snow is on the mountains with the road so hot. I hope after we get our IRS taken care of we will not have to go there but once a month. That is what we did in years past. Maybe once a month we would take a trip to Walmart and pick up some supplies but this year we have gone in one month what we usually go in 4 months.
While at Walmart Kris had to spend his last $50.00 on a RC Truck. He is sitting here with me now wanting to take it out and try it. Sherri said for him to try it indoors first to see how it handles. I know it wont be long and he will be all over the park with it.
I plan on going fishing after lunch. I don't know if I can even get a spot on the lake. I really want to take my boat out and see how it does. Sherri and Kris want to go with me so they can ride. First I need to see how it does before I load it up with all my loved ones...
I have not eaten the fish I caught the other day but I really need to go and catch some more. 
I have so many things that I would love to do. Seems like all I get to do is go shopping. Not much fun for a guy but that is what we have done mostly. 
OK I have to finish my coffee and get my chores done this morning. Many things to do here...

Somewhere in Time

IRS today

Thanks to Obama Care we as Social Security recipients had to file an income tax form. Now go figure...I thought the government had all the information about us why do we have to report what they already know.
So in my ultimate wisdom I decided to file my own tax forms. I wont go into the details of what happen but we have to re-file and that should tell you everything.
Today will be taken up finding out what we have to do to re-file and where. No matter how old you get or what state you are in you have to give the government money so they can keep on harassing you.
Stay tuned for film at 8:00...


Somewhere in Time