Signs are done

Well I finished the two signs for the float and now I am free to paint other things. I had fun designing and painting the signs and I hope they look good on the float. I believe the parade is on the 3rd of July. Kris is going to march in the parade along side the float. He is so excited and we are for him.
He helped the park host decorate the community center here at the park. They put of 4th of July decorations on the walls. The outside banister around the porch also was decorated. We will have a good time celebrating our countries anniversary this year.
Rick and Becky have decided to move their trailer across the park so as not to have the sun bare down on their living room window in the evening. They have had to run their heat in the morning and the AC in the evening.
The temps here are comfortable all summer but the sun can heat you up when it is in the mid 80's to the point you would think that it was in the 100's! The early mornings bring temps in the mid 40's and when the sun comes up it warms up real fast outside. Let me tell you it beats the 70's in the morning and the mid 90's in the afternoon. No I would not trade this for anyplace.
Back to what I was saying...Rick and Becky are going to trade spaces with another couple who have motorhome. Their windshield faces the west and they get that afternoon sun in their living room which means they have to run their AC most all of the day. This will be a win win for both of them. 
We told them that we would give them a hand if they move so we will see how this all works out...

Somewhere in Time

Painting signs for the float

Yesterday was a sign painting day. I had to cut some cardboard to size and paint it white then had to sketch out the wording. After all the wording was arranged just how I wanted it I painted in with a brush.
This took most of my day up and I have one more to do today. So this day too will be spent painting another sign. I don't think it will take me as long today. I have the layout so all I have to do is copy it on the other board and paint. 
It appears to be another beautiful day here. The sun is up and the temps are on the rise. The high today will be in the mid 70's. Texas is in the high 90's and 100's. I am really thankful that I am able to leave all that and come up here for those hot months. I like waking up in the morning to cool weather and not dreading going outside in the heat.
I hope to stay here mid September and then head back down south to where ever we decide is the best place to be...

Somewhere in Time

Yesterday was a Father Son Day

Yesterday Kris and I had our day. He had chose to go to the movie in Alamosa and see the Last Knight. That was a Transformer movie. It was a thriller I will have to say. Kris jumped up every once in a while in approval of the battle that was going on. He really put himself into the movie.
 After the movie Kris and I headed off to Walmart to pick up some things for Sherri. While there Kris found a Transformer toy that was in the movie and he had to have. OK so I am a sucker!
I forgot to tell everyone that we stopped by the falls coming up Wolf Creek Pass. They were very pretty. We took some pictures while there but did not climb the path to the base of the falls. 
Today I will be working on the 4th of July float. I have three signs to make for them and then I will be finished.
Not much else to report for this day. The sun is up and it looks to be a beautiful day here...

Somewhere in Time 

Wonderful day in Pagosa Springs

We left about 9:00 am and headed over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa Springs Colorado. It was a beautiful trip over the pass as always. I never get tired of seeing the awesome mountains and valleys that the pass has to offer.
We stopped at two of the overlooks and took many pictures, which by the way never do it justice. We take them anyway so that we can remember such a wonderful sight as that.
Sherri is a little tense when we go over passes such as Wolf Creek but I think she is getting use to them now. She is not near as apprehensive as she use to be. 
It took a little over an hour to make the entire trip but with all the things to see it did not seem that long. We had been to Pagosa Springs many times before this but never had we really drove around and investigated all that there is to see there. We drove by the spas there and the prices are a little out of our budget. We did go down to the river and check it out. It's free and that does work in our budget! Kris had a good time in the river, although it was a little too cold to play in. He found a playground with a bunch of kids there and he really enjoyed playing with them.
We found a good place to eat on the edge of town that met our needs for lunch. Sherri and I split a salad while Kris and Becky had build your own hamburgers. Rick settled for the chicken fried steak and potatoes.
After lunch we drove to the lumber yard in town so Becky could pick up a roll of sun reflection material to put in her back window of the RV. The evening sun has been heating up their living room and they will try this to solve the problem.
Not much else to report this morning so I think I will get me another cup of coffee and enjoy the sunrise here...

Somewhere in Time 

Off to Pagosa Springs

Today is the day we are off to Pagosa Springs. We are going to check out the river access for swimming. They say the San Juan is still a little high and fast for swimming but we want to check it out anyway to see how much it cost to rent tubes and ride down the river.
I know I can hear all of you saying "Isn't he a little too old to be tubing down the San Juan River?" I never have used my age to do or not do anything to this point in my life. I will give it a try and if I see I can't do it...then I am not in shape to do that...not too old!
Anyway I will see what there is to see in Pagosa Springs and let you know what I get away with...

Somewhere in Time

Internet real slow this am

Just sitting her drinking coffee and enjoying the view out my dinning room window. It is a bright and sunshiny day here in Colorado. The Internet for some reason is very slow this morning so I will make this short. I have tried to down load several post but I have not been able to. 
Sherri and I have been contemplating going to Pagosa Springs tomorrow but that would mean we would have to go over Wolf Creek Pass! We want to take Kris swimming in the San Juan...not real sure if Sherri can take the pass?
Stay tuned for more information...

Somewhere in Time

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
















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