Retired and Trippin

Today was our white-water rafting day. We drove to the area of Buena Vista, had lunch at a Subway and then went to our rafting destination. The raft company drove us south of Buena Vista (about a 20 minute drive) where we boarded our raft in the Arkansas River. Matt, our guide, took us through and to just south of Salida. Just as we were exiting the river a cold rain started. We were glad to get in the van for the ride back to Buena Vista. The raft ride was mild enough for a 5 year old and 60+ year old grandparents but even at that it was a fun trip. We all had a good time. It rained on us on our drive back to the cabin but it was dry when we arrived so we had our first evening at the fire pit. After a spell in the hot tub we called it a day. For pictures from today click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/6042407785589271841?authkey=CIfS6Nfh4KvYJQ

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Eric, our oldest son, who is 37 years young today! On our travels to and from the cabin and Breckenridge we passed over Hoosier Pass numerous times. Today we stopped there and hiked up the mountain a bit. More beautiful scenery! During this hike we could see a Lake below that was fed by a waterfall. After our Hoosier Pass hike we drove to the lake and walked to the waterfall, another beautiful area. More wet and cold but a good day nonetheless. The Goldwing was idle again today, which was for the best considering the weather. For pictures from today click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/6042013970881943953?authkey=CMi0yJbyh4_aZA

We started the day with a soak in the hot tub located on the deck of our cabin – nice. Our goals today were to ride the gondola at Breckenridge, possibly play at the fun park there, and have dinner at a steakhouse called the Mint in Silverthorne, CO. Years ago, Molly’s family would eat there when visiting Colorado and she wanted to check it out again. As we drove north on Hwy 9 we saw a scenic spot and stopped for a photo. A kind lady there took a picture of all of us. We rode the gondola in Breckenridge but when we arrived at the fun park it was raining so all the “stuff” was closed. There was also a threat of lightning moving in, which would shut down the gondolas, so we rode back down while we could. Having some time to kill, we drove Hwy 6 east out of Dillon up to Loveland Pass. It was cloudy there but still beautiful scenery. The Mint provided us an excellent steak for dinner, which we cooked ourselves over their grill. Afterwards we had some ice cream to top it off. T...

This morning Eric and I drove into Fairplay for some groceries for our stay at the cabin. Later in the day we all drove north up Hwy 9 (south of Breckenridge about 9 miles) and hiked McCullough Gulch. All the pictures today were taken during that hike. It was a very pretty area. https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/6041270861908422449?authkey=CKOfj7j63PGYdQ The motorcycle sat idle today.

Today we were caravanning with Eric & family. We left Colby at 8:45 and it was 72 degrees under mostly sunny skies. A short distance west on I-70 and we were in mountain time zone, which gave us another hour for the day. We were deprived of an early sighting of the Rocky Mountains because of clouds at the mountains. We stopped just west of Denver for lunch at Panera’s. Then it was off for Idaho Springs and a trip up Mt. Evans to the south. I dropped my trailer in the parking lot at the bottom so I didn’t have to pull it up the mountain. We stopped at Summit Lake before motoring to the summit. It was very crowded, being a Sunday afternoon. But we found parking at the top and just started walking around when a park ranger started warning of lightning close by and telling folks to return to their cars. I’m not sure how protected we were after we returned to our motorcycle. On the trip down we stopped for photos of a marmot and a herd of antelope (I think). A short way down (we w...

Today we departed on a trip to Colorado with Eric, Molly and our grandkids, Jenna and Ben. Eric and family were going in their mini-van and Chris and I on the motorcycle. It was supposed to be hot one today so Chris and I left at 6:15 to beat some of the heat. It was 81 when we departed. Eric and family would head out later. Our plan worked for the first 200 miles. It was cloudy and cool with a spot of brief rain here and there. Very nice riding. West of Salina, however, the sun came out and it got hot. We stopped for lunch in WaKeeney and ate an early lunch at the Tropical Mexican Restaurant. There were no cars in the parking lot but, then again, it was only 11:00 am. Shortly after we arrived another brave soul stopped and went in. The food ended up being OK. Then it was on westward bound. We stopped for the day at a motel in Colby. Eric and family caught up with us later and we had a good time in the motel pool. We rode 371 miles today with a high temperature of 98. For p...

WOW – another great day – 66 degrees and blue clear skies as we rode away from our motel in Memphis at 8:00 for a short jaunt to the other side of Memphis for breakfast at the Gingerbread House Restaurant. Today we were just riding home through Missouri. Our route took us through Unionville, Princeton and Trenton. We stopped in Jamesport so the ladies could do some more shopping . . . . . and then in Gallatin for lunch at the Corner Café. The food was good but they allowed smoking, which made the place stink. We rode on home through Hamilton, Kearney and Kansas City. Our ride today was 245 miles. For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/6037825863807712993?authkey=CPzw6fuQjNzHWQ Our total trip mileage was 3,300 and a grand trip it was. Chris and I enjoy traveling with Carl and Marge, the weather was fantastic (nice and cool – in July), and the scenery was beautiful. And for icing on the cake, we got to...