Maui ... Wowie!

Where to begin ... it's been fabuluous!  We're staying in a luxury resort with our own bedroom, bathroom and mini-kitchen.  It's part of the suite - the other 1/2 has Lonnie & Sandy's bedroom and their bathroom, the main kitchen, dining room, living room & 2 lanai's.  No ocean view ... but we do have a view of the mountains so get to see the sun come up each morning.  We usually go down to the tables by the bar-b-ques to eat at night so can watch the sunset over the water while dining on fresh fish or whatever we decide on.  Very nice!

Linda snorkeling!

We've done lots of water/beach related stuff ... and (and this is BIG for those of you who know me) I've gone snorkeling for the first time ever!

It didn't last long ... but I saw some cool fishes before I got seasick. 

Sea turtle!

Yes ... in 2 feet of water I managed to get seasick!  Well ... the tide was pushing water in and out ...

I also did another first by going down a waterslide in the hotel pool!  It was super fun!  So I did it several more times and got some really good airtime before hitting the water!  You just never know what I'll be brave enough to do next!

The 4 of us took the drive out to Haleakala National Park the other day.  It's quite a winding, narrow road up to the crater, but was quite interesting once we got up there.  It's not a 'usual' kind of volcanic crater where the hole is there from erupting lava ... it's mostly due to erosion so quite a beautiful yet stark landscape!

Top of Haleakala

We had an enjoyable dinner one night for Lonnie & Sandy's anniversary.  Sunset on the beach ... ahhhh ... beautiful! 

Anniversary dinner

Haleakala crater

I guess they mean business!

We took a drive out to the Nakalele blowhole which unfortunately was not blowing!  Wrong swell direction or low tide or something.  Cool spot nonetheless!

We also drove out to Ulupalakau which was very scenic and had the most magnificent Jacaranda trees along the way!  We enjoyed the

Jacaranda tree

drive as it's less 'touristy' and more of the 'real' island ... lots of old buildings and lush vegetation.

Today we drove the famous 'Hana Highway' which at only 42 miles long is a hair-raising 2 hour +/- drive as it has over 600 twists and

Along Hana Highway

turns and 56 one-lane bridges!  Interesting when there's a cement truck trying to negotiate the same road coming towards you!  But how jaw-droppingly beautiful!  Unfortunately it was raining quite hard when we got there so we didn't stay too long.
Along the way tho there's some neat waterfalls, bamboo forests and

Bruce in bamboo forest

'rainbow eucalyptus' trees!  

Now we're back at the room getting ready for another fantastic bar-b-que meal ... tonight is fresh marlin!  Better get helping with preperations!

Aloha!

Cool general store

Pa'ia

Bar-b-que kings!

April 24, 2013 Aloha from Maui

Aloha!  Warmth ... colours ... fragrances ... Hawaii is amazing!

Getting lai'd at the airport

Especially since when we left Denver on Monday there was a blizzard on the way!  Here the temperatures are steady with a daily high of around 84F.  Today is cloudy and a bit of a drizzle ... but it's WARM! 

On the beach

We haven't done anything too adventurous yet ... but we've got our food and liquor enough for a few days (!) and that always takes a bit of time. 
We did some good beach walks and had a good dinner last night at Leilani's - happy hour with Taco Tuesdays!  Taco's for $4 and beer for $4 and Margaritas for $4!  Watching the sun go down ... just perfect!

Taco Tuesday at Leilani's

Last night I managed to teach the gang how to play Euchre and that's a challenge even when you haven't been drinking all evening!  But lots of fun and we'll do more of that tonight!

Well, time to put on the bathing suits and head to the beach ... we all got a bit of sunburn yesterday so we really have to make sure we lather up with sunscreen a bit better today.

Sunset on the beach

Aloha!

April 20 Denver Ho!

April 19

Snowed in

After being in the deep freeze for the past couple of days there may be life yet in Colorado Springs.  Thursday (yesterday) was a 'veg' day and we got in some marathon card-playing
and movie watching.  Thank God for Walmart $5 DVD's!

Today (Friday) was MUCH warmer and got to nearly 50F!!!  But with the sunshine out it really does feel warmer.  We wanted to take advantage of the good weather to go up the cog railway to Pikes' Peak.  But when we called for tickets ... it was sold out!! for the 9:20 trip.  And they were saying there was no guarantee they'd make it to the top.  Since the clouds begin rolling in over the mountains in the afternoon we thought we'd plan that trip for another day ... possibly when we're back from Hawaii.

Instead we visited the Pioneer Museum in downtown Colo Spgs which was amazingly good! 

Old El Paso Courthouse

Birdcage elevator

Housed in the old 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, it has 2 floors and dozens of exhibits of all aspects of the region.  From paintings, to old photography, to pottery, native American artifacts, info on the black American experience in the region ... to guns, bikes, clothing and more.  What a beautiful building with it's marble columns, birdcage elevator and a beautifully preserved courtroom (where they filmed Perry Mason btw!).  And all for free!  Time well spent!

Wanted Dead or Alive!

Bruce at Red Rock

This afternoon we hiked around Red Rock Canyon which is less than 1/2 mile from our campground!  What a gem!  Lots of trails in a beautiful area.  They used to quarry a lot of the sandstone there that was used in building many of the local homes/buildings.  It's only been a park since 2003 but very nicely maintained and used by hikers, bikers and dog walkers.  The sun was out and it was a lovely afternoon!


April 20th
Getting ready for the big trek to Denver tomorrow.  We'll have to winterize the RV as it's way too risky not to with the weather they've been having - we'll do that 1st thing tomorrow morning.  Today is laundry, packing etc.  Bruce is heading out for a bike ride at Red Rock Canyon right now while it's relatively warm and not raining or snowing! 
We'll head to Rudy's BBQ tonight for our last meal in Colo Spgs ... have to go back for some more of that smoky nirvana.   My next post will be from Hawaii!  Bye for now!

April 17, 2013 No words necessary!

April 16, 2013 Nice weather ... for February!!!

We're still here in Manitou Springs.  The weather is not co-operating tho ... woke up this morning to snow flurries and 26F temps with a wind chill of 1F!  Not my idea of a pleasant temperature!

On Sunday we took in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on a clear, sunny and COLD day. 

A little tongue action!

What an amazing place that is.  Most time for me ... zoos are a hit or miss.  This one is a definite hit.  It's huge and the enclosures are large and roomy ... some are even in the woods and you can almost feel the animals are in the wild (except for the bars and glass!).  They're expanding a lot of their exhibits as well so by May it will be even better.

What's he trying to say?

Not much for crowds so we enjoyed feeding the giraffes, watching the gorillas and meerkats etc.  We had a fairly good lunch there, then drove up the tiny winding road to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.  WAAYYYY up the hillside they've built a marvelous tower with a chapel, winding staircase and many photos and interesting stuff about Will Rogers.  The view from the top is breathtaking!  I swear you can see clear to Kansas!

Will Rogers Shrine to the Sun

Yesterday (Monday) we took Rosy in for some maintenance (which they somehow never 'got to') ... grrr ... still grouchy about that one as we had to find some way to spend the day while it was in the shop.  It was so cold and windy out we ended up going to 2 different malls and then walking around Costco.  Not my idea of a really special day but I did get some good stuff!

Today is of course more cold, snow and wind.  We're just trying to figure out where to spend the next few days before our flight out on the 22nd.  Do we stay here and then just drive up to Denver the night before?  Or find somewhere to camp/store Rosy near Denver?  The weather is just as bad up there if not worse and I'm not sure what there is to do in that area.  So we have some decisions to make.

Trying to stay warm!

Later the same day ... we made the decision ... we'll stay here just outside Colo Sprgs at Garden of the Gods RV Park,  drive to Denver on Sunday, spend the nite and then fly out Monday morning.  We can keep Rosy here at the campground for a few dollars while we're away ... then we'll drive back on May 2nd and spend the night here.  We'll decide then whether to move West ... North ... all depends on the weather!

In the meantime we'll try to stay warm any way we can!!

We had lunch today in one of our best restaurant finds yet ... Heidi & Dugald ... you'd LOVE it.  It's called Rudy's BBQ ... original Texas Bar-b-que.  As soon as you walk in the door you're lovingly smothered in smoke and the saliva begins to flow!  They're carving stuff up as you wait in line ... the place is always packed.  No frills but just amazing beef, pork, chicken, turkey ...
I still smell of smoke ... in a good way!  I think we'll have to go back at least one more time before we leave the area. 
 

April 13, 2013 Manitou Springs

Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs

April 11, 2013

This is probably not the best time of year to be at high altitudes … unless you’re a fur-bearing critter … which I’m not.  I miss the desert and the warm temperatures! 

We got out and about yesterday for a bit – drove up to Garden of the Gods

and checked out the sights and then on to the Trading Post which is HUGE!!.

Garden of the Gods

Old Manitou Springs

Then we walked around the older section of Manitou Springs which is very funky and interesting.  It’s very ‘tie-died/new age’ but with gun shops thrown in next to the hemp shops.  Lots of cool architecture and just a nice feeling place.  Had lunch in a Polish restaurant-wish I could have remembered some of the language from listening to my grandparents.  We had some home-made Borscht which was quite good … but different from our family recipe.  I find that every family seems to have their own version handed down.  Depends on what kind of stuff was available in their region of the old country I guess. 

Then on to Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

where you could walk around and see some similar dwellings to Mesa Verde.  Unfortunately we got there just as a couple buss loads of school kids around 7 - 8 years old did.  They were more interested in sliding down railings than looking at old cliff dwellings ... pretty funny actually!  But the area was amazing and the gift shop was housed in an old Pueblo home that's been there for hundreds of years.  Very cool.

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

Today Bruce got up early and headed to Garden of the Gods – which is only a few minutes from our campground – to take some photos while the sun was out.  I did laundry – woo-hoo!  When he got home we both headed out to G of the G and walked around enjoying the little of the sunshine that was left. 

Bruce at G. of the G.

The clouds were moving in and the wind was picking up which I guess is typical for this area … sunny in the mornings and cloudy in the afternoons. 

April 12, 2013

Did some exploring around the areas where Bruce used to live ... up on 'the bluffs' but not such great views as it was pretty foggy/cloudy.  Went and walked around Garden of the Gods and checked out their gift shop which is HUGE!  I am apparently addicted to gift shops!

Then we hit Old Town Colorado Springs which - once again - is amazing with the old architecture and funky signs etc. 

Old Colorado Springs

We visited the Michael Garmin store and gallery (Bruce has a number of his small sculptures which are very neat!) and just enjoyed the the atmosphere!

April 13, 2013

Drove out to Canon City (spoken - Canyon city) and the Royal Gorge Bridge.  http://www.royalgorgetravel.com/?GooglePPC_2010

The temperatures were higher than forecast - but the winds made it a bit cooler - still got up to around 70F.  The bridge is awesome.  We're still not sure why it was built ... as it really isn't used for traffic anymore ... but it was built in 1929 for about $350,000 and took about 6 months which is totally

Royal Gorge Bridge

amazing to think about. Today it would take 10x that long just to get permits and quotes! 

Not sure if it was a joke

Incline Railway

There is lots to do there ... an aerial tram (Bruce went on this -  I chickened out), a zip line, a skycoaster, a funicular railway etc.  We both went on the funicular (incline) railway which goes right down to the base of the mountain to the Arkansas River below.  We saw some kayakers going down the river (Bruce was literally frothing at the mouth wishing he could join them!) as well as the scenic train that runs along the river.  The one stop we did NOT enjoy was the food ... which was overcooked and overpriced.  Still ... an amazing day!  Not looking forward to the cold weather they say is coming.  Snow forecast for Tuesday!  

We enjoyed Canon City ... cool, funky town where I got 'hatted up' ... since Bruce got his Cowboy hat

Canon City

I've been jealous so I finally got one as well.  I think I look pretty good ... for a tenderfoot!  We both

Just call me Winona!

tried on Cowboy boots but just couldn't make that final jump to the Western Way!  (we may still buy guns at WalMart tho if time permits!)  LOL!  

April 14, 2013

Last night was a doozy!  Extreme winds and torrential rains!  When I looked outside this morning I was praying it hadn't turned to snow!  It didn't - thank goodness!  There is snow forecast for early next week ... lots and lots of it!  It's pretty cold out right now ... only about 33F (8 am) and the wind is still high.  Lots of snow up on Pikes Peak so not sure this is a good time to go up the cog railway.  Not sure what we'll do today.  We would head south again but we've got Rosy booked in for a checkup tomorrow plus we have to be in Denver by the 20th.  Wish we had our snowshoes!

  

April 10 ... Wrong turn to the North Pole?

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April 9^th, 2013

April 8

April 9

Yesterday we were in t-shirts sitting out and enjoying this beautiful park and today we’re hunkering down for a blizzard!  We’re camped at Lake Pueblo State Park which is just south and West of Pueblo, Colorado on quite a large man-made lake.  There are several campgrounds here with minimal facilities but we do have electricity – no water or sewer hook-ups.  We went for a nice bike ride and Bruce went off by himself for a more 'manly' ride although he did take a tumble - no serious damage tho!  It's quite starkly beautiful here with thousands of gophers & ground squirrels that made us laugh!  Lots of interesting bird sightings too!  

Anyway ... we thought we’d just wait out the blizzard

as we have lots of propane/electricity for heat, lots of water in the tanks and we stocked up on food a couple of days ago.  Oh ... and we've got wine, beer & tequila enough to get us thru!  :)

Taos Pueblo

Bruce - check out 'man-bracelet'!

Before we got here tho ... we spent another day in Taos, visiting some of the local areas.  We saw Taos Pueblo which they say is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S.A.  The indigenous people are still living in the adobe homes that have been there for perhaps a thousand years.  Some modifications have been made such as doors (normal adobe settlements had only entrances thru the roof that was accessable only via ladders) but there is still no electricity or running water.  Most of the people had shops selling crafts but still quite a special place!

San Francisco de Asis Church

We also visited San Francisco de Asis Church which was built in 1772.  Very beautiful and serene.  It’s built in a plaza where some of the homes surrounding it are hundreds of years old.  We came back later to a restaurant in the plaza and had some of the most amazing New Mexican food we’ve had yet.

Upon leaving Taos, we drove thru Cimarron, NM which is home to the Philmont Scout Ranch where Bruce (and his dad) spent some of the most memorable times in their lives.  Things have changed a bit … more buildings and stuff, but the feeling was the same.  Quite a neat place!

We spent that night at Sugarite Canyon State Park which – when researched – said it was one of the top State Parks in the U.S.A.  Hmmmm.  I think the people that voted for that need to get out more!  The campground was tiny – only 10 RV sites and the same for tent sites.  There were 2 ‘lakes’ that we saw … one was Lake Alice a VERY VERY tiny lake (pond) that apparently is liked by anglers, and Lake Maloya which is only very slightly larger than Alice which has a boat ramp and they said ‘liked by boaters, kayakers, etc.) but man … we could paddle around the ‘lake’ in about 10 minutes!  The park has been burned over so not much vegetation left and of course it’s early in the season so not much veg. on the bushes.  We took a bit of a hike to a old coal mine shaft nearby.  Not much else to do.

Sugarite State Park

Trinidad, Colorado

Early yesterday we headed out and stopped in Trinidad, Co. which is a cool little town.  Lots of interesting old architecture and some good shops (more jewelry!), then onwards to Pueblo.  I don’t  know how long we’ll be here … depends on the blizzard.  It’s just starting to snow now and they say accumulations of 2” – 6”.  Oh well … it’s all an adventure, right??

April 10 … Darn … all that hype and no blizzard!  It did however, get really REALLY cold … down to 15F last night!  We were toasty warm in the RV and just stayed inside playing cards and watching movies.  Not a bad way to spend a cold day/night.

Today we pulled into Colorado Springs.  Had a bit of lunch and are going to see what kind of stuff we can get into while it’s still cold.  It’s supposed to warm up tomorrow so we’ll plan some outdoor stuff for then.

Later …

April 5, 2013 Hello From Taos

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Hello from Taos!

Linda in one of the pools

Ojo Caliente

What a fantastic few days!  We were totally ‘off the grid’ but loving it!  Half way between Santa Fe and Taos is a magical place called ‘Ojo Caliente’.  www.ojospa.com  The site features mineral pools that have been in use by the indigineous people for thousands of years and is now a world class spa.  We stayed in their campground for 2 nights and indulged ourselves in their wonderful waters.  We sort of lucked out as the campground is pretty rustic and is run almost as an afterthought to the hotel and cottages at the spa … the reservation system leaves something to be desired and we had to change campsites about 4 times before we found one that wasn’t already spoken for.  The luck part is that they ‘comped’ us 2 passes into the public pools AND threw in a 50 minute private pool session.  The public pools are great … there are several of them and they each have a different mineral composition.  They are small with maximum capacities of between 10 – 20 people.  They are strictly ‘whisper’ zones and people use them for not only relaxation, but meditation and prayer.  There is also a larger pool which is not as hot and more relaxed as to noise levels. 

Camping at Ojo

The private pools tho are awesome!  They are about 30’ square and are surrounded by high walls of adobe but open to the stars.  We booked the pool at 8 pm and it included a fire in the kiva fireplace.  It was magical!  The night was totally black and the stars were out in full force.  And because it was private … we were able to enjoy it ‘au nauturel’!

Our 'private' pool time!

We also had the most amazing meal at their restaurant as well!

During the day there are numerous hikes in the area taking you to various places like an old mica

mine and lots of ruins.  It is a place not to be missed if you’re ever in the area!

Hiking around Ojo

Yesterday morning we pulled out reluctantly and headed for Taos.

Hiking around Ojo

The campground we’re in is ok …. But once again their ‘free wi-fi’ doesn’t work!  This is a constant problem in these places and drives us nuts!  But … still … you can see the mountains and it’s close to downtown so hard to complain too loudly!

Taos

We explored the town which is mostly touristy shops, restaurants and cool architecture.  Today we drove the 'Enchanted Circle Drive' which is an 83 mile round trip that winds through Carson Nat'l Forest and thru towns like Angel Fire, Red River, Eagle Nest etc.   We even drove up to the Taos Ski area and believe it or not ... they're still skiing there!  It looks like a huge mountain so lots of areas to still find snow.  

Taos

 Weather is beautiful and we’re enjoying the area.  We came in on a small, dirt road that wound around and down till we got to the Rio Grande Gorge.  Spectacular area but all campgrounds are still closed.  It looks like it could get extremely busy in the summer months with raft rides etc.

I think we'll stay another night and take in some local stuff tomorrow.  For now it's laundry and then Margarita time!