May 5th, 2013 Stuck in Colorado Springs!

Well, let's see ... we got back from Hawaii on Friday morning (May 3rd). 

Dessert at Mama's Fish House

We had a really great time there with Lonnie & Sandy … saw some cool stuff … did some great drives … and enjoyed the beaches immensely.  It was sad leaving but we celebrated the last night with a fantastic (words can’t even describe) meal at a local legend – Mama’s Fish House.  This place is right on a beach and is so funky and eclectic you don’t realize it’s a Five-star restaurant.  The menu is – of course – heavy on fresh fish and local beef and pork.  We had some amazing meals (EXTREMELY pricey – but hey!  We were celebrating!) and drinks to celebrate Lonnie & Sandy’s anniversary (again!).  Then off to the airport (what a way to go!)

Took the ‘red-eye’ out of Kahului and into Denver via San Francisco.  Arrived terribly jet-lagged plus we went from sea level to over 6,000 ft. in a day.  Needless to say we went almost directly to bed when we got  home.  Slept for 12 hours straight and still felt like crap!

But we got some stuff done like grocery shopping etc. and took another walk around G. of the G. as the weather was actually sunny and warm(ish) for a change.  Had an early supper and early to bed again – ready to head out in the morning.  We’d decided to head west and south – to Sedona, Arizona where the temperatures were warmer. 

However … the best laid plans ….

When trying to hook up our auxiliary breaking system in the morning … it crashed on us!  Can’t drive with no breaking in the towed car so we opted to stay in the Springs a couple more days to try and get it fixed.  We have called the manufacturer and they’re shipping out the part so should get it by Tuesday (with any luck at all). 

We decided to make the most of our extended stay in the area to drive up to Cripple Creek.  It’s a gold-mining town about 1 hour from here – west and about 4,000 ft. higher!

Downtown Cripple Creek

Old Sign in Cripple Creek

What a neat place (if you can overlook the 10,000 casino’s which seem to have taken over much of the town!)  It’s an old town … most buildings are dated 1896 … which seems late until you find out that there was a town fire that demolished all of the old wooden buildings the year before.  But some great architecture and quite a beautiful town.  We had some lunch and wandered for   Apparently Victor has had more gold taken out than California and Alaska combined!  There are mines and remnants of mines everywhere.  The older mines are quite interesting and have some beautiful scenery around.  The ‘new’ mines are completely ‘raping’ the mountainsides and look like a moonscape after the apocolypse.  Very nasty business – gold mining!
a bit, then took the back way into Victor which is only a few miles away.

Mines near Victor

But the drive was nice and photo opps were everywhere!  So the day was certainly not wasted! 

Bruce is off for a bike ride and I think I’ll head to the liquor store as we’re getting dangerously low on wine!

May 6th,
We took a drive out to the Florissant Fossil Beds which is near Cripple Creek.  This is where they've found 1,000's of perfectly preserved fossils and there's also a bunch of petrified redwoods.  They're HUGE ... some 14' - 15' across.  These were widely vandalized in the early part of the 20th century by tourists who were encouraged to come out and take home fossils. It's amazing to think that this whole area ... now home to rolling grasslands and ponderosa pine ... was once covered with giant redwood trees!  A very cool place to see!

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!