When we left California, there was lots of smoke in the air, and we expected that because of the local fires. However, the skies were hazy with smoke in Nevada, Utah and Colorado. The three Utah fires affected it, but so did the Northern California ones. Colorado also has fires, but I don’t think any down in the area we were in (at least currently). We could not see the Rocky Mountains until we were in Ridgeway – and Ridgeway is in the mountains. Anyone with asthma should not vacation here right now.

We stopped for lunch at an old family favorite in Green River – The Tamarisk – where Flanagans have been getting their chicken fried steak for over 60 years (probably the restaurant has changed names in that time). My bite was delightful, as was my BLT on homemade bread. Brid enjoyed her green chili burger a lot. We all had local watermelon for our side; then as we left town we stopped at one of the grower’s trucks to bring a watermelon and casaba to Colorado.

On our way to. Montrose, we texted our nephew and his wife (Casey and Sarah); so they and their darling boys met us at the motel for visiting and an attempt at swimming in the pool. But it was SO cold, only the six year old could play in it and he kept going in and out of it. There is a nice picnic area at the Red Arrow Inn with a very good Mexican restaurant next door. We ordered a mixture of soft tacos, beans and rice…and, of course chicken strips and fries for the little ones. However, after munching what they wanted they started demanding rice and beans off their father’s plate. The eighteen month old never stopped running which meant someone had to run after or with him all the time. He has no fear and even if he falls, stops crying quickly so he can go again.

Today, we had breakfast and drove down to their town of Ridgeway and were surprised because Casey was free to join us (his worker called in sick and he could not do the construction job on his own). Yeah! We went to check out his shop: San Juan Marble and Granite. It is small, but effective. He has an old forklift for carrying things around, but the boys found it much more fun. Lots of horn beeping and imaginary driving. As we were leaving, his neighbor came out and we got to see a Grammy in the making. Yep, the Grammy statutes are made in a small American shop in Colorado. It was cool. After the hungry ones ate brunch, we went on a scenic drive into the National Forest to Silver Jake Reservoir. We passed some sculpted mountains named Courthouse Rock and Chimney Rock. It was our first “jeep trip” of our vacation and we had not even unloaded the car!

Then we went our different ways and are now in Gunnison, with Brid buying some groceries and the person who has difficulty walking writing up what has happened. We will be at the cabin where there is no Internet, but will keep up the blog whenever we can. I will try to add some of the photos, but I must learn how to add more than one featured one.

Kathy
Days 2 and 3