September's Song - These precious days

Ain't Love wonderful; Cynthia hangs on & Ron avoids storms

 

30 Sep: Fairview Heights to ???? Wherever it isn't raining in Indiana ... ??? We hoped for a very early morning start but it was raining. The hotel is sold out tonight. Sooo we waited for a break in the rain and successfully navigated through some downpours to Lafayette, Indiana. We might be zig zagging to Cleveland. From Cleveland we head to Vermont. Hear that Oke??? Then on to MD to the wedding followed by the Archives in Philadelphia and on to NC, SC.

 

29 Sep. Thurs. Litchfield, IL; -- dinner tonight in Edwardsville, Illinois with Sistah Carol, nephew Eric, Erics's uncle David and Eric's growing up fast family: Kyle, a 7th grader, is exceptionally bright like his sister Erika; he plays the French Horn in concert and marching band. Erika is a junior in HS with plans to become a criminal defense attorney. She is very excited about performing in the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. We were most impressed with Kyle and Erika.

 

 

28 Sep: Litchfield, Illinois to Fairview Heights for two nights after breakfast with Sistah Carol. Today we visiit Don and Ann S; dinner at Ruby Tuesday's was very good. Don has had health issues this past summer. Happy 100th birthday to our cousin Dorothy in Denton, TX.

Ron with Ann S.

Don S. and Ron with Ann in the corner.

27 Sep: Litchfield, Illinois. How fun to have breakfast at Denny's with sister Carol who reports that our brilliant six year old, "Little Carole Ann," rides on the bus to school. Ron spent the day working at the farm while Cynthia had the Mac all to herself to work on DNA. Dinner at Ruby Tuesday's with Carol was also fun, followed by a walk and talk!

26 Sep: Des Moines, Iowa to Keosauqua, Iowa ( to visit our 97 year old aunt Eleanor) then to Litchfield, Illinois to visit Sistah Carol. Thankfully she is willing to eat at Ruby Tuesday's because Cynthia won't eat "kill." (Squirrel stew)

25 Sep: Des Moines, Iowa: Ron e-mailed the Mullica files to the Swedish Colonial Society and visited cousin Sandy this afternoon. Cynthia wrote the wedding ceremony and sermon that has been nesting in her brain. The wedding is a few short weeks away.

 

24 Sep: Hiawatha, KS to Des Moines, Iowa: hmmm, we booked the wrong Hilton Garden Inn, but nada problema, cousin Sandy is just a very few miles further away. Cynthia's classmate lives nearby; she and her husband treated us to dinner last night at a lovely restaurant.

 

23 Sep: Norton, KS to Mankato, KS to Hiawatha, MO: After a hearty breakfast at a local diner Ron completed his 90 day wireless pacemaker test transmitted to the electrophysiologist in Houston. The WIND is a bugger today! Ron was Researching unsuccessfully at the library and courthouse in Mankato, Kansas with a stop at the Mount Hope Cemetery to visit Mechem grave sites of great grandfather and great great grandparents. We left Mankato at 4:30 arriving at. Very Nice Best Western Plus in Hiawatha, Kansas at 8:00 PM. Beautiful sunset. Did I say it was windy?

 

22 Sep: Denver, CO to Norton, KS: the ride took 7 hours facing strong gusts of wind but we stayed afloat/upright. Fascinating to see the wind farms on the north side of I-70 from Denver to the Kansas border. A very nice Choice hotel had space for us; and the PFonZ Steakhouse fed us a marvelous meal.

 

21 Sep: Denver, CO helping grandson Brett pack 3000 plus books to move into his new home. After showing us his nifty new home we had lunch at the DBar Denver downtown. Ron enjoyed four flavors of sorbet for an appetizer and two for dessert.

 

20 Sep: Estes Park, CO to Denver, CO for two days with grandson Brett helping him pack to move into his new home. The fall foliage along the Peak to Peak route was fabulous. Our Denver stay is in a LaQuinta only because most hotels are booked solid; this is one of the nicer ones - but I don't understand why La Quinta tolerates such shabby dry wall construction - every hotel has poor sheet rock finishing and thin walls. Lunch at Landry's (with a $25.00 discount), dinner at McCormick Schmick's.

 

19 Sep: Vernal, UT to Estes Park, CO, the fall foliage was breathtaking. Almost immediately out of Craig, CO we saw prong-horned antelopes followed by a lot of cattle, horses, deer with many Elk in Estes Park including a huge one on the side of the road. The best sighting was a black bear about twenty feet away at the trash containers by the Rocky Mountain Inn hotel, sighted by the very cute young girl who opened the hotel door for Ron's cart. Great restaurant called Freshies at Steamboat Springs. Our dinner at Nicky's was delicious. And not to forget the fun time we had visiting with motorcycle riders at Vernal, then at Estes Park. A delightful young woman has ridden on four continents. Bravo!!

 

18 Sep: Salt Lake City departing for Vernal, UT after brunch with cousin Roy W. and his lovely wife Barbara. Last night was our first experience at a Hilton Double Tree Hotel; they offer "made to order"breakfasts, meaning this is another property for our list. The mountain views from the dining room were spectacular as the sunlight glazed the peaks. We walked around the lake while duckies approached eyeing us for a feeding.

 

 

 

17 Sep: Tomorrow! Tomorrow !! It IS tomorrow, and I love you SmoochSmooch. I was busy uploading photos from Thursday (Golden Spike & Kennicut Copper pit - )(click here)

Engine No. 119 at Golden Spike

and missed midnight. At 2:30 PM laughter will once again be heard from this BEATTY family!

16 Sep: Tomorrow! Tomorrow, it's almost tomorrow!! Ron enjoyed a good night sleep. Up early and out walkity talkity to Sistah Carol about DNA when Cynthia phoned returning from the good report at the oncologist. She picked up the meds making two trips to the pharmacy (IRS) and two trips to the ENT, ship box to MD for the wedding.

15 Sep: (To Smooch, first I love you of the day!) Ron and Roy having fun, fun, fun photographing mines after traveling on a dirt road that required four wheel drive. Aweeee! Did I say fun??? Cynthia had a dinner party for her sister from Palm Desert.

 

Lookie the beauties, Cynthia and sister Bonnie

Jon and Paul

The Bakers with Cynthia and her daughter Roxanne

 

14 Sep: Ron was up at the crack of morning to work on Mullica papers, page 67 of 367, before riding with cousin Roy on an exciting adventure three hours away to the spiral jetty (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Jetty) and to also see the Golden Spike, the last spike driven to complete connection of the railroad from the east to the West. Cynthia is off to the Galleria for a haircut, then Grandmother fun visiting Fyn and Zoe. Two year old Fyn loves her new black patent leather shoes that are perfect for spinning and dancing. Seven adorable granddaughters are loved by their grandmother.

 

13 Sep: Cynthia had medical tests at St Luke's all day (IRS). (I miss you, Smooch!!) The Mammo is clear! A Five year survivor deserves Triple Caramel Chunk. Earlier, Ron and Roy walked after breakfast and tried to go for a walk again, but they were rained out. Now, they will try once again. It is wonderful to be loved "three sixteen tenths and a million, and a Smooch smooch Smooch and raise your trillium a trillium." Haagen Dazs sorbet was on sale 3 for $10.00. Ron bought 3.

Galveston Island tonight: L-R (closest): son Jon, Tom R., (a friend) Cynthia's sister Bonnie

Far side: L-R: Tom's wife Penny R., our brother-in-law Bob, Granddaughter Lauren(Jon's daughte)

12 Sep: Cynthia picked up a rental car, had labs in the AM; hired a driver for the afternoon neurologist appointment because she could not drive after treatment (IRS). Ron spent the day at the hotel working on the Mullica files, with side trips to Trader Joe's for sorbet, moving to Roy's afte eight PM.

 

11-17 Sep: Ron will be under the adult supervision of cousin Roy W. and his lovely wife for a few days while Cynthia returns to Texas for medical tests. Miss Smoochie usually turns a blind eye to Ron's mischief. Ron rode with Cynthia on the shuttle to the airport (IRS) and escorted her to security. (To Smooch: I love you!!! )

 

10 Sep: Salt Lake City, UT, 120 mile chilly ride with frost on the ground, an interesting traffic jam, and a bee sting next to Ron's right eye but we survived. Lunch at our favorite Marketplace Grill was delicious followed by a walk with new fine feathered friends.

9 Sep: Duchesne, Utah. The temperatures were warmer for the day's 170 mile ride. A visit and short hike at Dinosaur Museum and Park was most enjoyable. Duchesne is a mighty small town that appears to be economically disadvantaged according to the dearth of groceries on the shelves in the only grocery store. No sorbet. No fat free bread. Ron did find pretzels for breakfast tomorrow. Our hotel (Suite 6) is an upgrade to Motel 6 and it is comfortable enough. For entertainment we are doing aerobic meditation and calisthenic contemplation. Ron is frustrated by a watermark issue on a family group sheet project, but he figure it out. Our poor Miss Smoochie fell out of the tank top case and lost an eye. Ron searched the pavement, avoiding being struck by oncoming traffic, but did not find the poor girls eye.

8 Sep: Craig, Colorado will be tonight's stop en route the three day ride to Salt Lake City. Our route on 14 West has breathtaking views of stands of Aspen are already shimmering gloriously gold in Jackson County. Crossing Jackson Pass at 10,900 feet we were thirsty and chilly; we found water at a very appealing Moose Visitor Center and added jackets. Once we passed Gould, CO, the forests ended abruptly with vast, barren ranches and we were whipped by wind to Walden, CO where we discovered the Antler Cafe and fed our faces. The gusts of wind continued as we turned onto US 40 to Craig, CO, but the changing scenery was marvelous. Ron ate elk for dinner followed by a stop at TCBY Yogurt for mango sorbet.

7 Sep: Rocky Mountain National Park- We were dressed/prepared to take the shuttle to go hiking after breakfast. Ron prepared by going toSafeway while Cynthia ordered breakfast at the Egg and I. How disappointing to learn that the Sorbet on sale for $1.99 was over at midnight. But the price label hadn't been changed so lucky Ron got the last sorbet on sale but no more after hiking. The shuttle system worked seamlessly transporting us on the Hiker Shuttle up to the National Park Shuttle dropping us off at Bear Lake. We hiked around the lake, then up to Emerald Lake, a 400 foot elevation gain. We saw a mama elk with her baby and later a large deer. Our new best friends today were from Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Arkansas.

6 Sep: Inn on Fall River, Estes Park. CO. Breakfast at The Egg and I after the shuttle to city center, home again, home again, and walking back to the city to get our 10,000 step buzz. Estes Park proper' river walk is much like San Antonio's walking the shops. Safeway had two good flavors of sorbet and fat free sourdough bread. Mmmmm. Ron forgot his plastic spoon but there's always a way to eat sorbet.

5 Sep: Georgetown, Colorado, the temperature at 8:30 AM was 40 Brrrr degrees. Wishing everyone a peaceful, relaxed Labor Day. We started our day with Pat A., a buddy of Ron's from Washington, D.C., and breakfast at the Happy Cooker. Cynthia was indeed able to order and enjoy her Eggs Benedict. Ron's last minute decision to take U.S. 40 north was an excellent one, the long lines of traffic were heading south. Once we passed Grand Lake, the traffic situation deteriorated, and Ron was content to dawdle along lettng cars pass while watching the magnificence of the barren peaks unfold. As we neared the top, the winds became strong and the cold frigid. The mountains are beyond description, and the road meanders through the alpine meadows seemingly without end. We stopped at the Alpine Visitor Center (click here), and Ron hustled up the trail to 12,002 feet to take several pictures (click here). Eventually we descended the last 20 miles into Estes Park and found the Inn on Fall River (click here) where we are staying at a quaint log river house. Cynthia wants to live here forever.

View from balcony of our room at the Inn on Fall River, Estes Park, Colorado

View from Visitor Center at 12,002 feet, looking down on snow.

4 Sept: Breakfast at the Mountain Lion Cafe was terrific. We were unable to tour the mountain passes because of Rain. Light rain. Wet rain. Cold rain. Instead we hopped onto the interstate for the fast route twenty miles to Georgetown to visit with Pat A. The sun came out while we walked uptown to The Happy Cooker for brunch. Bummer, we were ten minutes too late for Cynthia's California Eggs Benedict. Dinner at Coopers was OK. I was hungry!!! Life is good. Very good. Thank God.

3 Sept: A two day ride to Georgetown is ahead of us. Thankfully, we have lodging the next two nights. Colorado is experiencing a 10,000 population increase a month; everyone must be checking out their new home weekends. The ride across Independence Pass/Continental Divide was breathtaking but cold, the summit of the Rockies, 12, 000 plus feet elevation. We had lunch at the Village Smithys in Carbondale, arriving in Silverthorne, CO by six PM. WooHoo, there is a Ruby Tuesday's. Our lodging at this La Quinta is a reminder why we don't stay at this chain very often. Neither A/C nor toilet work.

2 Sept. The BMW dealer provided a loaner bike so we were able to have breakfast at the Egg and I. The bike was ready with new tire and installations by 1PM. Now we have to figure out tomorrow's destination before dinner at The Winery ( corn on the cob! Blackened red snapper) The hotels are filled and pricey on Labor Day weekend. After dinner the LaQuinta desk attendant helped us locate a room for tomorrow night at Silverthorne.

1 Sept. Today is a difficult anniversary; Cynthia's son Scott died from Leukemia September 1, 1998 after a short life well-lived. Breakfast was at Jean Pierre's before riding to Grand Junction, CO; the bike has a service appointment in the morning. After a great ride on the million dollar highway, stopping at Ouray Brewery for lunch, we rode through the beautiful Box canyons making one stop to lie down because Ron was falling asleep. How fun to see three or four groups of wild turkey hens cross the road. The bike is at the shop for the 6000 mile service tomorrow, Gerbings plug installed, and a new tank case bag. Dinner at The Winery was delicious.

These guys are in a hurry to get to Grand Junction.

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July - Happy Birthday Month

31 July: Great hiking weather. 6.5 miles on the Turkey Hill Trail and Catamount Trail; now we need a lot of sorbet. Thanks to Donna P. For sending the news item from the hometown news column of events from 25 years past.

The 25 years ago column of the Northwood Anchor published the above item.

30 July: Pagosa Springs CO: the birthday continues ...

Wolf Creek Pass: The temperature is cooler and rain clouds appeared while hiking the Continental Divide Trail for an hour.

29 July: Pagosa Springs until Wednesday with tired legs. Ron's work on Vol. 7 continues with WordPerfect Files being transformed into Word documents to include footnotes, now making good progress through the baptisms. Cynthia is elated with her research on Linda's family dating back to Merry Olde England and Ireland; and finally the FTDNA Lea research was sent to a geneticist for analysis. It is raining with blue skies above; Ron ran down stairs to watch the bike, but it has already dried. Racing in for a cup of water, he emerged to more rain. Life is sure Fun. We had a light dinner at Riff Raff before a two hour hike On Coyote Hill. Photos below we failed to post from Saturday night in Santa Fe - brilliant colors including a rainbow:

28 July: Pagosa Springs, CO. Our legs are tired, but we walked in 80 plus degrees to an awesome breakfast. Not deterred by the heat, we hiked on to City Market to mail letters and buy food for a hiker with a sign asking for money to purchase food. He was gone by the time we returned. Cynthia is enjoying the food. The heats's too hot, so we worked on DNA and SCS projects until the temperature cooled down for a two hour hike. Deer and a gorgeous sunset.

27 July: We had a delightful morning discussing happiness worthy of a book: "How Two Opposites Can Be So Happy." Many years ago we started a book titled, "The Sensual, Sexual Relationship." Maybe next century we will finish it. Breakfast at 2Chicks and a Hippie Bakery/Restaurant was delicious. Our hike accidentally turned into 7 miles round trip. Our legs are tired. A glance in the mirror told Ron he is very dark despite sunblock.

26 July: Departing for Pagosa Springs, CO, we were packed by 11:00 AM with a box to be shipped to Texas; Ron was misdirected to the post office which was 1/4 mile from the hotel, causing him to drive halfway to Santa Fe before turning around. Box in the mail - bike packed - when someone needed to eat lunch before departure, but we were en route by half past noon thirty. The views were remarkable, especially around Ghost Ranch. The dark thunderheads above appeared ominous at times; three times showers fell briefly, but we arrived at our hotel dry. A favorite restaurant in now Sushi; we don't do Asian. Dinner at Boss Hogg's was fine. The salad bar is good but most entrees are not part of our eating regimen. Nina phoned for a lengthy chat. We located a map of hiking trails for tomorrow and responded to some e-mails. Granddaughter Zoe has the lead role in the musical, "Legally Blonde" at a summer theatre in Houston. (Hi Lupe! It is fun thinking of you reading our news.)

25 July: Hiking at the ski basin: meeting John and Linda at 7:45 AM, Ohmygoodness, that is very early. Ron and John hiked the Windsor Trail while Cynthia and Linda hiked the (far less strenuous) service road. We had lunch atVinaigrette and encountered rain on the way home. Ron returned to Santa Fe to play GO with Stewart who brazenly beat Ron both games.

24 July: Hiking Aspen Vista; a hiker fatality drew ambulances and the fire department, all happening about thirty minutes before we arrived. We had brunch with Janie at Harry's Roadhouse. Something or someone pounded on our exterior wall last night about 11:30 PM. Weird.

23 July: Hiking Aspen Vista with John and Linda

22 July: Lunch at Vinaigrette with Clare and Michael G.; dinner with John and Linda at Geronimo.

21 July: Our friend Marjorie M. sent this photo from Latin America, but I missed seeing the sign/name on top of the building immediately. Linda B. made delicious chicken curry for lunch; we enjoyed a delightful afternoon with Lupe and Bob B. After buying mango sorbet we enjoyed a terrific dinner with Mark V. And two of his neighbors. Here is a Link to the Huffington Post article about Cynthia's son, Paul:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/26/artist-interview-_n_8033056.html

20 July: Ron won the points for the first "I love you" of the day by e-mail. Cynthia returns to Santa Fe at one PM. Goody. The shuttle brought Cynthia to join Ron and Janie at Roadside Harry's for lunch where Ron enjoyed three sorbets. Later, Janie gave Ron a terrific haircut even if he didn't need one at all. We drove to Mark's to show off the new bike and got invited to dinner tomorrow night. Albertson's had the protein drinks we like along with more sorbet. Ron is working on Volume 7 of the Gloria Dei Record Project tonight.

19 July: Cynthia has a flight to Denver to visit grandson Brett, returning Wednesday; Ron is spending the day with Tony and June. Cell Phone service at Buffalo Thunder is deplorable. Ron finished the Walraven family group sheets and e-mailed them to John.

18 July: Finally, we have stronger Wi-FI, albeit not speedy, allowing Ron to work on SCS projects and Cynthia on DNA. At one PM the computers were closed while the Smooch family rode to Santa Fe for lunch at Vinaigrette's with Nina and Janie; we talked the afternoon away while tiny apricots fell on our heads from the tree overhead, followed by raindrops. The latter was a call to boogie back to Buffalo Thunder with a quick stop at Chevron for fuel and then Trader Vic's for Mango Sorbet. The Homewood Suites has a happy hour daily from 5-7 with soup and salads. The sorbet is ALL gone.

17 July: Ron and Cynthia at Pecos National Monument with Stuart and Judy remembering their wedding twenty five years ago when Ron was a happy guest.

16 July: Happy Birthday Party at Radish and Rye (formerly Ristra's) with Santa Fe friends: Linda, Jim M., Mike and Maria, Mark V and Veta, Charlie B., Judy and Stuart K., Beautiful Nina, Janie E., Michael and Clare.

I'm

 

15 July: Baptism of 7 year old Pueblo Indian boy Moses at the Lama Foundation. The ecumenical baptism was a spiritual blessing. So was holding a precious papoose.

14 July: Taos, New Mexico - the Lama Foundation at Sunset

13 July: Pagosa Springs, CO: arrival tonight after a stop to see friends (Maria and Mike) who are vacationing in South Fork, CO. After checking in to our lodging, we dined at our favorite restaurant, the Alley House, before soaking in the hot mineral springs.

12 July: Gunnison, CO from Durango through Silverton, Ouray and Ridgway, Montrose (lunch at the Stone House), the Black Canyon. The new bike handles like a dream.

11 July: Durango, CO after riding north from Ouray to Ridgeway, Telluride, Rico, Dolores, Mancos (for lunch) we returned for an overnight in Durango. Cynthia forgot to wear the GoPro. The views were awesome.

10 July: Ouray, CO at the China Clipper B&B. After a hearty breakfast we commenced hiking the Perimeter Trail on the north side of Ouray to the Ice Park which is not as steep and exposed as the south side.

Ice Park Canyon Photo and view from the ridge:

 

9July: The General Palmer Hotel in Durango was very nice, although they could not prepare our diet restriction food. Instead, we enjoyed egg white veggie omelets at Jean Pierre's Cafe before mailing a package to friends. On our ride to Ouray, CO we rejoiced in the views of magnificent San Juan mountains. Our Ouray B&B also has trouble with our dietary restrictions, but Pam, the hostess and cook tomorrow will prepare egg whites. With afocus on vegan, gluten and organic, the cooks miss the problem of fat and sugar. Our walk downtown was great fun meeting some ladies from Iowa and Texas. Dinner at the Bon Ton was mighty delicious. We walked for a bit and had porch time. Ron made a number of phone calls to invite Santa Fe friends to Cynthia's birthday party. Happy birthday to Granddaughter Rachel (pictured below with her dad).

8 July: Leaving the Blue Lake Ranch B&B for Durango to take the train to Silverton with a return to Durango late day. Because of prior bookings, we had moved from the Piñon cabin (pictured July 3) to the Cottage in the Woods (pictured below). Good-byes said to Jackie, a blessing! The roundtrip train ride was spectacular even though we took the train three years ago. Lots of Texans on board. The 18 year old brakeman was a delight. Tim, the car concierge was quite a joy, too. Lunch at the Grand Hotel in Silverton was a disappointment because the waiter couldn't get the order right in three tries. Dinner tonight was at Jean-Pierre's Cafe Chic where we will have breakfast tomorrow in order to buy some fresh fat free bread.

7 July: Southern Ute Tribal Park tour: Rick, our guide, made it a moving spiritual experience. The ladder in photo one was one of five ladders we used to climb down to explore five cave dwellings. Cynthia climbed four but not the 38' tall ladder. After traveling on gravel, dirt and plain unpaved roads we are thankful to return alive.

6July: Mesa Verde: Knife Edge Trail - 2 miles of awesome views along the trail that once was the road/entrance into Mesa Verde. Colorful wild flowers were dancing in the mountain breezes. Kennebec Restaurant is doing a terrific job of feeding us dinner.

5 July: Mesa Verde: Weatherill Mesa Step House Trail - five miles, not including the mileage to view archaeological Pueblo and cave dwellings. Cynthia will post photos when the wi-FI is working.

 

4 July: Happy Fourth of July: Feel FREE to be thankful!

3 July: Blue Lake Ranch B&B: A late check out in Durango, breakfast with piano entertainment at Jean Pierre's Cafe Chic, and a walk about historic Durango, a ride to Hesperus for lodging at one of our favorite places to stay, dinner at Kennebec's where we were startled by a $93.00 bill... (A mistake) followed by more walking and sitting amidst hummingbirds, a hummingbird moth and gazillions of flowers. Now it is time for sleep. Good night.

2 July: Thanks to the French restaurant "Jean Pierre Cafe Chic" for creating marvelous egg white vegetable omelets without oil. We are sitting in the vintage Palmer House Hotel waiting for the rain to cease after watching the Durango to Silverton train depart without us; with rain forecast we opted to postpone the choo choo ride. The rain ceased and we hiked up to Lewis College meeting three young deer feasting on rain drenched leaves. The Red Snapper lunch at the organic Cyprus Cafe was yummy. Cynthia's highly nutritious carrot cake was a culinary delight.

1 July: Durango, CO, after dinner at Cypres Cafe, sorbet from City Market sounded like a great idea - so did an I love you card for Cynthia. After viewing many interesting and nice cards, voila! The the perfect card, "Someone like you happens once in a lifetime. I'm so glad you happened in mine." Cynthia was very surprised and a very happy girlie.

This morning's Monument Valley jeep tour was amazing; so, too was the fascinating story of Harry and Mike Gouldings who were responsible for all of the western movies filmed there. Cynthia posted photos from the tour; notice the last photo of the sky as we rode to Durango. By the time we reached Cortez we were in warm rain gear when the rain came.

 

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