Go West

On February 7^th I decided to go to Denver.  New babies in the family and an uncle celebrating his 70^th birthday on the 23rd prompted this trip.  I left central Ohio in an ice storm; DH and I always joke that on the rare occasion that we plan a trip bad weather can be expected.  Just a note here that I hate flying more than anything (right up there with driving on the outer belt  freeway during inclement weather) and actually got a prescription for anxiety from my physician in order to make the flight more bearable and it worked!  Better living through chemistry.   I arrived in Denver mid- morning and my uncle Henry from Ohio who had driven out with my aunt Patty picked me up and the airport and took me to my cousin Angie’s house that she shares with her partner Maureen.  Only a couple family members knew I was making the trip because I wanted to surprise uncle Ray, the birthday boy, who is also my godfather.  Aunt Patty got a surprise too, when I arrived, and it was great fun to see her expression when I walked in the door at my cousins home.  Of course a non-stop gab fest ensued right on through the afternoon and into dinner at The British Snug (dinner was fish and chips, the best I have ever eaten)  in downtown Denver, at which time my cousin Greg joined in on the festivities which were followed by a visit to a the Denver Art Museum.  At the museum there was, to my delight, a Georgia O’Keefe exhibit, a wine and cheese party and also a painting station where my aunt and I stopped to paint our own breathtaking masterpieces.  We got to bed at midnight which was 2 pm Ohio time. Rebbe, the Bichon Havenese, was more than happy to comply when I asked him if he to wanted snuggle.  DH said I better not let Daisy know that I cheated on her while in Denver. LOL

The next morning Angie, Maureen and I (aunt and uncle drove separately) went up the mountain (Rocky) to my uncles house near Conifer for the party.  We arrived early so as to have time for some extra visiting. Uncle Ray was totally surprised and excited to see me, as I hoped he would be and aunt Janet was pleased that we had pulled off the surprise.  Another aunt and uncle and a total of 9 (of 28) cousins were present. We have four new babies in the family all born between August and October of 2012 and three of them were at the party.  (I knitted baby booties for all the babies and fingerless driving mitts for my uncle). They were delighted. The babies were passed around and around and all of us “kids” got  to catch up with each other as our visits are infrequent due to everyone living all over the U.S.

At 2 pm I got a call from the airport telling me that bad weather was expected and I could change my flight with no additional charge.  An hour later the flight got cancelled. Darn!  I had to stay an extra day.

We went back down to Denver that night and the next day we had a blizzard. Conifer got 19 inches of snow and Denver got 10.  We were housebound all day and so we did what our family does best-cook and eat. For breakfast challah bread French toast (super yummy), lunch was Dagwood sandwiches and lentil soup, and dinner was amazing spaghetti –made that way by the sauce that my aunt whipped up from scratch. I didn't see any cars on the street as it was snowing and blowing so hard.  During a lag in the precipitation my uncle and I and Lucie the Labrador went outside to “play” and I used the snow blower to clear the driveway and my uncle did some shoveling.  That evening the Conifer clan sent me some photos as there were 15 mule deer in their backyard looking for something to eat from the bird feeder.

On Monday my flight was on schedule so we made the early morning trek to the airport in my aunt and uncle all-wheel drive vehicle.  Denver, unlike, Ohio is prepared for snow and people there actually know how to drive in it. And they use environmentally friendly sand for traction and not salt on the roads.  We were treated to spectacular rime ice displays along the roadside and my uncle stopped and let me take a few photographs since we had plenty of time before my flight. 

Needless to say I had an absolute blast and appreciated my hostess’s warm and welcoming home and of course am ready to go back tomorrow.  DH said twist his arm. Hope you enjoy the photos.

My bunny painting

 Driving/Hunting mitts

Me, Zoe and Uncle Ray  Prayers for baby Zoe as she has spinal muscular atrophy disease

I will cherish this photo.

 All the sweet babies ( modeling their booties) and their mom's Susan and Brianna,

 Emily and Leo, Eliza and Zoe

 Angie, Karen, Me, Emily and little Leo

 Rebbe and Lucie

 Fun in the snow

 Yummy french toast

 Mule deer

Rime ice