Annette's Little World: Colorado

Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Friday, March 8, 2013

Rocky's Odyssey

On February 13^th, after deciding the preceding week to go to Denver for my uncle’s birthday party, I impulsively did a quick web search to see if I could locate any Satin Angora rabbits in the Denver area. I wanted to bring some new bloodlines into my herd as most of what is available around here is east coast stock. I sent an email inquiry to someone whose name was listed on some website as a breeder in Colorado and she replied that she didn’t have any Satin Angoras but gave me a couple leads. I contacted one of those sellers who happened to be two hours north of Denver in Laramie, Wyoming and found that she had what I was looking for (west coast stock-dam from Texas, sire from Colorado) and discussed logistics of getting the rabbit. At that point I thought I was going to bring the rabbit home in a pet approved carry-on bag. Wrong! Southwest Airlines only allows cats and small dogs. Don’t ask me why. As I was venting to DH about this rule he reminded me that my aunt and uncle were driving out for the party. At that point I was pretty much resigned that my endeavor was just not going to happen. I emailed the seller back and apologized that I had not checked the airline situation prior to contacting her but explained that I might possibly be able to arrange other transportation once I got there and that I would let her know if I could work something out. When I arrived in Denver, much to my delight my aunt and uncle were more than happy to get involved in what I am now calling The Great Rabbit Caper, going as far as setting up the exchange after I had gone back to Ohio. There was bad weather to contend with and the issue of what they were going to transport the rabbit in (I ended up purchasing carrying cage from the seller) and what day, weather permitting, a secondary party was going to be making the trip to Wyoming and back. Rabbit arrived here today, just a little over a week from the time he left his former home. For those of you interested in his odyssey- Marce (seller) sends rabbit from Laramie, Wyoming to Denver with client Eva Marie. Eva Marie meets aunt and uncle at her place of business off 1-70 in Denver. Rabbit travels 1200 + miles (with an overnight stop-over in Kansas City, Missouri) to Miamisburg, OH. My mom picks him up from aunt and uncle and cares for him for 4 days and then takes him to my friend and fellow rabbit enthusiast Maureen (who lives close by) whose husband John is John traveling through Central Ohio for a dog agility show this evening. Mom was going to meet DH the day following the rabbit’s arrival in the “burg” and I just happened to mention to Maureen that he was on his way when she graciously offered to save us a trip since John was coming this way anyhow. Rabbit has been apply named Rocky Mountain Ramblin’ Man. He was so sweet to all his care givers along the way that I was afraid someone would decide to keep him. Let’s hope Rocky (his dam was BOS at the ARBA National Convention in 2012) and Castanea make some pretty babies this spring. He is a beautiful rabbit with very nice type and wool and will definitely be an asset to my herd development.

All packed up and ready to leave cousin Angie's house with Aunt Patty and Uncle Henry.

(Film Clip)

Camping out at Grammies for a week.

Last pit-stop in Pickerington, OH

And home at last

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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.