Such a Cutie Pie!

Van Diesel aka. Vance (2-19-12)

Good Things

We did some exploring yesterday here in Grand Junction and found a Cabela's Outdoor Store. We had a great time hanging out there yesterday checking on a few things for the RV. There is also an REI store here. We haven't seen one of those for awhile.

There are a lot of major stores in the area but seems pretty limited on scrap booking stores or groups.  Not sure where I am going to wander for a crop or card making class. Might have to create my own group.

Another good thing, we are happy with the water here after the bad water we had for several months in Florida.

The people we work for here in CO at Junction West RV Park are sure nice, as are our co-workers. Fun times.

Grand Mesa Scenic Byway

photo by Casey Day from the Powderhorn Website

Today we took a nice drive across the Grand Mesa. It was absolutely beautiful. We traveled upwards over 10,000 feet. The hills were covered with snow, the lakes were frozen and the aspen groves were bare but beautiful. The evergreens had globs of snow sitting in the branches. The trees looked like they had been frosted like cupcakes. We crossed over the Colorado River and the Gunnison River. We passed by a great ski area called Powderhorn Mountain Resort. It was fun to see all the snow mobiles, cross country skiers and people on snowshoes out and about.

Colorado National Monument

Saddlehorn Campground

 Today we took a really nice drive along the scenic Rim Rock Drive. It was a beautiful 23 mile drive, even if the sky was overcast and rain/snow is predicted this afternoon. We want to go back when there is some sunshine. 

Independence Monument

We were so excited to use our Senior Pass (America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass). It was the 2nd time we have used it and the first time to actually see a National Monument. Whoo Hoo!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Pug

Today was a fun day. I got to sleep in and Laton made me breakfast and coffee in bed. I enjoyed my morning very much. Now it is off to work this afternoon. This picture from Facebook tickled me. It is from the NJ SPCA.

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

She reminds me of the Flying Nun!

Phone Home!

 Today is Maggie's 3rd birthday.  She doesn't understand birthdays but she certainly understands extra treats!

Laton & Maggie in Florida November 2011

Maggie having fun!

Maggie is growing up!

Grand Junction, CO

We have arrived at our new position at Junction West RV Park. It is nice to be settling down for awhile. It is very cold, but dry so far. We have a nice view of the Colorado National Monument. We are so looking forward to exploring our new environment.

Golden, CO

We made it to Denver, CO today. The weather was clear and the roads were dry. We are staying at Dakota Ridge RV Park in Golden, CO. Sadie tip toes through the snow but Maggie snuffles in the snow and makes snow dog angels. I tried to get a picture of her but she moves too fast and doesn't stay still. This is the best we could do today. She likes me to make her snowballs and toss them in the air so she can catch & bite them. She is hilarious.

BRRRR!

We made it to Colorado today, but had trouble locating a campground or RV Park that was open. We finally found one that was semi-open. $25 for a snow site with electricity only, water was frozen and we didn't even bother with the sewer hook-up at that point. LOL

It was better than dry camping in a Wal-Mart parking lot which we haven't tried yet.

Snow Flurries

are predicted so we hunkered down for another day to get a few things done on the trailer and catch up on some laundry. We are now ready to hit the road again early tomorrow. We should hit the Colorado border tomorrow. Hoping for sunny, dry driving weather.

Misery!

We blasted across Missouri and have stopped for the night in Lawrence, KS. 

We have a touching family story about the word Missouri. One time, Lumara (my daughter) wrote me a sympathy card when I was sad about my mom being ill with bone cancer. She told me I didn't look good with my face all puffy from crying and she hoped I would feel better when Grandma wasn't in Missouri (instead of misery) anymore. I thought it was a precious card and actually saved and scrap booked it.

We have stopped for the evening in Lawrence, KS. According to the history, Lawrence was burnt during Quantrill's massacre in 1861. Laton & I love to watch westerns and have seen references to that time in history. It is also one of the largest cities in the USA that does not have a mall. All the stores are located downtown along Massachusetts Street and is very quaint looking. It is also the home of University of Kansas and the Haskell Indian Nations University.

We were told by the park manager, this park is located on the spot where Quantrill camped, so we are enjoying the thought that our campfire is in the same spot as a historic campfire.

The Arch

Today was a good drive with clear, dry roads. We drove through a corner of Indiana, across the bottom of Illinois and guess where we ended up?

Yep, St. Louis! We found an RV Park at Casino Queen but it was closed for the season. We ended up dry camping at the Casino truck parking. The best part was... it was free! The better part... more money for dinner and some gambling! But the priceless part was enjoying the super bowl. Yea for the Giants!

Heading West

We began our westward trek to Grand Junction, CO today. We left early in the morning and headed up to Opal, VA to meet our friend Liz and her son Devon. We had a hard time getting together with them because of crazy schedules. We decided to meet halfway and have breakfast at McDonald's. Liz is a friend from AZ who now lives in VA. It was fun to see Devon. He was in preschool last time I saw him. Now he is in school and playing soccer. He is sooooo tall now. After breakfast, they went home and we began our trip. We made it to Milton, WV and stayed at a KOA there. The weather was cloudy, rainy and lots of fog and cold, cold, cold.

Little Girl

Facebook Me-Little Girl

Real Me - Princess Lard-Ass

I realized I had no picture of Little Girl to post so I asked Angela to send me a couple. 

I don't know how many people are on Facebook, but recently there was a photo that went around of a pretty faced, but really chubby kitty that was titled Facebook Me and then another photo titled Real Me.