Home from Vacation

  We had a lovely vacation in Colorado.    Every day I thank God for the wonderment of living in such a beautiful world and allowing me to see it.   This Iowa girl thinks the mountains are amazing.

      Even though going through the Rockie Mountain national park I was clutching the seat with my stomach in my throat at the dizzying heights it was beautiful.   The smells of the mountains,  the beautiful thin air.   We would go hiking and both of us would be puffing like steam engines in a short time.   Not used to being that high up.   But every hike was worth it and we both said there were for sure uglier places to die.

  

They have a beetle up there that is killing off a huge amount of trees.   You see dead brown trees by the thousands.  It is so sad and they don't know how to control it.  Leaving all those dead trees the fire danger is very high.  But even with the dead and dying trees it was so lovely.   I was up on some passes that were over 12,000 ft.   On top of world looking down on creation.   Above the tree line with some snow.  Amazing

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Then we went to see the Great Sand Dunes.   The closer you got the larger they became.   What a strange thing this huge sand dune at the base of a mountain.   I wish we had been there in June when they get their snow runoff and the entire area becomes a big sand lot to play in with shallow water.   Neither of us climbed the dunes as I know I wouldn't have made it with my knees and breathing still not great in the altitude.   Rick's knee was bothering him also from all the hiking the day before so we just walked a short ways and enjoyed the view.  You can see people at the very top of the highest dune in the shot if you click on it to make it larger.

    I would have liked to stay there a couple of days and get photos at different times of the day.  The dunes are always changing and just so impressive.  They are 700 ft tall I believe they said.  You can see people at the top.   The sand gets to 140 degrees so you have to haul plenty of water.

      I also got to go through Eisenhower tunnel which is the longest in the country I believe.   It did creep you out being under a mountain for so long but it was neat.

    And I finally got to go to Mesa Verde,  something I have wanted to do forever.   I really wish I had made it before I got bad knees but I will take what I get and be happy for the chance to see them.    We got caught in a terrible storm up on top of that mountain with lightening striking close on both sides of the van adding to our excitement at being there.   Nothing like traveling on hairpin turns on a steep mountain in blinding rain to make you grateful to be alive.

   A funny thing.  We were hiking up on top and came across some fresh scat.   I knew they had bear up there and didn't know what it could be.   It looked like horse poo.   We hadn't seen any horses and it was off the pass so I was worried there was a bear around.  Such tourists, LOL.   We got in the van and drove around the corner and there it was........... the wild beasts that had worried us.

Who  would have thought they would have wild horses way up there.  I am so glad I didn't ask the ranger about the poo I saw,  Duh.

   We also stopped at all the expensive ski resorts.   Not my cup of tea at all.   Very very crowded and expensive.   I got a meal for 22 dollars there I could have gotten for 10 here,  and better also.  I was sad to see souvenirs for the most part are all as cheap looking no matter where you go and all the same ole same ole.  I did pick up some new Keene's at a outlet store though for a great price.    But the crowds bothered me.  I guess I am small town.  Waiting half way around the block to get into a restaurant to eat when you are tired and hungry is a drag.

   We did find this great Texas BBQ place that had a man singing that sounded just like Willie Nelson.   So we had great smoked meat and a great time sitting outdoors listening to the songs of Willie.   Like is good.   And we found great beer our entire trip.

 Colorado has breweries all over in every town.  Huge ones and small ones.   We made sure to hit a good one when we settled in for the day and took a brewery tour to boot.  It was a lovely trip.

    This morning it was with some nervousness I stepped on the scale to see what the damage would be.   Wow,  down 2 more pounds.   Yippy.   I tried so hard to be good with cheerios for breakfast and fresh fruit in the car to munch on.  But hours of traveling,  not to mention brew pubs and good dinners I was sure I put on some weight.   Nope.  What a relief.

       So it is back to work tonight.   I will be tired but happy to be back to earning some money.  It was a great trip.

Loving the Rockies

   We are having a great time.   I am even better on the Mountains, not as freaking as last time.  And the moose and the views made it all worth it.  I have a ton of shots so far.   We are going to the Great Sand Dunes National monument today.

Hi

         It's a misty morning so far.   The sun is suppose to come out later and heat up everything so I have a feeling the humidity is going to be bad.    So we are going riding early.   I am ready and waiting for the others to get here.   I love riding in the morning when it is like this.

       Unfortunately riding my bike has been bothering my wrist.   I am wrapping it with a ace wrap and wearing my brace for support.  I think it will just take time.   I do a lot of riding with one hand.   Where we are going riding today was hit by a bad storm 2 weeks ago.   There are trees down all over.  What a mess and what a challenge riding but they are getting it cleaned up pretty good.  I am sure glad I wasn't out there riding when the storm hit as it came up pretty sudden.

      Next week hubby and me are going for a week long road trip.   My son is going to stay here and mind the ole dog and guinea.    We are not sure where we are going but we are taking our bikes.   Probably Colorado or New Mexico.  It should be fun.   I am a little nervous about eating as we will be eating out and that makes it harder,  but not impossible to make good choices.   I don't want to gain any weight back I have been working so hard to remove.

     I went shopping yesterday as I needed new clothes in the worse way.   I could no longer keep my pants up even with elastic waists.   I was so pleased to find out I can shop in the regular sections for everything now.   Really broadens the choices and selections.   And I look pretty good for a old broad if I say so myself.

      I started back to work this week.  It went well but both my wrists were sore from all the typing by the morning.   I just can't type as much these days as you can tell by the sporadic posts.   I will ache for hours after typing much so just don't put myself through it as much.  But I do pop in and read your posts and will do that after I do this.   I miss our close group. 

       Well,  finally the rest of the riders are here.   I will try and post some photos of the damage out there.  Take care all.

If you don't quit, you can't fail

Don't Quit

When you eaten too much and you can't write it down,
and you feel like the biggest failure in town.
When you want to give up just because you gave in,
and forget about being healthy and thin.
So What!  You went over your points a bit,
it's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change.
It's learning the skills to get back in your range.
It's telling yourself, "You've done great up till now.
 You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal.
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
if you summon the will to get back in the race.
But, often the struggler's, when loosing their grip,
just throw in the towel and continue to slip.
 And learn too late when the damage is done,
that the race wasn't over...they still could have won.
Lifestyle change can be awkward and slow,
but facing each challenge will help you grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint in a cloud of doubt.
When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit,
If you bit it, you write it....But don't you quit!
~author unknown~

Wow

      I see they have a spam setting now and my little porn visitor is going to that file now.   How lovely and about time as I know I am not the only blog having trouble with the troll.   Thanks blogger.

    Well my grandkids are gone and we getting used to the quiet lonely house again.  Sigh.   Miss them a lot.  But.........  my doc released me back to work next Tuesday so I will find ways to keep busy.   Plus he is saying no restrictions so it's bike riding time for me.   I have missed my bike.   Course lately we are having flooding and heat issues in Iowa.   Rick got heat exhaustion yesterday while riding and almost worse.  But they say cool weather is on the way tomorrow.   Time to ride.

     I am getting a new scale.   The Eatsmart scale is just the best scale.   I love the one I had as it weighed me exactly the same as at my docs so I knew it was accurate.   And their customer support is the best.   I am getting the 5 star rated one.   I like this one so much more the my WW scale I had.   I really don't want my self esteem taking a blow everyday with fat measurements and I don't want Hubby being able to see my weight since it stores it.  What he doesn't know won't hurt him.   All he needs to know is I am one hot old lady and I weight less them him which is a real triumph for me.   I didn't use to.

   So the dieting is still going good.    Slow, but good.   I have lost all the weight I gained back plus some and am feeling pretty darn good.   We have been hitting the farmers market and keep fresh veggies around and every morning I have a smoothie I make out of fresh fruit I have frozen and almond milk.   

     The pets are all doing well.  Zoey is acting better since the glucosamine and Rick is still overfeeding her but not as much.   Chester is still cute and fuzzy.   I gave him a bath the other day and he was just purring away.   They love baths.

    Well,  time to go.   I have to also highly recommend My Fitness Pal if your trying to lose weight or get fitter.   It's completely free and I think the reason I am having so much success is partly due to this site.  If you decide to join let me know.  We can be pals,

It's hot here

   While I was working in the yard I heard the ice cream truck so decided to get a treat since it was soooo hot.

I was too late, must be the humidity. 

Hot summer days

    As you can see we have had some high water in Iowa and one of our trails is under water.    As a result of all the rain and water we are being plagued with Mosquitoes.  The little blood suckers are everywhere and you have to make a mad dash to your car to prevent getting bit.   4 or 5 will get in and then you have to smack them down our they continue their feast while you drive across town.

   I usually hate putting bug spray on but I am this year.  Nasty little critters.  If it isn't the ticks it's these.

   Well the kids are gone and I am back to a quiet boring house.   I agree Misty,  I would love it if families all lived together.   I always liked having my kids here and their kids.  Big noisy chaotic mess of fun.

   Tomorrow I am going to call my doc and see if he will give me a work release for the 17 like we originally planned.   Work expects me back and that is when I thought I would be going back.  But I don't see him until the 30th.   My wrist is coming along pretty good thanks to therapy.

   I also went to a therapist about my knees.   He gave me some exercises to try and strengthen them.   The left one is still so swollen and if I overdo it they are pretty painful but I also think they are getting better.   If they continue to be a problem I may get shots in them.  I want conservative treatment if possible.

   Summer is almost over.   The time seems to have flown by.   Sad isn't it.   Soon I will be back to work and making some good money again.  Its a good thing.

    Well, take care all.