Home From The Wilderness

It sure has been a long time since I have blogged. Being in the far northland for two weeks hampered my ability to connect with the world viva internet. It was a period of being catered to on the Sapphire Princess cruise ship for seven days, then taking a land tour inland by train and bus to Denali National Park in Alaska. It was a beautiful journey that I was priveldged to take with my good friend Linda Schneider. Believe it or not, we are still friends after sharing close quarters through out the trip. I will be chronilogically adding pictures over the next few weeks.

Our trip began in Denver where we flew to Seattle and stayed there overnight at the Edgewater Hotel. The same hotel that the Beatles stayed at and fished out the windows in the 60's. We visited the Pike Market District and the Space Needle.

Assortment of mushrooms at Pike Market

View from the Space Needle

Then on to Vancouver by AmTrack where we boarded the Sapphire Princess. Our first stop on the inlet passage tour was Ketchikan Alaska.

Saxman Totem Park

Totem

When I arrived home I was off to the races again. Unpacking and traveling to Bridgeport to watch Taylen's eighth grade football team beat the bulldogs 26 to 18. Thanks goes out to Paqui, Marc and Zeyda for watching my dog Rico. Also, I thank Floyd my neighbor for caring for my garden and cats. I have truly been blessed! When I got home, one of Floyd's leather repair customers bought my horse trailer and the horse tack.

Next week I will continue my pictorial journey from Juneau Alaska.

Dolly's house of ill repute on Street Creek, Ketchikan.

Harbor seal with salmon in Street Creek

Labor of Love

It certainly was a jammed back Labor Day weekend with family and friends! Marc, Paqui, Zeyda and I all rode to Denver on Saturday morning. Getting there just in time to watch the Husker game at the  Fox and Hound Bar and Grill in Broomfield, CO. We ate, cheered and drank with a sea of red shirted people of like minds.

Saturday night Marc went to the Phish concert with his brother Vince while Paqui, Zeyda and I went to Marc's Aunt Linda's 60th surprise birthday party. We were late for the surprise, but enjoyed visiting and watching the young ones hip hop to the music. Even I tried out my new knee and did the twist.

Sunday we met up with Jay, Jessamyn, Taylen and Jarret at the Flatiron Mall. We shopped and ate together prior to the big evening wedding. Our good friend's daughter Naomi Folkerts married Pierce Windom. They had a beautiful wedding at the Ralston Crossing in Arvada, C0. It was an outside venue with a stormy late evening possibility that cooled the air but caused no harm. Naomi was beautiful and Pierce love struck. Donn and Vicki were so proud and happy! Thank you for the great party and the honor of being able to celebrate this union with great food, conversation and spirits. I danced again and I now know my knee will hold up for the big Alaska trip.

Donn and Naomi

The deed is done!

Cutting the cupcake.

The first dance together.

Monday I awoke a little sleepy eyed and fuzzy in the head. Maybe I had a few too many toasts the night before. However, after a stop at Starbucks I was ready to celebrate Zeyda's fourth birthday at Dave and Busters. It was a child's and many adult's dream palace. With their good food and giant games that were spinning, flashing, and creating plenty of noise, it made just about everyone's day except for me. The noise and lights were a little much for this grandma who lives alone most of the time. Over all we enjoyed the wonderful family outing and being able to be all together again.