Denver

We left Sioux City about noon on Mother's Day, bound for Denver.  Spent a rainy night at a KOA on the banks of the Platte River, seen here. 

Got to Denver on Monday and headed for Cherry Creek State Park.  As we were setting up at our campsite, Mandi drove up.  She was doing some errands and happened to drive by the park gate and thought, Hmm, wonder if they're here yet.  And we were.

We made a Costco run, had lunch, and then went to the apartment she and Paul have rented in the Lowry area of Denver.  Lowry is an "urban-infill" multi-use development on the site of the former Lowry Air Force Base.  Their apartment is in a building that housed officers quarters.  They're across the street from a nice commercial village with trendy shops and restaurants, plus a chain grocery store.  The apartment has an open floor plan (probably why it's called a "Loft," that plus the exposed heat/AC ducts) and easily holds much of the furnishings from their Nashville house.  Here are a couple of pictures.

Underground parking is another feature of their apartment, particularly appreciated when leaving for work on dark, cold, snowy winter mornings.  They're happy to be in Denver and we're happy for them and glad for another reason to visit Denver.

Next day we worked our way across the metro area to Chatfield State Park, located close to Highlands Ranch where (our other) Jeff and Valerie live, with granddaughter Malia.  Here was the scene Wednesday morning.

The moose wanted to play outside and the bears wanted to hibernate another 30 days.

The snow we got, though, was considerably less than what the forecasters had said was possible.  Nevertheless, and not just because of this Denver snow, the next time we take an April/early-May trip I think we'll stay south of the Mason-Dixon line.  We both took lots of warm-weather clothes and didn't get much chance to wear them the last five weeks. 

We spent all day Wednesday entertaining and being entertained by Malia while Jeff worked from home and attended to the installation of a large tree in their back yard.  Here are some Malia shots.

Tuesday afternoon gymnastics class.

 Dancing.

Getting the giggles from Susie during dinner.

We had a fun day.  Without coaching, Malia said, "I love you, Grandpa."  That was a thrill.  Just after we got back to Tuzigoot Wednesday evening, the phone rang.  Jeff said they were watching TV and Malia seemed kind of down.  She said, "I miss Nai-nai and grandpa," So she told us Hi and Bye one more time.  Aahhh.

Drove home on Thursday.  Weather a little messy between Denver and Colorado Springs, ice on the windshield briefly, but otherwise uneventful.  Forgot to take the traditional home-again shot through the windshield.

Statistics:

38 days,  3600 miles in Tuzigoot, 5300 miles on the GPS (Tuzigoot plus Explorer), 950 RT air miles from Louisville to Raleigh.

Saw five out of six kids, four out of five grandkids. (Those "left out:" daughter Heidi, whom we visited in March in Las Vegas; granddaughter Kaci, whom we saw last night and who is en route to Las Vegas to stay with Heidi and work a summer job at the Bellagio.  On the family front I should also add seeing my mother, two sisters, and assorted nephews in OK.)

Lots of quality time in Kentucky.


Susie says it was our most relaxed trip yet.  We had a great time.

Cheers,

Susie and Rob