This weekend was our first attempt at a “new normal,” necessitated by a change in Cliff’s work schedule. We arrived on Friday, as usual, and enjoyed a typical Date Night with an exceptional grilled tenderloin and veggies. But on Saturday, we awoke at 6 a.m. for a quick cup of coffee and dog walk before…
We’ve been camping at Loyd Park for more than five years, but we only started to get acquainted with it this weekend. A postponement from earlier in the summer forced us outside our comfort zone, so we found ourselves at the opposite end of the park for the first time. While we were out walking,…
Inventor and travel promoter Wally Byam once said, “Keep your eyes on the stars, and the stars in your eyes…see if you can find out what’s over the next hill, and the next one after that.” Perhaps that’s why the travel club established in his name uses a star to indicate membership milestones. Although it has…
We arrived for our weekender, anticipating a transition to early fall-like weather. But shortly after setting up Cloud 9 and firing up the grill, we were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After nearly three decades on the court, and several bouts with cancer, she died…
After a long, hot summer with two months of at-home weekends, and after trekking to Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great Sand Dunes national parks, we finally resumed our weekend routine at Loyd Park. It has been five years since we designated Loyd Park as our weekend destination of choice, so our absence…
We had hoped to spend the day in Taos, but after reviewing New Mexico’s travel restrictions we decided not to go. Individuals traveling to New Mexico from states deemed high-risk based on COVID-positivity rates were required to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of their entry into New Mexico or for the duration of…
The sixth day of our adventure began with the mundane tasks of responding to emails, blogging, brunching, and then heading into town for groceries and supplies. By the time we set out for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, it was already mid-afternoon and searingly hot. At more than 750 feet, the dunes are…
As we prepared to leave the Black Canyon area to head towards Great Sand Dunes, we took a few hours to simply relax, read The New York Times, blog, and enjoy brunch. We pulled out of Montrose in the mid-afternoon and began our 185-mile trek to Alamosa, the “gateway” to Great Sand Dunes. Our destination:…
We dedicated the fourth day of our trip to exploring the floor beneath the South Rim of the Black Canyon, including the Gunnison River. We began the day at the Glass Doctor, having our driver’s window replaced and our windshield repaired. Five-hundred dollars later, we decided to get lunch while further supporting the local economy.…
By the third day of our adventure, we finally made our way to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, featuring some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Our hikes along the rim were limited to the distance from our truck to the overlooks, but the spectacular views were…
