Tequila and Guachimontones

Circular pyramid in Guachimontones

Cathedral in Tepic, Mexico

Trumpet player in Tequila, Mexico

Jim and I bit the bullet and took a two day road trip WITHOUT THE KIDS to Tequila, Mexico... home of Don Jose, Rubio, Don Kiko and many others. It's a clean town where the garbage trucks come down the cobblestone streets blaring Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Hotels are affordable at around $30 a night and the sweet/pungent odor of tequila is light and delicious in the air. We arrived too late to do a factory tour and 10am sounded way too dangerous to take one, so we bought a nice bottle of Anejo and called it good enough.

Music students posing for us in Tequila, Mexico

From darling Tequila, we boogied down to Teuchitlan where we hiked the Guachimontones ruins, 3000 years old and the only circular pyramids known. The view was incredible and the ancient civilization left behind many clues about who they were and how they lived.

One note - we paid about $60 USD on the toll road from Mazatlan. Nice road, but good grief! We took the scenic free roads all the way back. granted, it was a longer drive but we weren't eager to spend more on tolls than on gas.

BAILEY (1997 - 2011)

In memory of the best dog we have ever known.

Fall Equinox

With the late season, we were able to enjoy Olathe Sweet Corn during our Colorado visit. Unfortunately with the Rocky Ford cantaloupe scare, we didn't get any fresh cantaloupe.

Only a snippet of the colors we witnessed.

I was super sensitive this trip. I'm sure it mostly stems from my mother's 12 year anniversary of her death. She died here in Delta and we were visiting the exact same day. She had pancreatic cancer and was diagnosed 8/23/1999. A month later, she died. It was right before Carolyne was born and I will never forget it.

My mother, Carol.

Colorado's beauty and farewell to summer during the fall is unforgettable. The colors are vivid and vibrant. A leaping or jump - last call to remembrance.

I can't say that we will move there again. Too expensive and our lives have changed so much. But I am so appreciative of the time we shared there.

Kendra

Visiting Kendra was a definite plus of going to Colorado. This is Tim's half sister - long story. Kendra has been a part of my family for almost 13 years. She babysat the kids years ago and along with her brother Jeff, parents Ken and Laurie, and step-brother Nick... well let's just say, we have a very colorful dysfunctional family Christmas when we get together. Now that everyone is spread apart, those days seem like eons ago.

Carolyne, Kendra & Tim

Kendra, recently married to Jeremy, is happily living in Montrose and getting ready to move into their new house. She is beautiful and smart and we love her.

Carolyne, Kendra, Tim & Jeremy

One of my favorite spots on the drive between Delores and Telluride... minus the wires.

Arizona and Western Slope of Colorado

After not visiting my sister for over 3 years in Colorado, it was a welcome sight to drive the 11 hours from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Montrose, Delta and Cedaredge, Colorado. The colors were just beginning to change and because the season was late we were able to partake in the Olathe Sweet Corn that is famous in the small town from which my husband graduated from high school.

Sam in background, Carolyne and center, Ben.

Tim with Grandpa's toy

Gabe, Ben and Sam

Carolyne

My friend, Debbie, and her beloved project, Bella

I love Colorado. I wish we still had a home there. Visiting with my sister, her husband and their boys just made me long for the mountains even more. The golden leaves, snow peaked mountaintops and crisp air was welcome respite after a long and sweaty summer waiting it out in Mazatlan.

Arizona Photos

The Lake Havasu weather has been spectacular - cool in the morning and dry heat in the afternoon. Beats the heck out of Mazatlan in the summertime.

The neighborhood cat-eating coyote turned and ran as soon as I took the camera out.

Here I am surrounded by Hams

Reiner Schick - fellow Ham and sailor

Dad at The London Bridge - this one didn't fall down, but was moved here stone by stone.

A break from the cruising life is wonderful to me. I am really enjoying my time with Dad. He's spoiled us rotten - taken us to lunch on numerous occasions. And for my birthday yesterday he took us all to Laughlin, NV to play slot machines and eat. Shopping, too.

Our friend, Gwen. She took me to The Refuge for a girl's night out.

Dick helping us check out our refurbished Icom 710 Marine and Ham radio.

Me sitting in front of London Bridge in my new $3 hat I bought at JC Penney's SALE! 

Run for it is right! This Stinkster was making haste on the beach.

Lake Havasu is really beautiful this time of year. Dad and I take walks every morning at the lake.

A kayaking paradise

Mexican Bird of Paradise

How To Sail Your Boat Under That Low Bridge

My father-in-law forwarded this video to me and my mouth is still hanging open in disbelief.
http://www.wimp.com/mastbridge/