Mr. FixIt was in an automotive store picking up a part for my truck when I was preparing to leave on this trip. He was telling the sales guy about all the trouble I was having getting out of town with the camper. They guy handed him the part and said, “Well, it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out.” Mr. FixIt laughed and said, “I don’t know…everything is an adventure with Ginny McKinney!” He gets me! Yesterday was no exception.

This is the hard part…saying goodbye. I don’t like goodbyes. I miss my kids and my grands when I’m in West Virginia. I wish we lived closer. At one point I was ready to move back to Colorado. But man…the cost of living is nearing the breaking posing for most people and it has gotten so incredibly crowded. As much as I will miss my girls, I am longing for home…for the peacefulness of the country…for smaller towns and fewer crowds.

I love listening to live music. We met Daughter #1 and the grands for dinner then attended the outdoor concert at Flatirons Crossing…a large mall in Louisville, CO. They left at intermission so when the band started up again, I led Mr. FixIt out on the dance floor for the second half. I love to dance, but my 64-year-old knees were screaming in protest before long. I’ll pay for it today, I’m afraid.

My friend, Fred, lost his mom yesterday. We got the word while we were visiting Buffalo Bill’s grave. It made me think of my mom. It made me think back to when my oldest was about three and Mom came out to Colorado for a visit. I brought her up here and we sat on this very bench. She was well and happy and healthy and I thought I’d have her forever. Years later, my mom got sick suddenly and was gone in five days.

There has been a major shift within me this trip. I wasn’t sure going into this vacation how I would react sharing the space that is mine in Colorado with both Mr. Virgo’s memory and Mr. FixIt’s presence. How would everything fit? At home on the farm in West Virginia, Mr. Virgo only occupies space in my mind and heart as well as what few tangible things I have kept that were his. Here, he lives in the mountains, he sits in the sunsets, he whispers in the wind that blows through the trees. He’s everywhere. Would he distract me too much? How would I feel entertaining two men…one very much here, the other very much real but not here?

The trip out west is winding down. The kids are busy with camps and getting ready for school so there isn’t as much time for visiting. I could spend another month showing Mr. FixIt around Colorado, but there are things that need tending to back home. I was going to stay till the end of August so I could attend a Sisters on the Fly event. However, I am hosting a Sisters event in WV the first week of September and there are still so many details to take care of and I want it to be memorable for the gals. So, I’m heading back east this weekend. I’m not going to put Mr. FixIt on the plane…he’s going to drive back with me. We have found an alternate route that will take us along the America River on a two lane and off the wicked roar of the interstate. I’m looking forward to an easier ride home with good company.

Whew….some Mondays we just have to go to church here at the Ranch. Especially when I’ve heard a sermon like yesterday. Let me tell you a little bit about how God works in my life. There’s a church here in Denver that I really like…Red Rocks Church. It’s very much like my home church in West Virginia…contemporary, progressive, energetic. I love it and couldn’t wait to take Mr. FixIt. Red Rocks Church has four campuses plus a prison outreach. One campus has the pastor live and all the others watch a live feed on the big screen in their respective churches. I usually go to the Arvada campus, but I really wanted Mr. FixIt to hear the sermon live. I was planning to drive down to the Littleton Campus in order to accomplish that. I’m always quick to get ready but yesterday I just couldn’t seem to get it together. I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the clock and saw we would be lucky to make it to the local satellite church. We made a bee line and got there in time to grab a cup of coffee and get seated. As we were walking into the sanctuary, a volunteer said, “You’re in for a treat today…the pastor is here live with an amazing message!” I couldn’t believe it. If we would have left on time to get to the other church, we would have been watching the pastor on the big screen! God fascinates me. His ways are so mysterious. His love is so complete.

I don’t think the trip back to Denver was quite as difficult as going over. Yesterday was overcast, rainy, and much cooler and that helped keep the transmission temperature down. That and the fact that the eastbound approach to the Eisenhower Tunnel is a much more gradual slope. But Vail Pass? Brutal! It is so steep I drove much of it at less than twenty-five miles per hour and the transmission temp still shot up to 232 degrees! I had to pull off the road three times to let the truck cool down. I tried the trick of staying in third gear and that didn’t help. I have vowed never to pull this camper with this truck over these mountains…ever again. It was too stressful and I was exhausted when I was done. But, we arrived safely and got parked back under the tree at my son-in-law’s parents’ house so all is right with the world.

After a busy day sightseeing, we visited with my “surrogate parents” and my sweet brother. We walked around town and looked at the darling shops of downtown Glenwood Springs and chose one of my favorite restaurants for dinner…The Riviera Supper Club. So, I’m out on the town with my man as I jot this note to you…and this is “all she wrote” for today. We will head back to the campground (NO cell service or WiFi…yay!!!) We’ll head back to Denver tomorrow! ❤️

Seriously…have you seen anything more beautiful than this??? Maroon Bells…the most photographed scene in Colorado. Mr. FixIt has never been to Colorado and I’m trying to jam in as many amazing sights I can in the short time we are up here in the mountains. We got our exercise yesterday! We started with The Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen Highlands to see Mr. Virgo’s Memorial. They planted a tree and laid a plaque in his honor off the patio of his restaurant in the hotel. It has grown about three feet since they planted it. I felt him all around me there. He loved that restaurant and the view. After paying our respects and talking to some of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ritz Carlton, we took the shuttle up to Maroon Bells Wilderness Area and hiked around the lake and through meadows of mountain wildflowers in their prime. The Colorado sky did not disappoint, and even though we didn’t see the bear Mr. FixIt wanted to see, he had a grand time. By the time we finished our hike we were famished. We took the shuttle bus back into Aspen Highlands and drove into Aspen for a late lunch. We walked the streets, people watching and browsing through the shops till it was time to head back to the camper. There was live music in the park last night and we didn’t want to miss that. We have no cell or phone service in the campground so I have to post when I have service somewhere. If I miss a day, don’t worry…it just means I didn’t come to town.