Lazy summer days. Floating in the pool keeping cool and chatting with an old friend. Fresh, clean food straight from the grill with a glass of wine. (Fré makes a nice dealcoholized Cabernet that is quite nice.) then the Zac Brown Band in concert at Coors Field. And that was just July 3rd!
Barbara and I have been friends for 25 years. We raised our kids together. Our husbands were colleagues. We stitched and quilted, baked and canned, laughed and cried through the ups and downs of life and I adore her and her family. She's who I called when Mr. Virgo had his heart attack. I couldn't think of anyone else and she started the ball rolling. She's always been there when I've needed her and I hope I've returned the favor. There's nothing like the love of our sister-friends.
I absolutely surprised the heck out of myself this trip. I haven't slept in a tent in 35 years and even then it wasn't a terribly successful endeavor. It was with Hubby #2, it was late June, and we were setting up a little two man tent in the snow on Wolf Creek Pass. I blew up two little air mattresses that I insisted on having only to stick a fork in one and proclaim that one as HIS. It was cold, we had poor equipment, and I did not have fun. Along about 11:00 when I was praying I'd fall asleep, a car pulled up and turned off the engine and lights. No doors opening and closing. No sound at all. I got brave enough to look out and in was a small motor home. I informed hubby #2 if he ever wanted to get me alone in the woods again, it would be in one of those. We never got alone in the woods again.
Lost Lake Campground is located high up Kebler Pass. Many years ago, Mr. Virgo and I stopped her for lunch and were run off by the campground host as we weren't camping…just out for a drive. I always swore I'd come back but I couldn't remember how to get there. I was meandering along through the woods yesterday and felt that familiar nudge I get when Mr. Virgo's trying to get me to do something.
On the road between Creede and Lake City, CO is an innocuous little turnoff for Clear Creek Falls. As you turn into the parking lot, you can see a small creek meandering through the fields. But come closer and you see a great gash in the earth and this small stream goes crashing headlong over the cliff with a mighty roar.
At the end of yoga practice, you put your hands together in a prayer pose, bow to the others in the room, and say "Namaste". It means, "The divine in me honors the divine in you." You recognize the similarities between you, not the differences. There are no colors. There are no lines in the sand. There are no differences in dogma. Only the sameness of the divine spark that lives within each of us. For me, that divine spark is God. If someone else calls this spark of life by a different name, if they follow a different path, it is not my place to judge them. It is my place to love them.
This was my view last night as I sat on the patio visiting with my friends. This is such a magical place. I've posted from here many times and its beauty never ceases to amaze me. The mountain you see in the distance is Mesa Verde, home of the Ancient Ones…the Cliff Dwellers. There's good energy here. But alas…it was just a short stay this time as I head out on the road again today. Not at all sure where I'm heading. Footloose and fancy free…that's me!
Ok, it's probably been 35 years since I slept in a tent. It was quite the adventure. In all actuality, I slept fairly well. I made sure the food was locked up in the car and I slept with my gun within reach, especially since the camp host said there are bears there regularly. I woke up once during the night to use the facilities and it was a bright enough moon to see so I wasn't worried. The lady in the campsite next to me just marveled that I camp alone. Gosh, it wasn't like I was alone. The campground I stayed at had eight loops so there were plenty of people there.
Mr. Virgo managed the restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Aspen when he died. He was a beloved employee and when the ground thawed, they planted a Colorado Blue Spruce just off the restaurant patio in his memory. They had a barbecue for all the employees and had his favorite guitarist come and play "Annie's Song". People told stories. I got up to speak. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. As a matter of fact, when I visited today, one of Mr. Virgo's coworkers was there and she cried when we talked about him. It warms my heart to see how well thought of he was. I felt closer to him today as I walked the halls of his restaurant. What a beautiful day!
It took me 12 hours but I finally got here! What a day!
I need to give this a lot of thought. I'm beginning to wonder if this trailer is just way too big. It's not that I can't handle a rig this size. Pulling and parking aren't a problem. But I can't be ruining a vehicle by towing this behemoth. I've missed little TOW-Wanda almost from the get go. I bought the big one with the idea it would be parked on the farm and remain fairly stationary. The little trailer was so easy to just up and go somewhere. I am finding myself far less inclined to take off and camp for a weekend when it means hauling this 'house' around. I could sell it and buy two smaller trailers. One for CO and one for WV. That way I wouldn't have to drag it across the country. Or just one that better fits my needs. I don't know…it's just something I'm giving thought to. I swear, at this rate I'm going to own my bike, my kayak, and a duffle bag!
Oh, how I love a road trip! There's always so much to do to prepare though. It was SO hot and muggy yesterday. I had no choice but to empty the back of the truck and take the heavy items into the garage where I am staying. I'll go through it all when I get back. Most of the weight comes from my tools for jewelry making. When I get back from this trip, I should have some time to make some jewelry.
