Tomorrow I head home from Part 1 of The Grand Adventure. I have had a fabulous time on this trip and have truly enjoyed my visit here with Sue. She lives on 10 acres overlooking Mesa Verde. We got up this morning and practiced yoga on the southern patio. Then we walked around the property and she showed me places where pottery sherds from the Anasazi just lie out on the open ground. Amazing! There is also a beautiful canyon on the back of the property. Yesterday we went early to Silverton and watched the end of a bike race, visited with friends, and then drove to Ouray for lunch. Afterwards, we drove to Ridgeway and soaked at the Orvis Hot Springs (clothing optional…scandalous!!!) We got home in time to see the beautiful moonrise over the La Plata Mountains, had a fire and made S’Mores. The day before was a day of trekking around Durango and out to dinner with friends. Lots of photos I will be posting. I go home tomorrow and regroup for the trip Thursday to Denver and on to my first Sisters on the Fly event!

You know you are having a grand vacation when you have no idea what day it is! Well, either that or I’m getting that “Old Timer’s Disease”! I’ve taken some great pictures but have not been anywhere near wi-fi to post them. I arrived in Durango yesterday, did a little retail therapy, met up with my good friend, Sue Hakanson and went out for dinner. Stayed up late catching up. I browsed more stores today and went to the park and made some more jewelry and garden markers. I love my portable studio! Meeting Sue again tonight and taking the trailer to Dolores. The 4 day weekend is jam packed with fun events…pedicures, dining, Ouray, Orvis Hot Springs, Silverton for the Iron Horse bike race…..just fun, fun, fun! Will be heading home for a couple of days on either Monday or Tuesday then off to the Front Range for a Rockies game and my first Sisters on the Fly event! I’ll post pics later!

Here’s a view of the Collegiate Peaks without the trailer in the way. Isn’t this stunning? This was taken Day 6 of the Grand Adventure, Part 1.

Days 6 & 7 of the Grand Adventure, Part One:

I got a good early start yesterday and drove to Salida. Stopped at Mr. Virgo’s and my favorite breakfast place on that stretch of road. We used to stop there all the time when we lived in Pagosa Springs. What a gorgeous, sunny, blue-blaster day! I stopped and took this photo of TOW-Wanda parked at the scenic overlook near Buena Vista. Those are the Collegiate Peaks behind her.

Internet is spotty so I am posting by phone. Yesterday was a fun day with Daughter #2…shopping, lunch, dropped off the computer with the Geek Squad at Best Buy and bought a new photo printer/scanner. Today, I am waiting for the yoga studio to open for 8:00 meditation. Maybe #2 will be up when that’s over. Then we can do a yoga class. I am spending the rest of the day with my creations! Even though I miss Mr. Virgo terribly, this is the first time in my life I have been free. It’s an extraordinary feeling.

The snow is melting in the high country and I am off on an adventure…The Grand Adventure, to be exact. I tried reading self-help grief books and they just did not speak to me so I am going to go out and grieve in my own way…one campfire at a time! My first stop has been in Denver to visit with my family and get my camper stocked up for my trip. My mail is being held. My neighbor’s are keeping an eye out on the house. My only responsibility it to me…to listen to my heart and follow where it leads. TOW-Wanda!

Here she is… “TOW-Wanda!” on her maiden voyage! I got home from church yesterday and was faced with a ton of paperwork and sunny skies. So? What’s a girl to do? Why…go camping, of course! This is at Rifle Gap Reservoir State Park, about 20 miles from home. I figured my first trip or two should be local till I get the hang of things. What a hoot! It was pretty nippy so the furnace kicked on several times during the night. I had the fridge turned down too low and woke up to frozen OJ this morning. Also, I want to add some padding to the lower bunk bed because it was a bit too firm for my taste. Other than that, a perfect first-time experience!

When I last posted here, my world was still in one piece. It was a Friday. There was a blizzard. I worked in the office that week instead of getting anything done in the studio. I went out the day before and bought an Expedition so Mr. Virgo and I could travel in comfort and enjoy life instead of waiting till retirement. He texted me that morning to tell me he loved me and to see what I was up to. At about 2 in the afternoon, he called to see what was for supper. As he always did, he called me at 5:30-6:00 to tell me he was just leaving the parking garage. We talked till he got halfway home then I scooted into the kitchen and got the food going. I sat back down in the living room and called him back, just to hear his voice. I told him to let me know when he got to the bridge and I would get back in the kitchen to put the finishing touches on his favorite dish. Then, back to my perch in the living room to watch for his headlights. When I saw him turn into the driveway, I jumped up, flung open the door, waited till he was out of the car so he could hear me, and yelled “BABY!”. He turned to me and smiled and said, “Hey, honey!” I told him, “Get yer butt in here!” and he said, “I’m a tryin’.” He came in the door, tired, but grinning from ear to ear and said, “Mmmmm, that smells great, babe!” and I pretended to blush and said “Come on, let’s get your coat off so I can give you a big hug!” Every night, same thing. Never, EVER got tired of that man’s homecoming. It was an EVENT!

Today would have been our 6th Wedding Anniversary. I am saddened by my own loss and empathize the pain others are feeling for their losses. Now, I get to make a choice. I can lay here in this bed and cry all day, or I can reach out to those who were with us that beautiful spring day and celebrate the gifts we were given! Ok, maybe just 5 more minutes, then I’ll get up.