Silverton, CO and Further West

The majestic beauty between Silverton and Ouray had steep mountains, blue skies, and winding narrow roads that were scary to me.

 

We stopped in Delta and met Paul’s niece, Paula & Jerrel and family at Rocky Mountain Pantry. She had coffee and doughnuts ready for us. It was a refreshing break.

We drove from Grand Junction, CO  to Arches National Park down along the Colorado River. The rusty red bluffs were beautiful with unique rock formations.

You can see how big this arch is by the size of the people under the arch.

There were over 300 arches in the park.

Claire Bleu set up an outdoor studio and did some plein air painting while we drove through the park.

Just look at how her painting looks like the scene behind her.

We stopped at this little quilting shop just south of the park in Moab.

Driving on south we came upon Hole in the Rock, and Claire Bleu hollered out that we need to stop there and take a tour of Albert and Gladys Christenson’s house in the rock. He dynamited out the rock to form rooms and living quarters for them. He also worked as a miner, sculpturer, and painter. Gladys was like Mother and was very artistic, creative, and made do with what was available.

There were lots of old memorabilia and souvenirs around for tourists.

This road grader looks like it was horse drawn. Maybe it could smooth out Davis Rd. for us.

Polly, Claire, and Mother take a rest in the shade.

Mr. Albert carved the face of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt in the rock of his home.

This Jeep was sitting in front of the Souvenir Shop. It is made from farm tools, metal scraps, and license plates.

Emily

Monument Valley

Claire Bleu was in her glory snapping 100s of pictures in Monument Valley. If anyone wants to stop, they holler and, bless Jim's heart, he steps on the brakes and pulls to the side of the road for a photo shoot that lasts anywhere from 1/2 a minute to 1/2 hour.

Durango to Silverton

Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell

Our travels today started out with troubles. When we went to leave our motel, there were funny noises under the hood. The serpentine belt had shredded. Glen and Jim put on a new one. Thankfully we weren’t out in the middle of nowhere with 100^ heat. We could wait in our room until repairs were done.

 

Then it was on to Carlsbad, NM where we went through the magnificent caverns.

 

Mother got along very well with her cane and walker.  We walked over a mile at her pace …

… to enjoy the beautiful formations.

Driving north through the town of Roswell we saw lots of space ships, green martians and …

 

… aliens, the town’s mascot.

When it took longer than expected for me to snap these pictures, everyone speculated what might have happened to me. Maybe I was whisk up into the outer spaceship, maybe they did a brain transplant on me, maybe … and then the martians didn’t think I was fit so they spewed me back down to earth. When I got back on the bus the ladies were all chirping and twirping like martians.

Traveling West

 Life …

We traveled to Texas to my sister Emily & Perry’s place.

Their son Adam and his girlfriend Megan helped to host us for the night.

The pool was a welcome and relaxing spot for June. Most of us sat along the edge and “cooled” our feet in the hot tub.

At College Station, TX we had a tour of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

In 1948 George drove his red two-door Studebaker, a graduation present from his parents, from the East Coast to West Texas.”

Acting president Barnhart.

These gifts were given to the president but since they were worth more than $300.00 they couldn’t keep them.

I guess they really belong to us, the American people.

This tapestry really caught my eye. You know it would have taken a lot of hours to make it.

 At The Alamo in San Antonio we learned some of the history of Texas.

Emily and Polly are standing by the fort wall.

This live oak tree was in the courtyard and I thought would make a lovely tree for the grandchildren to climb.

Then we traveled to Fredericksburg to …

… the Insight Gallery to view an exhibit of Oil Painters of America. Claire Bleu, my niece painter/artist was in her glory!

I really liked this painting of the old car.

While Claire spent more time at the gallery, we walked and toured the streets of Fredricksburg.

Mother, Coleen and I posed outside of a candy store as lollipops.

 

Texas – Longhorns – Lone Star – Cowboys

… as a Quilter

This piece of art was a gift to George and Barbara Bush. Isn’t it great inspiration for a quilt?

Coleen finished the feather stitching on her velvet doll comforter that Mother pieced.

Farming, Traveling West, and Emily’s Cow

Life …

Since it rained and the weather turned warm we went to the field to “hear” the corn grow.

Paul showed us how to strip the leaves down and dig inside the stalk to check the ears.

Just a tiny little cob, only 1/2” long.

And Gabriel claimed it had 18 rows of corn!

Gabriel in his hog barn outfit ready to do the chores.

We had our family in for pizza to visit with my family who came to pick me up for our trip West. The four oldest grands enjoyed their cake and ice cream while I sipped my decaf. coffee.

I had lots of help in the kitchen cleaning up after our pizza supper.

And then the house buzzed with talking and laughter until past bedtime.

Sunrise on The Spirit of St. Oren.  See my sister Polly's update here.

There are 8 of us traveling today. Ashton was sad to see me leave so he and Paul joined our group for a picture.

Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye.  Safe travels for us and I wish you all well at home.

…as a Quilter

Remember the small art quilt that Emily started here? Well, here she is working on it.

She cut out her silhouette and fused it to the background then sewed around the edges.

I’m guessing the size to be 16”X 12” and made mostly from cottons.

Detail