Trip to God's Country

Last week we embarked on an 8 day road trip to Colorado.  We spent the first night in Raton, New Mexico then continued on the next day to Colorado Springs, Colorado.   On the way we stopped in to see Bishop's Castle to check on the progress since the last visit a number of years ago.  There were a lot of changes.  The castle has been build by one man (one crazy man - Google it - very interesting).  We also stopped to see the bridge over Royal Gorge.  We spent 2 nights in Colorado Springs to ease us into the altitude we would encounter in Breckenridge for the remainder of the week.  We had been to Colorado Springs before so we only repeated  a few sightseeing places.  We debated about taking the cog railway to the top of Pike's Peak but better judgement prevailed.  We had driven it once (well, I only made to partway to the top stopping at the visitor center).  After that I don't know why I even had the fleeting thought that I would be able to take the train.  Just call me "chicken".  We did go back to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. 

We left Colorado Springs for a 2-1/2 hour drive to Breckenridge.  Imagine our surprise when we spotted snow still on the mountantops!  We arrived at our destination for 4 nights - Marriott Mountain Lodge - using our vacation club points.  As usual we were completely satisfied with the accommodations.  We had a living room with a sofa and an extra bed, a king size bedroom, full kitchen, dining area and 2 bathrooms.  Below are pictures of part of it.  The grounds were beautiful, including a lake and views of the ski runs.  It rained the first day on and off but we were rewarded in the morning with the brightest rainbow I have ever seen!

We packed and wore winter clothes on more than on occasion.  Quite a change from our Texas summer.  The altitude was hard to get used to and we each had one bad day.  But it didn't stop us from getting around.  Here are a few pictures of the town of Breckenridge. 

The one place I really wanted to see was the Red Rock Amphitheater in Marrison, Colorado.  It didn't dissappoint!  The pictures tell the story!

On the way back we made a short side trip through Vail.  It's definately on our radar for a future trip.  It looks a lot like a European village. 

We had a great trip but it is always good to get back home.  I guess we will stay put until our cruise early next year.  Unless we get a bug for a last-minute trip in the fall. 

Aruba - One Happy Island

On Monday, June 20 we flew to our timeshare in Aruba for a week in Paradise.  On Tuesday, Jennifer, James and Lacie joined us for the week.  But not without incident.  That morning Dallas had torrential rains which caused them to have a horrible drive to the airport then a two hour delay on the ground.  Luckily they had a long layover in Charlotte and were still able to make their connection.  We planned this trip a year ago and they were desperate to get there.  Jennifer's best friend and her 2 kids stayed with the triplets and Daphne.  They did great and yes, she is still her best friend!

Our timeshare is wonderful!  We bought it through Marriott Vacation Club 5 years ago -this is the second time we have been there.   We have the ability to use it or trade it for a choice of 2500 other places worldwide (not all Marriott).  We love the flexibility but always look forward to getting back to Aruba.  Our villa is 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, a full size kitchen and laundry.  Here is the view from our room.  The lazy river pool is the best part.

The first day Lacie really wanted to find shells.  The northwestern side of the island is the start of the wild side of the island where she had great success in shelling. 

No day is complete without a swim in the lazy river.  There are iguanas and lizzards everywhere!  They don't hurt you and rarely dive into the pool (but we have seen them do that).  After a few days Lacie was brave enough to feed them flowers right out of her hand.

The nightly entertainment is the sunset.  Some days are better than others but always fun to watch. Although my favorite nightime entertainment is the casino at the Marriott hotel.  We got there twice and the second night Rich won $200 in a quarter slot and I won $40.  We actually came home with more money than I took to lose.  Not always the case!  My system is to decide how much I am willing to lose, divide that up into one sealed envelope for every day and when that envelope's money is gone we leave.  Works well.  I just want to have a few hours of entertainment without losing it all as soon as I walk through the door.  Penny slots are good for that!

Thursdays was hair braiding at the pool.  She still has them.



Friday we did the drive of the northern side of the island.  It is nothing but dirt roads through the desert and very people - mainly Jeep tours.  The water is very rough with no beach, just rocky cliffs.  We drive there every time we are in Aruba.  Part way through on top of a hill is a small church.  This time we got there just as the school tours arrived.  There is also an abandoned gold mine.  Of course Jenn and Lacie had to find the wild donkey and fed it an apple.

We ended up at Baby Beach, a really good snorkeling spot.  The others went snorkeling 3 or 4 times but I had to pass on the spots where it was too hard for these old knees to get to the water.  We have one underwater camera and one camera mask and they got some good pictures.  Here are a few prior to Rich color-correcting them.

Saturday we ventured to downtown Oranjestad.  There are great outdoor local vendor stalls on one side of the road and fancy expensive shops on the other.  I prefer the locals!  We ate lunch upstairs at Iguana Joe's, something else we do every time we are there. 

From there we drove to the northern end of the island again, this time going through the national park.  We were pleasantly surprised this year to find a paved road - big improvement!  There is a reastaurant, a gift shop and most important a restroom right in the middle of the desert.  Past that are some caves (I don't do caves!) and the sea.  A small windmill farm is also a new addition.  Since there are constant gale force winds on the whole island at all times I can't believe they haven't thought of that before this.

Lacie looks like she in an angel in the spotlight but it is a natural skylight in the cave.

Here are some assorted pictures in no particular order. 

The last night we ate at our favorite restaurant on the beach.  It was a great way to top off a wonder vacation. 

Tuesday we all left for the airport.  We made a stop at the butterfly farm on the way.

Of course no vacation is complete without travelling problems and this one was no different.  We came home on American originally scheduled to leave at 2:00.  Never left until after 3.  That left us 20 minutes to make our connection in Miami.  Luckily that plane had lavatory problems and were just boarding when we got to the gate.  We got home fine.  Jenn and family were supposed to leave on US Airways at 4:45.  That flight was delayed until 7:00 but no one was notified until after all other flights to the states had already left!  Of course they would not make their connection in Charlotte but they were promised a hotel voucher when they arrived.  That never happened and they had to spend the night in the airport - with a nine year old!  Luckily she was able to sleep.  They got on the flight at 7:00 am and finally made it home.  Boy were their other kids glad to see them!!

Retirement is great!  If we are not on a trip we are planning one.  Next stop - a road trip to Breckenridge Colorado later this year.  A cruise to the Bahamas next year then a return to trip to Aruba with good friends next spring are also scheduled.  That still leaves us lots of other options of timeshare time and/or points to have more trips next year.   Bon Voyage!!