GOODBYE AND EASTWARD HO

Fri, 5/9. Four weeks and 5,002 miles. Previously, well-known resident contractor Dusty Pierce visited again to review plans for Luis and Mimi's future home. Tim found his match in telling enthusiastic tales of history. They bantered back and forth ending with Dusty recalling a true civil war event in Colorado not found in any printed books.

TimTim and CottonwoodLou have more exploring to do so they grab their map, compass and food supplies and we travel the road again through Durango, CO to NM, and back across the border to CO for the return to Cottonwood Canyon.

Where's our Eric?.. a soil scientist with a background in geology, you would LOVE the flora and fauna, unusual rock formations, and serenity.

The views are breathtaking...could this be a new site for Luis and Mimi's home? Our expedition was a success!


The Animas River runs through downtown Durango, CO, a nationally registered historic district with a feel of the old west (minus the dirt roads). Quaint shops and galleries line the streets. An eclectic shop one should visit is "The World According to Mark."

This is "Mark" and he has quite a collection of beautifully handcrafted wares. We will proudly display at home the stunning adobe/good luck lizard planter. The Durango Steamworks Brewing Co is a popular eatery and our regional menu choices were amazing. Wake up Luis!, it's time to pack (cram) our shopping treasures into the car.

Oh no!, a slight mechanical problem with the car, but Tim has it fixed in record time.

Sat, 5/10. It's 3:00 a.m. and Luis is knocking on our door. We gather our personals and leave Pagosa Springs via 160E to 112 ascending the Rocky Mtns and crossing the Continental Divide. As the sun is coming up, Tim is going down. We pass through Salida, up Ponchas Pass Summit and through more mountains. The time is 6:00 a.m. and it's snowing.

The time is 9:00 a.m. and we made it to Denver Intl Airport Goodbye! Luis and Mimi as they board their plane back to NY. Our time together was so special. We're going to miss you!!

"Eastward Ho" as we open the map and decide to take 76N towards Nebraska. Keenesburg sounds interesting so we stop and peruse a flea market the small town is hosting. NE Colorado landscape is flat, very flat and the windy conditions are throwing tumbleweeds into the road with no warning. We keep driving, and driving and reach Nebraska...landscape the same. The wind is now turbulent, it is raining with some sleet, and we keep driving. We drive the width of Nebraska and the landscape is the same as when we entered. It's been a long day and a record 850+ miles of driving so we find quaint Apple Inn in Nebraska City and retire for the night.