Fort Collins, Colorado

Rainin', Restin' and Ridin'

RAINING

Upon our early morning arrival in town, it rained. And it rained, either hard or light, most of the day. What better thing to do on a rainy day but to shop?

Susan has been wanting to take the van in for an oil change. We found the Dodge dealer, dropped off the van and started walking for the two hours it would take for that to get done.

 

 

...and an REI ;'-)

 

A little drive after picking up the van brought us to Sierra Trading Post outlet store, and then Jax outdoor and sporting goods store, and (of course) to a Fly Shop. Then it was time for me to visit the Tea Shop I came across (;'-)) while Susan continued to walk around Old Town.

All of a sudden it was time for dinner. Susan had (as usual) talked with someone in one of our shop haunts and got the recommendation for Beau Jo's Pizza. It was in Old Town and we were already there so -- there we went.

 

A first for us: We could not imagine putting honey on pizza, but it is actually quite good if not unnecessary calories ;'-).

There was an interesting sink in the restroom.

No bowl

 

RESTING

Our fist morning here was the first time in all of our three and a half weeks that we did not have to get up early for anything -- be it an activity or visiting with family and friends. We loved each and all of those times, but this day we would rest! At least rest for the morning, lazing around to read and relax. We enjoyed that until early afternoon.

Last year, when Bette-Ann and I did the tour in New Mexico, we had stopped in Colorado for a little bike ride. That is when I picked up my first goat head thorns of that trip, so I know those creatures exist here. We confirmed that fact with Eric at the bike repair shop, and had our tires filled with Tire Medic -- a goop that prevents flat tires. I had that done in New Mexico (that time it was Tru Goo) and it works. After taking time to do that we did some more easy exploring around town.

 

Jenny, L and E's surname

 

Bikes in town

 

Old Town street

 

Mews-like alley in Old Town

 

Mews-like alley in Old Town

RIDING

Ahhhh -- finally. Today would be a riding day with some fishing stops (Susan picked up a fishing license at that Fly Shop) along the way.

There are several paved trails nearby and we would find at least one today. We are staying at our friend Lucie's and one of the trails begins just a couple of blocks from here. Lucie lives part time in Lake Stevens,WA, and part time here. She has generously offered her home here in Fort Collins for us to use while she remains in Lake Stevens until winter is in the air. She comes here for all the winter activities she enjoys. We are simply two lucky gals. Thanks is not enough Lucie -- but thanks ;'-).

The Poudre (say Pooder) Trail follows along the Poudre River for a lovely bike day.

No sooner were we on the trail, my back was turned and Susan of course found this...

 

We came upon an interesting "Brooklyn Bridge" site, and lo! Susan pulled out her fishing gear.

 

Bridge was aslurry flume that brought sugar beet residue over the river to the field behind where I was standing. They named it the "Brooklyn Bridge".

 

 

 

There's fish -- right there.

Moving along the trail, Susan would get another opportunity to use her fishing license. There were not many cyclists on the trail today. We had our lunch on a bench by the river as some large ploppy rain drops fell upon us. We quickly finished eating and ran toward the sunnier sky. Soon we were out from under the cloud and no more rain. This is, again, an anomaly for us -- a "passing cloud". The rain at home does not seem to come from "a" cloud. It comes down from a totally dark and cloudy sky. And it is not "passing".

 

Split rail lines some of the trail

 

 

Several bridges to cross, and Susan looks over every one for those fish sightings.

 

 

Getting her line wet once more today

 

Nice bench along the way.

 

At the end of the trail we ventured onto surface streets for a bit before rejoining the trail in a couple of miles. Here we stopped in the small town of...

 

LaPorte again

Well, there was fur trading along this trail and the French had many traders in the business.

This plaque tells of the fur trader that built this building in 1858. Still standing.

 

There was anohter site of a stage coach stop that burned down in 1920. So this was a busy trail.

Off the trail in town, we found a different route back home that took us through some quiet neighborhoods as well as some light traffic streets in town. I ended up with a headache -- which reminded me that we are at 5000 elevation.

No WiFi at Lucie's and no nearby access limits my blogging to every couple of days. So if no posts in a day or two -- stay tuned for something later. ;'-)

 

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Leawood Kansas

These cousins -- Jeffy and husband Mende -- do not live on a lake, they live directly on a golf course in a beautiful home.

 

Jeffy and Mende's house

They welcomed us warmly and we enjoyed dinner with them and one of their daughters, Anna. After the barbecued brisket dinner, prepared by Jeffy, we had a relaxed evening. The next morning would be an early one for our hosts. There was a Kansas City Chiefs football game to attend, and these folks are HUGE fans. Susan and I would be on our own for that day to explore the area, do laundry, watch some of the game on tv and -- in some cases -- nap!

 

By GPS, we found some nice trails to explore

 

Almost hidden behind a tree, but my eye caught him for a photo

The quiet neighborhood roads led us to more trails and lakes, ponds and marshes.

 

 

 

Along the Wilderness Trail

 

An inactive silo in the middle of a town. Shows that this town and development were once farmland

 

The biggest weeping willow tree I think I have ever seen.

Jeffy and Mende returned home from the game in great surprise and relief that their Chiefs, who had been behind in the game until the last minute, had a huge comeback to win their opening game against San Diego!

The Seahawks had their opening game as well, but we couldn't get that one on the home tv. Mende invited to take us to a sports bar in town to watch the second half. As with the Chiefs, the Seahawks had a comeback of their own with 30 seconds left to play -- and won their opener against Miami.

So we we were each and all happy football fans.

We say good bye with promises to keep in touch, and hopes to see each other again.

 

Jeffy and Mende fix us breakfast and we prepare to depart.

 

We say farewell to sweet Walter as well.

 

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Bike ride in Iowa

On our way to visit the next cousin in Kansas, we stopped for a night in Story City, Iowa. I HAD to bag state #27 on my bike, so pulled Susan out in the early morning chill for the ride.

 

Putting on all the layers against the morning chill

 

You would think we were in the ice age, but really only 51 degrees

It wasn't all that easy, but I persuaded Susan to continue on past the first mile where she wanted to turn around and return to the motel. We cycled through a cemetery that is smack dab in the middle of town and found some rather nice trails to wind through.

 

We didn't find out the story behind Story City but it was a nice little town to bike through

Susan cannot usually pass up a garage sale and lo, we ran across one. We (fortunately) didn't find anything to buy, but got to see an actual walking mailman. There are NO mailboxes along the street so the mailman has to walk up to each house to deliver the goods. Like it used to be in most other places.

 

An anomaly, we had to take a photo

 

We biked on a couple of trails as well as on the neighborhood streets

 

Crossed a bridge over muddy waters

 

The muddy waters

 

To reinforce that Iowa is indeed corn country

The elementary school playground has swings, something that has been taken away from our schools in WA due to a history of accidents. And kids do love them.

 

This kid is having fun

 

This kid too...

The Swinging Bridge is a town attraction and if we had had more time, I would have loved to bike that nearby trail.

 

 

The Swinging Bridge

 

 

Have never seen a circle of swings

 

Picnic pavilion will be fantastic when it is complete.

 

Hit a little rough patch on the way out that felt similar to a bog (now that we know what a blog feels like)

After exhausting the town sights and sites, we were back on the driving road and soon needed a stretch break. Just at the right time, an Amish Country store showed up. We wandered through all the goodies and this is where I found some knee socks!! It said "Life is too short to wear matching socks"! When I have the socks and the camera in the same place, I will take and will post a photo.

We had lunch in Cameron, Missouri at Robyn's cafe. Susan had asked a customer at the gas station for a recommendation and was told about good sandwiches at Robyn's. In the next block there was a car show happening so we walked around there before finding the cafe. Recommendation was correct and we enjoyed the local down home feel of Robyn's.

We have made it to Leawood Kansas where we will stay with Cousin Jeffy and her husband Mahendra (Mendy) for a night or maybe two.

Here are my socks. Susan got similar socks but the shorter version.

 

 

Actually "mismatched with care in Vermont". Sold in Iowa!

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