September – On the Road Again

Tom and Leslie Welbourn came out to visit with us in September – always so good to be with them; although we have not been neighbors going on 18 years it never ceases to amaze me that we can just pick up where we left off. And in the short time we managed to pack in some amazing hikes! UTE trail to Milner Pass was a 4-mile downhill trek that started at the top of Trail Ridge (11,200 feet) ending at Milner Pass. Windy, rainy and cold but we all preserved. We also did the most popular hike(s) in Rocky Mountain National Park – Bear Lake and Alberta Falls; we tried to push on to Odessa Lake but it was threatening rain and I think beer was calling the guys. Just a lot of good days, Tom and Leslie, let’s plan something for next year!

Early September we flew to Michigan for wedding in the family, Kyle Fouchey nephew son of Mark and Jen, married Grace a lovely 1^st generation Chinese woman. They had a traditional white wedding, but afterward also incorporated the tradition of tea where gifts are exchanged with the bride and the bride wears traditional red. What was outstanding in the wedding is the man who officiated spoke fluent Mandarin and he would say a few words in English, then say same thing in Mandarin. It was lovely. Then onto the good old fashion wedding where the young folks take over and rest of us go back to hotel for a great family visit. BTW father of the bride did his homework and made a special effort to know the Fouchey Family, when we met he knew are names and family place in the family – except he kept mixing up Dave with Ty, thinking Dave was the oldest. He told Ty he looked so young he could not possibly be the oldest (Dave is the 5^th youngest!). I was impressed that he spent the effort and came over, along with wife Ling Ling, to talk to us.

September 14 came and we bid adieu to the fellow group host. It was bittersweet, but knowing, and God Willing, that we will all return next year was the sweet of the bitter. It was mixed emotions for Ty and I to leave the mountains, yet the itch to travel was gnawing at us. Being camp host was so much fun for us, and I am sure it is the place and the other host that contributed to that fun and the want to return next year (yes we signed up!)

A brief 10 day layover at daughter’s, Amy and Scott, to finish up with the doctors and such. Ty took a beating at the dermatology as he had 2 Mohs surgery for basil cells. Both on his face, soon he will have a Frankenstein look with all the rail tracks on his face. Spent the time wisely getting Wanda ready for travel, packing away our winter clothes (it was cold in mountains at night – average temp was 45 degrees). Left knowing that Amy is finally on the road to health. And last day attending Boulder’s Porch Band play (that is our friend John Hernadez playing bass fiddle)

Amy’s beloved dog, Lacie Lou, has gone to Doggy Heaven, as all good dogs do. She came into Amy’s life as a young pup looking for someone to love and a family. And she got that everyday of her 9 young years. So hard to lose a pet, especially for one so young yet, but she will be remembered for the joy she brought to the family.

Speaking of weddings, September 25, we celebrated 54 years of wedded bliss. Most years have been good with a couple of not so good mixed in just to show us what we are made off. Riley’s cooked a special dinner for us on Thursday which was a nice way to celebrate 8 hours on the road (on the 25^th). We agreed to go for 1 more year and 1 more year after that and 1 more year…..

First stop was Mike and Kay Riley’s – good thing I took all summer getting my liver back in shape because it didn’t take long for me to have to grab the Tumms! Kidding aside, what a lovely relaxing home the Riley’s have on Lake Minnetonka. The weather was incredible allowing us to have 2 great days on the lake motoring around, playing minute golf and a place instead of normal windmill holes had sculptures (last holes was a “lazy river” where ball meanders before dropping out of site) then back to the house for great eats and bonfires in the evening. Ann and Brian Wellen and Mike and Leslie showed up on Friday and Dana/Angie Scott came up on Sunday. Thanks you two for showing us a very good time!

Riley’s took us to this fun miniature golf place where all the holes do not have the traditional windmills and dinosaurs – rather it was all sculptures! Last hole was a labyrinth of water where the ball rolls down the lazy river off to infinity (and beyond).

October will see us on the road all month visiting, praying for all affected by Milton……