ALAMOSA BOUND

BACK  TO  OUR  COLORADO  ADVENTURES!

On our way to visit my girlfriend in Pagosa Springs 

we spent a few days in Alamosa.

We planned to stop in Alamosa at the quilt shop 

for the 2017 Row by Row experience free pattern and license plate.

This planned stop turned into an unplanned stay of two days!

An hour down the road from the homestead

we started to experience car trouble.

We limped through several small towns looking for

a service station that was open on Saturday.

As we drove into Alamosa we finally found a service station!

  Note the Saturday hours!!

"By Appointment"

Personally I believe this was our divine appointment.

As hubby and "Fred" test drove the car

I walked around the parking lot praying for a diagnosis and

parts/time to fix the diagnosed problem.

My prayers were answered!

The problem was diagnosed as wheel bearings, 

but Fred could not fix the car until Monday.

Technically the shop was closed on Saturday, Sunday is a day of rest, 

so the car would be fixed on Monday.

Fred recommended his buddy's motel for our stay in town.

It was a bare bones kind of place, but it had internet and

breakfast was provided.

After checking in we set about exploring the town

and shopping for food for our stay.

When we left the grocery store 

the skies looked threatening.

Sure enough we got caught in the rain 

before we made it back to our temporary home.

Here are the sights we saw on our after dinner walk

to and from the nearby park.

While we were 'Alamosa Bound'

we spent a lot of time walking trails and walking around town.

Hubby predicted we would walk twenty miles during our stay.

Sunday morning we attended a small church 

a few blocks from our temporary home.

The service was completely different from our home church,

however it was a very enjoyable change of pace.

During the rest of the day we took several walks.

Some of the trails bordered the Rio Grande River.

I had always pictured this river as big and majestic,

but the reality was completely different.

While walking around town we discovered

a healthy restaurant that sourced from local farms.

During our stay we ate at Locavores twice!

This map on the wall pinpointed the sourced farms.

 

Other sights from downtown Alamosa.

 We saw hollyhocks all over town!!

We took one more hike after breakfast on our last morning in town.

Thanks Fred!!

With car repairs completed 

we could continue on our way to Pagosa Springs.

 

Oh, by the way how many miles do you think we walked

during our unplanned stay in Alamosa?? 

Twenty-five miles! 

HURRICANE IRMA SURVIVORS!!

We survived Hurricane Irma!

We are so grateful that there was minimal impact 

of Hurricane Irma to our county and our neighborhood.

Initial reports tracked Irma to impact Florida's east coast.

As time progressed the forecast changed to greater impact for the west coast.

People (myself included) rapidly panicked!

There were long lines at the gas pumps and

grocery stores were limiting case water purchases.

We brought my dad to our house to ride out

the hurricane with us.

Sunday, September 10th, as we walked the neighborhood

we passed this O'Reilly Auto Parts store.  

Hurricane Irma roared through early Monday morning, September 11th!!

 Power went about at 1:30 am.

 Each time I heard a gust of wind 

I prayed for our roof and house to stay intact.

 We stayed abed until daylight and then assessed the damage.

The roof and house were intact and there were branches down everywhere.

Our neighbor's tree suffered some major damage.

My sister in Lakeland had power restored Monday evening.

 Since we had no idea when our power would be restored,

hubby drove my dad and I to my sister's on Tuesday morning.

Before heading to Lakeland we found that Perkins was open, 

so we got to eat a hot breakfast.

The wait was not bad when we arrived, but by the time we left 

people were waiting everywhere because this was one of the few places open.

Being at my sister's was like a vacation!

She was such a gracious hostess.

I enjoyed walking around a new neighborhood and

using the fitness center.

Our power was restored Friday evening and

Dad's power was restored on Saturday morning.

After returning home and walking my own neighborhood

I saw more dramatic impact from Irma.

Surviving Hurricane Irma was quite an interesting experience. 

It is not something I ever want to repeat though.

You certainly learn some things about yourself when you face such trials.

 

SMILEY HORN PEAK

Our first hike of the season was on the mountain peak 

that we can see from our back porch.

I had fondly named the peak "Smiley"

because the snow residue looked like a smiley face.

We found out this particular peak was officially called

Horn Peak and soared 13,450 feet.

 As we drove down our community road

we spotted a black bear near the neighbor's driveway.

Of course I was not quick enough with my camera

before it ran away.

Next time!!

We had to hike part of the Rainbow Trail

to pick up the Horn Peak Trail.

 We crossed Dry Creek.

At least it was an easy crossing,

so no wet feet!

I guess that is why it is called Dry Creek!

Some sights along the trail.

The sap on the trees reminded us of icicles.

Lunch Break!

While I enjoyed a break

hubby wandered further down the trail

leaving me on my own.

I enjoyed the peaceful setting

until I started hearing strange noises.

With the bear sighting earlier in the morning

I started imagining the worst scenarios.

 Thankfully hubby returned unharmed and 

I was also unharmed.

We hiked 7.25 miles in six hours

this included many water and fuel stops 

with a lunch break before we turned back.

It was just another walk in the woods!!