Furnish Family: COLORADO VACATION 2007

Our First Vacation in 22 years Without Kids.

This was sort of a combo of 30th Anniversary and scouting trip.
It has been 2 decades since we didn’t need to lug along suitcases for small children, or remind teen-agers to pack underwear and toothbrushes. This also meant that we only had each other to get irritable and speak sharply to while waiting in long lines at the airport—especially while going through security and wondering why we are practically naked and

yet still beeping in the x-ray machine.

In addition to re-visiting a place where we first became parents and had made some wonderful friends, we are wondering where we should retire in a few years. Our first “test” trip: Durango!

Prior to the journey, my thoughts were on turquoise jewelry,

while Jim’s was on rugged jeep trails & mountain scenery,

proving that opposites do truly attract.

Dulles to Denver Direct

First Stop Aunt Helen and Uncle Duane’s home in ARVADA where cousins Kathleen and Melissa joined us.

Sharing family memories and fellowship
was the only thing better than the lunch.

Next Stop VAIL where we had a wonderful---but brief visit with

Dan and Susan in their beautiful home.

Even prettier than their Keys place!!

We headed for GLENWOOD SPRINGS & a reunion with Gormans!

We haven’t seen each other in 7 years, but who’d know it?

Susan can prepare a feast and challenge my brain at the same time.

John may now be a county commissioner, but he’s still a chef to me. I still salivate at the thought of those Huevos Rancheros.

We hit the road, so to speak, on our way to southwest Colorado

Our first day where the rubber didn’t hit the road…rather it hit the bumpy mountainous terrain. And Jim was in heaven…
Rocky Mountain High!!!

Three of our favorites in DURANGO: Bob + Scattie + Old Tymer’s

Who can ever thank McGraths enough for caring for our souls and
our daughter 22 years ago when she was born with a faulty heart.
And the best chicken fried steak in the U.S.
can still be found at the O.T.!!

Fishing with Doctor Kipp all day was a highlight for Jim—(sorry no picture)

Sherralee in her “Italian” bedroom has not changed a bit in 19 years.
Still a bundle of energy and a precious friend.

A bittersweet hike to our baby Veronica’s grave near one of Jim’s former favorite fishing spots. She would have been 21 this summer.

Somewhere in the San Juan mountains between

Telluride and Silverton (I think)

Wildflowers and more jeeping.

And I did get several turquoise pieces of jewelry…
but regardless of what Jim says, I did not buy out the town.

Good-bye Durango—heading to Middle Park

First Stop: WINTER PARK and nephew Dustin. He sure reminds me of my Dad in looks and work ethic. A treat to be with such a mature young man.

Betty Cranmer---86 and still tending her garden and the souls of those around her. I still consider her a “mother” in the Lord.
(which makes me Susan Gorman’s “sister” twice)!
She still lives 2 houses away from my old solar house in GRANBY.

Who would have thought 30 years ago that Glenna and Dave

would be growing old together building airplanes.

Still living in the mountains near GRAND LAKE?

What a treat to see them.

Over Trail Ridge Road to ESTES PARK and

a rendezvous with some of our oldest friends. Kay and Dan brought their 5th wheel all the way from Wyoming to Colorado to be with us.

Sadly, for Jim, Kay forgot the pie. Yet, she still prepared some wonderful meals for us anyway.

Sightseeing and fellowship. There are friendships that span the years and the miles and never lose their preciousness. (is that a word?)

FORT COLLINS, my hometown.

How it has changed. Size, Atmosphere, but still some of the

best restaurants in northern Colorado.

You don’t believe me???

Why are there so many Wyoming cars crossing the

state line each weekend??

Since she and my mother were such dear friends,

being with Audrey King is a

sweet time for me. In a way it’s like touching my past.

She is the all that is left of the First Christian Church’s all time

great-gum-chewing-bridge-playing-foursome.

Vivian took me to her club where she trains sleek, streamlined women with great builds. They all wondered where she had picked up this chunky middle aged lady. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem embarrassed to introduce her sister.

After all that exercise, I had to go back to where my waitressing career began---Ft. Collin’s famous Charco Broiler.

They still serve salads with corn chex for croutons.

And the steaks are still the best.

Do I have the best looking nephews in the world? Dustin isn’t the only brother with a great smile. Devin also got the Burton mouth (mostly teeth).

However, Abe is the only one with a hammock in the tree. We all checked it out.

Jim & Jamie golfing at the club. Vivian and I shopping at the mall. Eating Mexican food. Visiting the U.S. Forest Office and seeing an old classmate. Driving up and down College Avenue.