Renewal log #31

Today started off one way and took a detour when documents needed for Charles' BCC application needed to be changed and resubmitted. So, the day was largely given over to computer tasks with a break for lunch at Old Sante Fe Grille!

Renewal log #30

We are having fun!

Books in hand!

Lots of pretty things to see on Pearl Street

Yum!

We had a lovely day in Boulder - lunch at the Eat Well Cafe` (at the Boulder West Senior Center), a visit to the Boulder Bookstore to pick up two books Charles will be reading in the coming weeks for a class he is auditing at CU-Boulder (Tolkien's Nordic Sources and the Lord of the Rings), and people watching/strolling on the Pearl Street pedestrian mall.

Renewal log #29

A beautiful afternoon!

Picture-perfect time at the Dunraven

 A nice afternoon at the Stanley Hotel

Worth the drive by itself!

It was a delightful day for a drive and so we headed to Estes Park for lunch at the    Dunraven, located on Lake Estes. Great view and excellent food made for a drive worth taking. We followed lunch with a look around the historic Stanley Hotel  (which might make for another look in the future). On the way home we stopped at the Colorado Cherry Company, a must-stop for us between Estes Park and Boulder!

Renewal log #28

A busy airport by the golf course

Lunch on Doug's patio

The artist with his work

The last week of Charles' renewal leave is underway and this morning he took advantage of the cooler weather to get in a round of golf at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Westminster. Not a stellar performance, but it was a nice day to be out on the links!!

We continued our time together by enjoying lunch at Doug's Diner. We even took advantage of the nice weather to sit out on the patio, dodging the unexpected rain shower that passed overhead!

Rounding out our afternoon was a stop at the Wesley Foundation @ CU - Boulder where Charles has a painting included in the main gathering area.

Renewal log #27

Charles enjoyed the rare Sunday off, reading the NY Times and enjoying the Zoom feed from St. Paul's UMC worship service and taking in a football match from Watford. The highlight of the day was the nice drive to Westminster this afternoon for a date-day dining experience at Olive Garden.

Renewal log #26

Charles made a return from renewal leave this morning to officiate at the memorial service for a dear man from our church family. Belinda had done a lot of work helping to prepare for this event, much to everyone's appreciation.

Renewal log #25

One batch completed

Another batch ready to go

Watching the morning rain

We enjoyed a restful morning, taking advantage of the overcast, cooler morning to catch up on rest and other household chores.

We also completed one batch of lightswitch/outlet covers and prepped the next batch all of which will be donated to the Fairview H. S. Knight's Closet.

The afternoon was given over to lunch at Old Sante Fe Grille in Louisville and helping prepare for tomorrow's memorial service at the church (Charles is officiating).

Renewal log #24

Today was about recharging the batteries after the marathon of driving, icon writing and touristing! 

We did go to lunch at The Buff, a tradition in the Boulder restaurant community and then made a stop to Guiry's to pick up some gesso for an art project Belinda has in mind for us to complete. And a big accomplishment was working together to get the claim submitted for the trip interruption Charles experienced last weekend.

Renewal log #23

After yesterday's long drive from West Yellowstone, Montana to Laramie, Wyoming, a drive characterized by numerous construction zones and missed turns, it was a relief for Charles to have the relatively shorter drive to Boulder this morning arriving in time for a clergy meeting with some of the area UMC pastors in the area. 

It was a nice homecoming for all as twelve days was a long time to be apart! Lunch at South Walnut Cafe was a nice homecoming and while he wasn't included in that particular activity, Wesley was able to contain his excitement at Charles' return!

Renewal log #22c

A wonderful place to visit

The view from Charles' table

Majestic!

A special water feature in the rotunda

An owl watches over the valley below

Having arrived in Jackson, he decided to treat himself to lunch at Palate (some really good food and a great view!), the restaurant at the National Wildlife Art Museum which is just north of Jackson. Charles had visited this museum several years ago so today was just lunch and seeing the outdoor sculpture works.

The plan initially was to make the the drive from West Yellowstone to Boulder in one go, the drive was instead plagued by lots of traffic and an incredible amount of road contruction! Making it as far as Laramie was as much as Charles could muster so a delay in his homecoming was in order!

Renewal log #22b

Made it out of Yellowstone N.P.!!!

What a view!

The view from the big lodge

The view in the south end of the park

Having arrived at Grand Teton National Park, he enjoyed the lower number of vehicles and people and gradually made his way to Jackson in time for lunch. 

Renewal log #22a

Crossing the Firehole River

At the Grand Prismatic Spring

At the Grand Prismatic Spring

At the Grand Prismatic Spring

Down to the other side  

Charles said goodbye once again to Montana this morning and decided to swing into Yellowstone N.P. and Grand Teton N.P. on his way south. After slogging through a lot of road work on the road leading south from Old Faithful, Charles found himself in Grand Teton N.P. and then arriving at last in Jackson, Wyoming. 

The highlight of the first half of the drive through Yellowstone was visiting the   Grand Prismatic Spring area which had been clogged with visitors on the previous two days in the Park. It was so amazing to see this dramatic scenery!!

Renewal log #21b

At the Artists' Paint Pots

Fountain Geyser

Once more close to the truck!

At the Fountain Paint Pots

Gibbons Falls

After securing the truck from the mechanic, Charles decided to venture into Yellowstone National Park this afternoon to see some of the sights that he didn't get to yesterday due to the rain that was blanketing the area. Today he saw a lot more bison, stretches of pristine rivers, waterfalls, and lots of geysers and other geothermal features in the west side of the park.

Renewal log #21a

Located in the old train depot

Getting around in the old west

Montana centennial railcar at the old depot

Welcome to the Grizzly & Wolf center

Timber Wolf on the move

With the truck being looked at this morning, Charles set about to explore more of what West Yellowstone, Montana has to offer.

First up was the Museum of the Yellowstone is located in the former train depot. Interesting look at the Nez Pierce people, the relationship to the national park, and an account of the 1959 earthquake.

A short stroll later and Charles was in the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. This is a facility that houses wolves, bears, and raptors who can't live in the wild anymore. The  informative offerings and very interesting staff made for an interesting morning.

A nice lunch at the Old Town Cafe` set Charles up for the wonderful news that the truck was back in business!

Renewal log #20: interrupted trip

Enjoying a nice moment at Mud Volcano

Watching a herd of bison at Hayden Valley

The rain descends at Artist Point

Artist Point and the Lower Falls

A bison got THIS close to Charles' truck

What started off as an intended leisurley drive through a couple national parks on a rainy Sunday morning turned into an expensive towing experience after Charles' truck broke down at Old Faithful. Eventually, Charles and his pickup were taken to West Yellowstone, Montana where hopefully repairs (for whatever the issue turns out to be) can be done quickly and he can return to Boulder as soon as possible!

After getting settled into a hastily arranged hotel, a nice meal at the Serenity Bistro was in order and what a nice place it was to recover from a difficult day!

Renewal log #19b

Every night, June - August

Bull riding!

Bronc riding!

After having our icons blessed in the retreat center chapel, we made our way to downtown Cody for a celebration meal at the Trailhead restaurant. The food was delicious and the entertainment, provided the restaurant owner's grandmother was fun! It turned out she was celebrating her 87th birthday and we led the crowd in singing this fun lady happy birthday!!

With the others returning to the center to prepare for Sunday's departure, Charles made his way to the Cody rodeo arena for the Friday session of the Cody Nite Rodeo. Charles didn't stay to the end, the chilly night and the surprise (to him) summer rain contributing to the decision to make an early night. The rodeo was still fun and he even got a steep discount on the admission price for being a veteran!