Trip #78 (9): Denver, Farewell to Sue

May 3 – 7, 2016

Tuesday, May 3
Left Durango, finally starting to warm up after two weekends of snow, going as far as Great Sand Dunes National Park for one night. Got a great spot though it took some jamming to get it in there, it's a smaller, older campground. Took a bike ride all downhill to get to the base of the dunes, that was chilly!! Windy too! A large herd of about 20 deer were crossing the road just as we rode down the hill, the last few hesitating to cross as we and a truck were approaching, but they made it. Bill looked like part of the herd. The two miles back was killer, especially considering we haven't ridden since...?
A nice little seasonal river was flowing alongside the base we had to cross, but the water was surprisingly warm, and the higher sands surprisingly hot. Didn't go far, it was about 4pm when we headed back to camp. Quite the uphill ride back. Into a headwind. Ran our now propane-powered generator as this camp has no electric, I'm sure everyone was thrilled with us. Today is the last open day before reservations start — talk about timing. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday.

Wednesday, May 4
Drove on to Denver, bypassing Alamosa -- and Starbucks (we forgot to pack coffee, ugh) -- and of course he kept going with only a stop for gas and a stop at Sam's for a return, the rest, nonstop. This trip we are "freestylin'" like Frankie and Mike (Am. Pickers), because reservations were unable to be made (need to do it three days in advance), so all we could secure was one night at Cherry Creek, and hope for the cancellation list. After talking to the front desk, Bill wasn't feeling too confident we'd get a spot so we looked into private campgrounds in Englewood, driving over during rush hour — about 45 minutes to go 11 miles in crawling traffic. Between the Flying Saucer and South Park Mobile Home Community, we chose South Park, off Federal. The joke was that it was 55+ but it was a whole lot nicer than the saucer. So tomorrow morning we will move from Cherry Creek. After being on the road all day with the bonus traffic crawl to Englewood, we decided to stay in for dinner, can't bear another drive. Warm day, low 80s.

Thursday, May 5
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

After a short bike ride we made the move of the day for the next two nights at South Park, which turned out to be quite nice. Super quiet except for traffic, not many people around, and lots of signs, and bunnies, robins and crows hopping around in the green space. Plus we knew we wouldn't be around much with the services for Sue. Set up then headed out for some lunch and shopping close by, knowing we would be meeting the family for dinner WAY over in Lowry — another 45 to an hour drive in traffic. oh joy. Good lunch and margarita at Chili's then some shopping. Met the Martin gang and Amy's family at a pizza place in Lowry, loud Latin celebration at Salty Rita's next door as we sat outside. Kids and dogs everywhere, all having fun. Nice day for it. Tomorrow we will meet again. Oh yeah -- our drive back to the camp turned out to be through the Mexican neighborhood so we got caught up in the Cinco Crawl on Federal, the party was on that night!

Friday, May 6
Long, sad day today. Met the family at Fairmount Cemetery for the ceremony of placing of the ashes into the niche (as Bill about the "ditch"). The four or so kids were running around playing at first, not understanding, but I think Sue would have liked that. After that we moved on to the memorial service at Augustana Lutheran Church, and finally to the reception at the Wellshire Inn at 3pm. All planned out by Sue, down to the tulips that were handed out to guests upon their departure. There was a huge turnout both at the church and reception. Sue was a notable force in the Rotary and greatly respected as evidenced by the speakers and attendance. It was a great farewell.

Sue Fox

August 28, 1946 — April 20, 2016

Saturday, May 7
Colorado being what it is, another storm is moving in, was hoping to take some days to see Shelley,  should we stay or should we go... Bill read the word HAIL, so yes we should go. So off we went, on the road by 8:30 and home by 4:30 — including an iffy drive over Wolf Creek Pass... blue skies south of Denver and west to South Fork, but the gray skies and obvious snow over the mountain had me spooked but he is determined so up the pass we went, then the flurries started half way up, then it went from 46 degrees down to 26, and all I can say is thank God the snow wasn't sticking yet and the roads were just wet, not icy, and we made it over safely — AND I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN. I live by the "what if." 7 miles of downhill at 7%, even in second gear you have to brake a lot, especially when being pushed by a 7000 lb trailer... whew.

RIP: Shiprock girl; Trump becomes presumptive candidate