Tabors Repose: September 2013

Fairplay, Colorado 2013

We had scheduled a month-long trip to Montana and other points west based on a fly-fishing package that we bid on at the annual Sowbug Roundup in Mountain Home. However, due to the early arrival of Charlie and Tucker, our precious little twin grandsons, that trip had to be amended. With the blessings of Ben and Myka, we were able to take a break from our weekly trips to Little Rock for twins duty to squeeze in a vacation. We miss Ben, Myka and the twins so much, but are also grateful to be able to enjoy a little time out west - we look forward to the time when we can be joined by them for a little cabin time. This year, it was fortuitous that our great friends Sam and Marsha and Kim and Nancy could join us. Being newly retired, they had the scheduling flexibility to be able to join us and we are excited they are with us. Fishing, sight-seeing, wildlife sightings, great meals, evening trips up one of the mountain passes, laughter and other frivolity - we manage to have a great time when we are together.

Dinner at Rino's in Trinidad, CO

Charlcie fishing at Tomahawk

Tomahawk access on South Platte River

Lone elk on road to Weston Pass

The gang atop Weston Pass

The aspens are starting to turn!

Back at Trout Lily Lane

We finally had an opportunity to apply stain and protectant to the treated lumber on our walkway/porch. We think it turned out well. Also, our landscaping is progressing, although we have a ways to go. We have had many large bucks hanging around our house - the most interesting are seven large bucks with very nice coats and large racks. We sure like living "out".

View from door to garage

Walkway after staining

3 of 7 big bucks hanging around

The clematis is finally blooming

First camping trip in the Casita

We had an opportunity to do a check-out camping trip in our new Casita without having to travel too far to do so. We met Tami and Kevin at a campground on Table Rock Lake, where they have their pontoon boat at the marina. They had just traded for a new trailer and they needed get familiar with it. So we were able to meet for a few days, and they checked out their trailer and were very helpful in tutoring us in the finer points of travel trailer camping - we learned a lot. It was so darned hot and humid, it was really a bonus to be able to get on their pontoon boat and on the lake. Those evening cruises are relaxing and enjoyable. Some of their friends came out and joined us one evening - fun times.

The Casita in full camping mode

Evening cruise on Table Rock lake

Our little Casita

In anticipation of more future camping trips, as well as spending more time in Little Rock to visit our sweet new twin grandsons, we made the plunge and bought a travel trailer. In our traditional mode of small and simple, we opted for the 17' Casita trailer - it's light, easy to tow, easy to back, and it fits us just right! We made the journey down to Rice, TX, to take delivery at the factory. On the way down, we traveled highways in eastern Oklahoma that we had not experienced. We were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the mountains as we moved further south to the Broken Bow area. We had heard that many folks in the Dallas area were buying property in this area to build cabins and be near trout fishing waters, so we did a side trip to see the lake/stream. Instead of camping near Rice after we got our trailer, we decided to head back home since we finished up early and the terrain is not nearly as impressive in this part of Texas. We did find some interesting little dining spots along the ways.