Lordy, Lordy...

It was truly a grand time with Chris and his motley crew (;    Cecilla is a gem! We did  lots of chatting, some stops around wine country (which of course included  tasting of the local vineyards and yummy fruit shops) and just hanging out in the big house. Plus, getting a tour of their land---the cars, trucks, the Harley, wildlife and their 'little house'  on the blocks....WOW! 

Golden!

After leaving my favorite Santa Cruz family, I had a quick trip to windy, foggy San Fran. (I didn't realize that their Pride Parade was going on--or you could have seen me there enjoying the craziness!) Instead I did a stop at the Golden gate--since the last time I walked it was on my sweet 16th! Then I head to the 'big' house of Chris, Cecilia, James, Nelsa, and John! We're enjoying a day indoors -away from the heat. (When I arrived the temp read 110!) Of course, we cooled off with some refreshing white---hey, I AM in Napa county! (;

life's a beach...

...in Santa Cruz!

Hangin' with the Clancys

After driving twelve hours--through Utah, Arizona, Nevada...I did stop and hit a dollar slot--no luck...I reached Cindy's and we haven't stopped yet! Last night (Friday) while my softball teammates were celebrating our championship win in Chicago, I was at a fun party in Santa Cruz--with belly dancers, to boot!

Utah ROCKS!

Haven't had too much time to write since last week, busy explorer Zion's treasures! Amazing hikin' and even the drive was breath taking! (But really how many pictures can I take of rocks!??)

Unexpected treasures!

I had breakfast-then lunch-with Cindy Robbin Carlander--after I think 8 years---while in Colorado Springs. I had no idea she was here, so it was GREAT to catch up with her...and her twins Gracie and Ben. Both are toooo cute. And I have an extra special place in my heart for Miss Gracie since she asked Cindy after I left if I was a grown up or a teenager! The sweet girl thought I was in high school---gotta love that!!
After sadly leaving my new CO 'home' (Trish and Mike--I love you tons!) I'm now in a little gem of a town Howard, CO with my newest friend-Cathy, which my wonderful cuz Karen hooked me up with. Her place is amazing---360 degrees of true natural beauty! Since I've arrived, I've climbed Turkey Rock, experienced FIBark (check out the website), jammed to LesZeplin, seen the kayak races while about 20 mountain goats climbed the rocks above us, and hiked a little trail. Now I'm sitting in a little joint near the river drinking a $2.50 yummmmmy beer! (As one vendor's sing sadi "Allergic to Cities"...hmmmmmm) Lovin my adventure!

What a day!

Yoga on the top balcony , breakfast with tasty coffee, an incredible hike straight up "The Incline" with Trish, Mike, & Taz , a glorious 'stroll down on the Barr Trail (the perfect, Colorado workout--who needs an indoor gym?) , an Euro lunch which included beet soup (yum), home for a shower, then a nice cold beer in the tub, a healthy salad on the porch on a lovely evening, a few coyotes in the the big backyard...

on top of the world!

After a wonderful yoga practice on the porch facing Pikes Peak, Mike, Taz, and I went on an incredible hike up one of the trails at the Air Force Academy. At times not only did the altitude take away my breathe (specially when we got off the trail a bit), but so did the spectacular breath-taking views. Plus, Mike is such a wonderful wealth of knowledge and so interesting. It's a delight to hear his worldly stories...since he truly is a world traveler. Trish and I both agree that our country...and world...would be a better, brighter place to live if HE was our vice president! (;

Good morning, Colorado!

This is the view of Pike's Peak that I woke up to this morning (6:40 AM) from my own lovely princess suite at my cousin Mike and Trish's beautiful 'double wide' (which is what Trish jokingly calls their incredible lovely 5000ft. home sweeet home in the mountains) Oh, plus, their backyard is hiking trails and a buffet for all who stop through. 

the totem: ERIN

created by MT and me!

This isn't Dorothy's Kansas...

Well, I took off to my "mini adventure to cousin stop #2" in Colorado, but not before stopping in Mullinville , Kansas on my way. Karen and Bob told me I should go by some crazy, fun art work that lines the road of a little hick town in the the middle of Kansas. Which I did, but I think I landed in Oz...this little drive by ended up to be an amazing, mind blowing 24 hour  journey through Mr. M.T. Liggett's iron fantasy world. Instead of passing through, I helped this artist genius create his newest totem--- titled, 'Erin'. Yes, now I'm one of the wacky iron pieces that waves to passer-bys. M.T. (the 78 year young at heart creator of these items) swears that this was a first for him. He has people from all over the place stop every day to ask about his work, but I was 'the one' who inspired him to stop and make a statue in one day. It was a bit surreal...

boating!

On the Hot Springs....with Karen, Domingo, KT, Leen, Stone, my mom and our sweet tour guide Amy. (That's a few from her place)

WELCOME to stop #1 ARKANSAS

Well, my first stop is at my cousin Karen's place 12 miles from Hot Springs, AK. It's truly AMAZING! Part incredibly beautiful art museum (that's Sally welcoming us with open arms!), a bit of Caribbean spa --witha swim up, eat in the pool bar, to boot!, animal rescue (5 adorable pooches, two stunning throughbreds, 4 sweet little calves and a few furry kitties roaming around the breath taking country ), ! We've been swimming and boating on Lake Hamilton, after taking morning hikes ...just going up and down their drive way is a workout!...then some yoga next pool before jumping in to cool off! At night, the firefly show starts about 8:45. Sweeeet....