Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Royal Gorge - Snow Day

 


Song:  Wicked Game

Artist:  Chris Isaak



My guests wanted to see Royal Gorge...
an attraction less than an hour's drive from home.

Although the day was overcast...
as snow was expected the next day...
and although it was just below freezing...
we still went.


Near the beginning of our journey.


We were halfway there in this photo.


We arrived...
and as the attraction is dog friendly...
we took Bandi with us on the gondola...
and on the walk back over the bridge...
both of which span the canyon.









Our gondola arrived...




...and Bandi enjoyed the views.

I was surprised...
she wasn't afraid of the height.










We disembarked the gondola...
and began our walk to the bridge for our return trip.













Actually...
as there was no sun to speak of...
depth was hard to appreciate...
as there were no shadows...
which would have shown the canyon side's relief.

It was also breezy...
and cold.

And so...
it was just okay.

We then went into the nearby town of Canon to try a Thai restaurant
before heading back home.

It wasn't good at all...
and so...
once we arrived home...
I just went to sleep early.


------------------------------

Early the following morning...
one of my guests woke up and found that it had been snowing in the night...
and as this was the first time she had seen snow here...
she took some photos around the inside and outside of the house.

I only realized she had awakened when I heard her footsteps in the snow
just outside of my window.

She had put on my snow boots...
and was taking photos from the 2nd floor deck.

I met her in the kitchen when I began making breakfast.

She said she loved the diffused light of the sun through the snow clouds.














I took Bandi out for her morning bathroom routine.




After a short while...
I returned with Bandi.






After breakfast...
I went up to the loft to upload my photos to my computer...
and begin this blog article.

My guest then began taking photos from the loft and from the 3rd floor deck.





She took this one last photo from the deck.

We are planning on going back to the casino tonight...
but maybe not...
as I will have to see if the roads get plowed.

If not...
I won't chance a drive into the nearest town on unplowed roads.

Tomorrow is supposed to be blue skies...
and so...
we are planning on going up to Pikes Peak for some photo opportunities.

Also...
later this week...
my guests and I will go on a little neighborhood walk...
weather permitting.

They will walk Bandi and I will be riding my trike.

My guests are surprised at how warm and comfortable the house is...
and they are enjoying their trip.

We are planning on going to a few more places before they leave...
and to many more restaurants...
some of which will be Brazilian, Indian/Tibetan, Jewish...
and other restaurants.

 


Saturday, January 4, 2025

A Sunrise And A Wild Horse Cafe Breakfast

 


Song:  Theme From Mahogany

Artist:  Dianna Ross



This morning...
I had awakened before sunrise.

As my guests were tired...
I just had them sleep in.

As the sun started rising as I was watching from the dining room
 while drinking a morning cup of coffee...
I saw some colors emerging.

As the front of my house faces the sunrise...
I have a clear shot at it every morning...
from each of the three floors and their decks.

I then walked outside to the front 2nd deck and took these sunrise shots.

It was a nice mellow sunrise...
and so...
I had only spent five or so minutes outside.








After sunrise...
I went down to my exercise room and did a light workout...
took a hot shower...
and as my guests don't normally eat breakfast...
 I then drove to the Wild Horses Cafe for a quick breakfast for myself (a little after 8 AM).


----------------


After I left for the mountain cafe...
one of my guests got up to make coffee...
and then took this morning shot from the great room.

----------------


I love the view from the cafe seating.


I had a loaded breakfast burrito...
a chicken salad sandwich...
and a large White Christmas Hot Cocoa.


After eating...
I just sat and continued sipping my hot cocoa as I admired the view.

(as Bandi was waiting for me in the car...
I took her half of my breakfast burrito...
which she quickly devoured).


I then drove back home as I listened to my music list...
with the rear car windows open for Bandi to enjoy.




I was about a mile from my mountain turnoff here.

Just driving through the countryside is so relaxing.


Later today...
I will be taking my guests to a Chinese restaurant.

And...
tomorrow...
I will take them to a casino in the nearby town.

On Monday...
I will take them to Royal Gorge for some sight seeing.

I had them plan out their itinerary of all the places they wished to see...
and of all the restaurants at which they wished to eat.


We will be driving to many places for the next...almost two weeks.

As Tuesday is supposed to snow some...
we will stay in...
but on the following day...
we will drive up Pikes Peak and take photos from over 14,000 ft.



A Mountain Top Sunset Singing Session

  Song:  I'll Never Fall In Love Again Artist:  Tom Jones I was looking at YouTube in bed when this song had come up on my feed. Tom Jon...