Colorado and AFA Graduation

Dylan on his new bike

Dylan and Jackson

Collin and Dylan

Enjoying a day  in RMNP with Chrissie and Allison

A walk near Red Rocks with Cash and Jonathan

A view of  Red Rocks Park

A quarry before it became a hiking area

President Obama on the big screen

White hats ready to fly

In the air

Thunder Birds --They put on an amazing show

Sarah and her proud 4th grade teacher

Sarah and her brother Luke-both students of mine and both graduated from the AFA

My trip to Colorado and Wyoming in May started out with Katherine picking me up at DIA. I left sunny Portland and arrived to a cloudy and cool Denver.  After getting the rental car in Greeley I arrived in Eaton and the first of many great meals at the Morehead house.

I spent a few days with Collin, Denise, and Dylan and enjoyed a trip to Denver to visit the Butterfly Pavilion. Denise had a family emergency and had to fly to CA so our visit was cut short. I did, however, get to spend some time with Dylan which included a nice walk to a nearby playground. He is a cutie!

During my time in Eaton I walked a couple of mornings with Julie and caught up on all the news. I also visited former neighbors and checked out the old 'homestead' and all the changes that have been made. I even made it to one of Chrissie's yoga classes.

Katherine and I visited the newly opened Colorado History Museum in Denver and then went to see the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with a theater filled with people over 65. We loved it--great old English actors and a very predictable plot. We also enjoyed a few nice lunches out and many good conversations.

Chrissie, her daughter Allison, and her sister-in-law (who was visiting from England) spent a day with me in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Shopping, a Thai lunch, ice cream and some great views filled the day.

I also spent a great day with Amy and David talking about old times, grandchildren and life in general. We ended the day by going out for Italian food.

I drove to Colorado Springs to spend a few days with Jonathan and Laurie before the AFA graduation. Good friends, good food, good conversation--what more could one ask for in life?

The graduation was amazing. I loved every minute of it. The cadets marching in, Obama's speech, the beautiful blue sky, and especially the Thunderbird show at the end--just awesome. And, as a former teacher, when a student tells you that you were her favorite teacher, that is something very special. At a reception in the evening Sarah told me what she remembered about 4th grade--first thing she mentioned was the class hamster. There were other memories too but that hamster was the best.

I drove to DIA to drop off the rental car and with my trusty Kindle the time until I touched down in Portland went quickly. It was good to see Megan, Avery, Damian, and Barkley--- and it was good to be home.