October 31, 1999

Happy Halloween! We don’t know if we will have any trick or treaters, so I picked up some small bags of Fritos, chips, etc. I figured if we did not have any munchkins come to the house, we could always carry a bag or two of the chips on hikes, etc. Since we live on a private road in the country and it is totally dark with no street lights and also because there is only one other house on the road, we probably will not have any trick or treaters. But who knows, someone may drive a carload down the road.

Last Saturday Ken and I went to VeloSwap in Denver. This is the largest bicycle swap meet in the United States. What a happening! There were traffic jams and thousands of people, some who had already purchased their tickets, hundreds standing in line to purchase the tickets and thousands milling around the floor where the event was happening. Whether you wanted a part, or shoes, or a full bike, you could get it there. It was unbelievable. We picked up a brand new bike for me and Ken picked up some new bike shoes.

While hiking on Rabbit Mountain last weekend, only 7 miles from our home, we observed a red biplane overhead. The pilot was having fun doing loops, pointing his plane straight up, stalling it and nose diving back toward earth. He did rolls and spins and all sorts of skillful maneuvers. I know it was the “Red Baron” with flowing scarf blowing in the breeze.

Rabbit Mountain is really a beautiful hike. It is only 4 miles, but offers wonderful views of the back range of mountains including Meeker, Longs Peak, the Indian Range, just beautiful scenery.

We discovered a Vietnamese Restaurant, Chez Thuy (pronounced Twee) on 28^th Street in Boulder. They have a menu extensive enough to be a book, the food is delicious and moderately priced. However, the Lotus in Vernon, CT still has the best flan in the world.

Last Monday was the last course of Hatha Yoga which I signed up and paid for. I’m not going to continue with this as some of the positions are quite strenuous on certain muscles and my knees which I injured during the move from Connecticut to Colorado. One position was akin to doing push ups. Another position, the “Dog Position” (with arms and legs fully extended on the floor), now picture yourself on all fours and then with a swift move, you are expected to bring your rear leg up to your front hand. It is something that requires a great deal of flexibility and would take you months to work your body up to a point where you could actually do this without fear of pulling your joints out of their sockets.

Yesterday we tried another new restaurant, the Greenbriar at the beginning of Left Hand Canyon Road. Neat location and lovely setting, décor, excellent personnel and delicious food, but a bit pricey, but not as pricey as the Flagstaff House. We will revisit the Greenbriar on special occasions.

Dave Logan, our good friend from Gerber, visited this week. While he was here we visited Steve, Ande Rice’s husband, who is opening a shop in Boulder near the historic Boulder Theatre just off of Pearl Street. Steve imports African drums, and other instruments. I was interested in one instrument that looked similar to a Xylophone. It was wood carved with gourds under the keyboard to give resonance to the instrument. Steve also had some neat 5 ft giraffe carvings and Masai gourds. The Masai would fill these with a blood concoction and carry this nutritious drink with them on their travels. (Give me my water bottle!) Anyway with all this neat stuff, Steve should do a good business, especially being located in Boulder.

Last Wednesday I attended a “Hoe and Hope” Garden Club meeting. Their program featured forcing bulbs, which I thought would be of interest. However after two hours of business meeting, showing no signs of ending and focus primarily on fund raising for projects and not much talk of gardening, I left. Time would be much better spent working out in one’s garden. The CSU extension office offers much literature with regard to gardening and this is the place to draw on their expertise and knowledge.

Saturday Ken and I hiked to the 3^rd Flatiron in the Chautauqua Park area. Many rock climbers are actively climbing the 1000 foot high Flatirons. Ken is very interested in resuming his technical rock climbing and he wanted to check the scene out. Last Tuesday he visited the Boulder Rock Club where there were a multitude of people literally climbing the walls and ceiling. This is an enormous building recreating cliffs and is a source of learning for technical rock climbing.

Time to sign off.

November 20, 1999

Happy Thanksgiving! Whatever you do or wherever you are I hope you enjoy this wonderful holiday.

Our weather has been incredible – in the 70’s and 80’s. Just recently we have had 30 degree temperatures in the morning, but it warms up to the 60’s during the day. We have had a taste of the winds. Even though they did not reach the 100 to 120 mile an hour velocity residents have been warning us of, it was forceful enough to wake us up.

We had a humidifier installed in our furnace just a couple of days ago and the fellow commented about the wind and that we should get used to it because it does blow. He said the only good thing about it was when it blew hard, the temperature usually stayed about 55 degrees never lower.

The humidifier was installed on Thursday and Friday I met a friend, Paula, and we hiked Hall Ranch a 9.5 mile round trip hike. So when I returned home, I really desired a shower. Turned the water on and had no hot water. So I scrapped the idea of washing my hair and took a very very fast shower. Burrrrr! So I called Climate Masters and they sent out a couple of men to find the problem. The problem was the pilot light had been turned off and never relit when the humidifier was installed. I’m glad it was an easily solved problem.

I have wrapped our small trees with special tree wrapping to protect the bark from the winter sun and one must remember to water in the fall and the winter if you want to save your lawn and shrubs. It is different gardening here as opposed to gardening back east.

Last Saturday I participated in the Turkey Trot 10K. I did a fast walk, but did not run. It was pretty neat especially at the beginning with hundreds of people giving the turkey gobble and anxious to get going.

Ken and I have been enjoying the various open spaces and hiking the many trails. Once you start hiking or biking these trails you find the beauty of the ponds, wildlife, cottonwood trees and a different view of the mountains. The mountains are incredibly beautiful. They make your heart want to sing with happiness. Oh how I do love it so!

Last Wednesday Ken and I attended an orientation session of the CMC, Colorado Mountain Club and joined the group. They emphasize safety, have various workshops on rock climbing, cross country skiing, hiking (learning about the weather, the safety issues involved, what to bring with you while hiking, first aid kit, clothing, water, etc.). Any one weekend there are at least 69 different outdoor mountaineering events going on. With regard to all these events, there is always a group leader who determines the group you would be best suited in. They rate the groups from A to D with D being the most difficult. A hiking group never goes any faster than the slowest hiker, so it is important to pick a group compatible in strength and endurance.

Sunday I will be attending Fiddler on the Roof at the Boulder Dinner Theater. Ken will be returning from a trip and unfortunately will not be able to join me.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Be sure to get you share of the turkey.

Love Diane and Ken