Trip to Colorado 2011 - Monday August 1

Monday

8-1-11

Got on the road this morning at about 8:00 a.m. Stopped at a gas station in Casey, IA around 9:20 and picked up some Diet Coke. As we were about to enter the gas station a little old man who must have been in his 80's shuffled out and said good morning. He had on a plaid shirt, khaki pants and a baseball cap. I've seen this look on guys this age as we've traveled through Nebraska and Iowa. You won't find this look on men too much younger than this fellow. I find it to be rather endearing.

After a few other stops including lunch, our final break was at the Straight River rest area in Minnesota. We made it home around 3 p.m. It was a fabulous vacation but, as always, it was sure wonderful to be home.

The top photo was taken in Casey, Iowa. The bottom photo shows our final stop before reaching home.

Trip to Colorado 2011 - Sunday July 31

Sunday

7-31-11

Woke up at 7:00 this morning and Dale and I were on the road by 8. After saying our goodbyes we stopped at Starbucks for coffee. We drove until we hit Fort Morgan, Colorado and then stopped for breakfast at McDonald's.

Went east on I-76. The landscape to the south of the highway was gently rolling hills which looked very grassy with no trees. I remember back in 1986 when Mom, Dad, Sam, Pete and I were driving back from Las Vegas after visiting my Aunt Linda and her daughters. We were covering this same stretch of highway only it was night time and the moon was full. This same landscape looked absolutely lunar at night. I was listening to a song by U2 which added to the whole moody atmosphere.

Dale said that I-76 used to be I-80S but that during the Bicentennial there was a push to rename it 76 in honor of 1776-1976 for the nation and 1876-1976 for Colorado's centennial.

Backup on I-80 near exit 366 so we decided to get off the highway there. Drove north and picked up US-34 going east. We drove through the charming town of Seward, Nebraska where I got a few photos. Decided to stay on 34 until Lincoln, Nebraska. Pushed a little further through Omaha and decided to stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dinner at Olive Garden.

Top photo is a grain elevator in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Bottom picture is a county building in Seward, Nebraska.

Trip to Colorado 2011 - Saturday July 30 Photos

The following photos are some old familiar Denver haunts of Brenda, Irv, Dale and Dianne. The bottom photo shows Alamo Placito which is near the park Brenda and Irv met.

Trip to Colorado 2011 - Saturday July 30

Saturday

7-30-11

John went to the golf course this morning and picked up breakfast burritos for all of us. We ate them with green chili that John and Dianne had on hand.

Brenda, Dale and I drove into Denver and saw some places they used to live.

We videotapped Irv tonight. He told lots of stories about his childhood, his young adult life in high school and then in the service, and the early days of his marriage to Brenda. He was very funny and his stories often touching.

In the above photo you can see downtown Denver in the distance if you squint. The photo was taken from a park across the street from John and Dianne's.