OUR TRIP HOME TO COLORADO (AND WHY I AM LATE)

Winter arrived early in the East this year -and with a bang.  We awakened the morning before we left
 to the first snow of the season.  Here on our island snow is not a common occurrence like it in Colorado.

The entrance to the beach was whiter than usual with snow covering the sand.

It was nice walking back to our home at dusk and seeing lights burning.

Leaving the next morning it was a treat for me to see snow on the pine forests, something I had not

seen since childhood.

We drove through some bad weather going west, Chuck in his truck, and me following in my Tahoe, but we were also treated to some beautiful sunsets.  The blue sky in this field was reflected in the snow.

As we left Colorado Springs and drove along the Arkansas River on a beautiful sunny day,

We stopped to admire the thick ice flows that had formed in the water.

I was thinking what an easy ride we were going to have over the Rocky mountain pass this time, but that I was very tired and should call Chuck to tell him I had to stop!  And I fell asleep!!  I didn't make the turn that the road did, but traveled 300 yards down a hill and along a muddy raving before I side swiped a tree and was thrown into a utility pole on the other side of my car. 

Miraculously I wasn't really hurt, and with the help of a nice gentleman who was following me and saw it happen, got out of my car and climbed the hill.  When one of the men retrieved my camera from my "totaled car" I took their picture.  How could I have better help than this.

My car, as you can see fared much worse than I did, but it protected me from a much worse fate.

It has just been replaced with a different, and smaller vehicle for the future.  It will hopefully never have to experience a similar experience.  As you can see we are back home in Colorado, and we have SNOW!!

NOVEMBER IN THE EAST - (CATCH-UP)

Early in November we took another delightful break from the routine and traveled down to Cambridge, MD on the Chesapeake to play in another bridge tournament. What a great way to take mini vacations, meet new people, take new photographs and have fun.

    

On the way we stopped at St. Michael's for lunch,  A charming little town that we had visited several times before in Chuck's boat.  The parts of the town waterfront on Navy Point sit on a bed of oyster shells up to 10 feet thick in some places. 200 years ago it was a low marshy land and as industries like oyster shucking houses, a sawmill, a cannery and crab picking houses developed they needed more land to expand - so they created it by filling in the marsh and harbor with discarded oyoster shells.

The restaurant "The Crab Claw" has the best selection of Maryland Crab for lunch of anywhere we 

have eaten, that day was no exception.

We went on to the Hyatt Regency, a beautiful facility which was brand new the last time we were there years ago by boat.

 This little cove off o the river was a protected spot to tie up for the night.

Back home, on Long Beach Island, we continued our beach walks, never sure what we might find, or who we might meet.

The receding tide at times left beautiful patterns in the sand.

The birds were gathering for their journey south to warmer quarters for the winter.

The finishing touches were being put on our beach in the way of dune fence and walkways.  We 

wonder where they will be next spring after the winter nor'easters that are sure to come.

The last "big event" was the Ship Bottom anual Christmas Parade, we are usually gone by this time.  Of course here the theme was about the sea as this "first aid" whale exemplified.

Beside fire engines and emergency wagons from all of the surrounding townships, there were old cars

decorated with shore themes.

Boats being pulled by cars and trucks, and this rescue Jet Ski being towed by an ATV.

The private float took my eye, and the children towed by their Dad enjoyed being part of the parade.

Music was provided by a wide variety of group, including these Scottish bagpiper.

And how else would Santa arrive, except by boat.!!

OCTOBER IN NEW JERSEY - AND BEYOND