We started the year by meeting Janet and Allen at the Western StockShow and watching the rodeo.
Later that month we decided to visit some sites in Colorado that we had never seen. Bent’s Fort has been beautifully reconstructed and the rangers dress in period clothes. The rooms are filled with artifacts that can actually be picked up and examined.
Nearby is the site of the Sandcreek Massacre. Not much to see, but lots to think about.
Nevada and Utah
In February we drove to Mesquite, Nevada for a week of golf and hiking. The highlight of the trip was an Old Chicago reunion at the Valley of Fire. A long drive for beer and burgers, but well worth it.
On our way back to Colorado, we went on a rather long hike to see a slot canyon in southern Utah.
Italy and the Adriatic Sea
Our annual “Trip of a Lifetime” started in February, as we flew Denver-Minneapolis-Amsterdam-Venice. From Marco Polo Airport we took a water taxi to our Venice hotel.
In Venice, everything moves on the water, including people, commerce, and trash. Streets are for walking. No bicycles or wheeled vehicles of any kind.
We were fortunate to be there during the carnival, which leads up to Ash Wednesday. The local residents sometimes spend thousands of dollars for period costumes and masks, then walk the streets in order to be admired and photographed.
Gondolas are still big in Venice, although there are only two factories that still build them. We did a tour that included a factory and a ride complete with musicians.
There are many islands near Venice and we toured two of them. Here is a picture of Burano, with its colorful buildings. According to our guide, the fishermen used leftover paint from their boats to color their houses. No neighborhood restrictions on color. They even allow bicycles.
After three nights at a hotel in Venice, we boarded our small ship Arethusa.
Great food, comfortable rooms, and small enough to get to know a lot of the passengers. Some of the best conversations were with travelers who had over 20 previous trips with Grand Circle. Here we are on our small balcony.
This map shows where we cruised.
Because of high seas, we docked at Koper instead of Piran in Slovenia. We enjoyed a home-hosted dinner and learned about sea salt and local education from the young adult son and daughter. Slovenia was the first country in the region to gain its independence from Yugoslavia.
In the Croatian city of Pula we toured the Roman amphitheater. Not as large as the one in Rome, but better preserved. The tour included an underground tour of what lies below the colosseum.
A bell tower dominates the skyline in Rovinj.
On our way back from our walk to the tower we passed through several interesting neighborhoods. I’m sure that there was a good reason for this fat door.
Here is the view from a castle that we toured. Still visible are the ruins of the original castle.
More sobering sights included war memorials and the Nazis concentration camp Risiera di San Sabba where thousands of Jews and political prisoners lost their lives.
Our last day in Trieste featured a wonderful visit to a family-owned vineyard, where we sampled many of their favorite wines.
The next day the Arethusa returned to Venice. We said goodbye to our tour group and headed for the train station for an adventure to Florence and Rome on our own. In Florence we started with a walking tour that helped us become at least slightly familiar with the sights.
We did a lot of walking. The biggest day was 30,000 steps for Linda. Darel came in second at 27,000. We walked from the Hilton Garden Inn through a city park along a river and visited the David museum.
We went to a concert in an old church that evening. Some Bach, some Mozart, and lots of Vivaldi. Lots and lots of Vivaldi.
Our tour leader insisted that if we visited Florence, then we HAD to visit Lucca. We did a bus tour that included Pisa, where one is just forced to take one of the standard pictures.
Lucca is an ancient walled city with fewer tourists, but lots to see. The wall is really a huge fortification that completely surrounds the city. We walked through the city, then returned along the walking trails on top of the wall.
Then on to Rome. The number one activity seems to be people watching. And there are many famous locations where that takes place, including the Spanish Stairs
and the “Three Coins” fountain
On our way to the Vatican museum we shared a Thumbs Up with the Pope in the subway.
The Vatican museum is extensive, to say the least. It begins with beautiful artifacts from ancient Egypt, and continues through the Roman empire and the rise of the Catholic church.
Our hotel was within easy walking distance to many famous sights including ruins.
Huge crowds, but good reasons for lots of people. There is a whole lot to see, and four nights in Rome gave us a good start.
We flew home right on schedule. My checked bag arrived two days later. It took almost a week for Linda’s to finally make it home.
Mayan Riviera
Just time to wash our travel clothes and off to the Mayan Riviera with Allen, Janet, Olivia, Sarah, and Sean. Visit some Mayan ruins at Tulum, swim in a cenote, swim with the turtles, day at the beach on Cozumel, and lots of good food. We rented a Chrysler minivan, which was slow but large enough for all of Olivia’s shoes.
Allen talked four of us into playing golf at a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. We bought a dozen balls, found another 6 or 8, but lost enough so that by the 18th tee, we decided that the winner would be whoever ended up with the most balls. Allen and Janet quickly drove their last balls into a lake. Linda and Darel had great drives and hit the green on both of our approaches. Unfortunately, both balls rolled off the green and into the lake. Four-way tie.
The Wedding
Can’t forget this. Big day for Linda and Darel. Huge day for Janet and Allen.
Beautiful day, joyous wedding, gigantic celebration.
Long Weekend in Santa Fe
About a month later we shared a long weekend in Santa Fe with Janet and Allen. First time Linda and I have ever been invited to a honeymoon. Thanks to Elbert and Carol for letting us use their beautiful townhouse, within easy walking distance of Old Town.
We saw the famous spiral staircase
and even found a picture of our first State Farm Agent, Jerry Apodaca, in the State Capitol building.
We stopped in Taos long enough for a few pictures on our way back to Colorado
Last Fling of the Summer
The Old Chicago gang decided that Coeur d’Alene, Idaho would be a great spot for a bicycle tour. The timing was perfect for viewing the solar eclipse on the way. I wish that I could claim credit for this picture, but it really is what we saw. Amazing!
Here we are on our ride. Over 40 miles the first day through gorgeous lakefront views. Three days of biking. Thanks, Cindy, for the training sessions that helped me get in shape.
We took a detour through Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks on our drive back to Colorado. Smoke from forest fires throughout the northwest limited the views but still worthwhile.
Puerto Vallarta
September and October went by very quickly, then a week in Puerto Vallarta right after Thanksgiving.
Tucson
Our last trip of the year was a road trip to Tucson, where we visited with Mary Ann and Boone, played a couple of rounds of golf, and hiked the desert and this place called Sweetwater Preserve, not what we expected to find in Tucson.
On our way to Las Cruces, we stopped at Chiricahua National Monument. Spectacular rock formations. Out of the way but worth the detour.
After a stop in Las Cruces to visit with Carol and Elbert, we met Janet and Allen in Albuquerque to cheer on the CSU Rams at the New Mexico Bowl. Great way to finish the year. We began in January with Janet and Allen at the National Western, then met them in Albuquerque in December.