Montrose

I don't think you could find two better hosts than Silke and Gordy Printz. We had so much fun with them that we did not want to leave. Now I know where Annika learned to set such a beautiful table!!

One morning we had a wonderful German breakfast, which looks a lot like a German dinner we learned, and before we knew it we looked at our watch and it was lunch time. We spent over two hours talking story. We never tired of the Gordy Stories!

They took us on the 5 star tour of Montrose. Saw Annika's favorite tourist attraction-Black Canyon, the house she grew up in and the "little red door" on her and Leo's house. The next day we were treated to a round of golf at the Bridges, the private golf course. They were doing a promotion to get more golfers so it was free. Thank God because it was not a pretty site watching us try and hit a golf ball in 40 MPH winds. Afterward there was a reception with free beer and wine. We got to meet several of Gordy and Silke's friends. they are celebrities in that town.

We were all going to go skiing at Telluride the next day but the weather turned on us and with the high winds came some snow and basically a white-out so we bagged it and hung out at the house and read and played cards. Roby and I learned to play "Hand and Foot Canasta" Silke and I beat the pants off of Roby and Gordy!!

Roby and I took off for Telluride the next morning and had a wonderful day of skiing. So much for warm spring skiing with lots of sunshine, but we could not complain at the 8 inches of fresh powder. We hit the new bowl at Telluride and had a great day. Sure beats working. Upon our arrival back in Montrose that evening, the Printz' had dinner waiting for us and a new guest. We got to meet Annika's Aunt Jeannie. Dinner was wonderful and we started up a "mean" game of Phase 10. (Kelly and Tim-we are carrying on the tradition-three new recruits).  Had to get in a few episodes of Benny Hill with Gordy. (his twin)
Morning came too soon and our wonderful visit was coming to an end. I think we could get used to hanging with Gordy and Silke-we did not want to leave. But the next stop was calling our names. Off to Crested Butte.

We cannot thank Gordy and Silke enough for all they did for us. We have never been taken such good care of and had such a good time. We will strive to be just like them. Our idols the world travelers! We hope to see you along the way.
Montrose is near the top of the list for our new home -the Russell Stover Candy Headquarters is located there!!

I think Telluride has surpassed Del Mar as our favorite, though. Maybe half the year in Del Mar and half the year in Telluride.

OH MY GOD-We are in Heaven

Driving into Monument Valley you really felt you were in God's country. The new hotel-The View (aptly named) was at the top of the lookout. Check out the videos and pictures. I know they do not do it justice but hopefully it will spur you to go and check it out. We jumped on our bikes. The weather was gorgeous and it was so surreal. I wish a movie crew was there filming us bombing down the hill. Leo where are you!!!

We found probably the most sustainable and off the grid house. It was down in the bottom of the canyon with no electricity or running water. What a rough view they had. The Navajo also know where to set up shop. At the 1/2 way point with the most incredible view is a strategically placed jewelry stand. Cheryl and Kelly-I think this would be the perfect spot to sell your artistry.

The bike ride was exhilarating and we constantly needed to pinch ourselves that it was for real. One of the most purely enjoyable things I have ever done, that was of course until we reached the big hill we had to climb to get out!!

No worries though, made it with no difficulties. Awarded ourselves with a PB&J sandwich and headed to Montrose. We took the back route through all the farm and ranch lands of southwestern Colorado and arrived in Montrose around 9:00 pm. It was beautiful country. (Route through Mexican Hat, Bluff Utah, saw the San Juan River, Norwood Colorado, Ridgeway Colorado into Montrose)

We arrived and were welcomed by Annika's parents and a good German Dinner!

The little crack in the wall

The story goes: a 12 year old Navajo girl was herding her sheep and came upon a hole in the mountain and guess what she discovered. When you see the pictures you would never know what was hidden behind the wall. Words cannot describe it and the pictures only tell half the story. This place is somewhere everyone should put on their Bucket List. The little girl grew up to become a lady who has the monopoly on the guided tours through the Canyon. Capitalism at its best. The walls go up at least 100 feet and several floods have affected not only the canyon but in 1977 over 11 people drowned. The water hit the top of the canyon wall. Our guide gave us some tips on how to photograph the slot canyon so Roby pretended to be the great photographer-Peter Lik. How much would you pay for his photos??

Was definitely worth the detour

Finally out of Phoenix

We never thought we would get out of town. Not that we were not enjoying ourselves. How could you not when you are hanging with great friends, with great weather and all the time on your hands. Roby has definitely learned to sleep in late. Our final quest was to pick up the motorcycle and store it at our friends house. It did not disappoint. We got to the warehouse at 7:00 pm and the crate was falling apart and had a big bulge in the side. This was not a good sign. Upon tearing the crate apart, I was in disbelief, my motorcycle was laying down which is not a good thing. Thank god the tank did not crack or blow up. Those wonderful movers-I would not suggest Kauai Commercial to anyone. they failed to lock in the tires and thought a few tow straps would hold it in place and we paid them $500 for this cardboard box. Thankfully Roby had attached the helmet to the bike and it acted like a brace which limited the damage to the bike. But this just added more issues to deal with and we were supposed to be leaving the next day. Needless to say it was not over. The battery was dead so we had to replace that at the warehouse and did not get the bike to our friends until almost 9:00 pm.

We woke the next morning, finished the packing and headed out the door-albeit 1 hour late. With our luck we stopped at a subway for lunch and right next door was a motorcycle shop so we were able to get an estimate for the motorcycle. We would be able to file our claim once we hit Colorado and found a fax machine. Things were coming into line.

Since we did not really have any schedule we decided to stop off at Arcosanti-Paolo Soleri's sustainable city he has been builiding for over 30 years. Amazing what he is doing and his goal is to design and build a city where you live, work, and socialize for over 5000 people. they have workshops and internships and volunteer work to help with the building and learning how to do his pottery. You also get to take courses and interact with Paolo. Well worth it. Roby and I are considering going and living at Arcosanti for the 5 week program when we return.

Now that we are two hours behind schedule, we decided to forget having a schedule and bagged going straight to Monument Valley and took a detour to Antelope Canyon near Page Arizona. We needed some firewood so we stopped on the side of the road and broke some dead limbs off a tree and somehow piled them into the truck which was filled to the brim. Money is tight so we have to pillage our wood. We also encountered our first fiasco. The great idea to put the grill cover over the bikes did not fair so well. I guess it was not made to withstand the wind shear at 75 MPH.

We arrived in Page and found a campground mainly for RV's but it had an area for tents and it was pretty full. No wood fires were allowed so fortunately the weather was cooperating and we had a nice evening. Set up our new tent which was a snap!! We learned what real retirement was when I encountered an older lady brushing her dentures in the bathroom!!

I recommend Uncle Ben's Brown Ric packets, they need very little water and cook quickly which is important when you are hungry and cooking over a bunsen burner.

The next morning came early and we had to be at the Tour Place at 8:00 am for our adventure to Antelope Canyon. Good thing we are fast. We broke camp and got ready in less than 30 minutes and arrived on time.

we are off

Patti and Roby Contact Information

Mailing Address: 6329 N. 14th Place, Phoenix, Arizona 85014 (our Friend Kelly's house) In case you need to mail us anything.  She can get it to us

Phone numbers:  808-651-8105 or 808-346-3013 (we had to keep a piece of Hawaii with us)

emails: pattim@azbar.org and snobyrow@gmail.com

blog site: redefinein09.blogspot.com

Long Awaited Trip Schedule

We have attempted to plan our trip and have devised the following schedule.  Of course every place and date is subject to change but here is a start:

March  Monument Valley, Montrose Colorado, Vail Colorado

April Moab, Sun Valley (possible), Portland, Seattle

May Jasper/Banff, Glacier National Park Montana, Sturgis S. Dakota, Wisconsin, Chicago, Cleveland

June All of the East Coast and New York

July Spain

August France

Sept Italy (maybe junkets to Greece, Croatia and Montenegro)

October China and Hong Kong

Nov Bali, Australia

Dec Australia, New Zealand

Jan Argentina

Feb Chile, Peru

March  Costa Rica

March RT to USA and drive southern route of US

Please let us know where you want to meet us!!!  We have several takers already for Italy so join quickly.