Fall Follies

Is it Thanksgiving Already?

Time seems to race by so quickly.  We wanted to post these pictures and commentary about what we have been doing these last couple of months--before Christmas is upon us.

Evelyn (l) and Abby (r) Kavinski

Susie's Promotion

After our Greek sailing adventure in August, we stopped in the DC area for a few weeks to see and visit with family and friends.

One of our most important visits was with our niece, Susie Lewis Kavinski and her family.

Susie receiving her promotion

We are so proud of Susie--she has made a wonderful career with the US Navy, as part of the Navy Band's Sea Chanters, a group of incredibly talented and professional singers. And we, of course, think she is the Best!

Recently Susie was promoted to Chief Petty Officer, a great honor and one that she has earned and well deserves, after more than a decade with the Band.

Susie and Jerry Kavinski

Before being promoted, Susie and some other "new chiefs" had to go through an incredibly strenuous six weeks of training, which included a lot of physical challenges and leadership training, but the most stressful part was being away from her family even more than usual.

The Kavinski Family

When she and her husband, Jerry, a hard working and talented musician in his own right, asked us to visit and help out with their two beautiful girls, Abby and Evelyn, we were happy to say yes.

It was a rough time for everyone, but Congratulations to Susie & her family! We were so honored to be a part of  this milestone in their lives.

Maryland Eastern Shore

The Bishop Family

Also while we were in the area, we visited with Sue's Brother and Sister-in-Law, John and Bonnie Roschy, on their farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 

During that time they hosted a Bishop (Bonnie's Mother's Family) reunion--the first in more than 30 years.  It was fun to see Bonnie's extended family, some of whom we had never met. The crab feast in the back yard was an added delight.

Back in Denver (Finally)

Getting back to Denver at the beginning of October, Bryn helped us celebrate Sue's birthday at one of our favorite local restaurants, the Vesta Dipping Grill.

It was a gourmet treat and lots of fun being out on the town with Bryn.

More Adventures with Charlie

Kindergarten

First Day Ready

While we were away, we missed Charlie's first day in Kindergarten.  He's in the same school where he attended Pre-K last year, so for him and us, it didn't seem like a "Big Deal." Still, we are astounded that he is now a kindergartener.

Rocky Mountain Adventure

Opa and Charlie getting ready to ride

During the first week in October, we kidnapped Charlie for a Rocky Mountain adventure.

Our first stop was the Georgetown, CO Narrow Gage Railroad, a restored 19th century narrow gage railroad that once hauled silver out of the mountains to Denver and the world beyond.







It was a beautiful Fall day; the short ride is great fun, and as an extra added treat the "Naked Lady" butterflies were migrating.

They were everywhere and one of our fellow train passengers showed us how to attract them so that they would rest on your hand.

Fall in the Rocky Mountains on the Georgetown Train

Charlie holding a toy and a "Naked Lady" butterfly

Charlie and Oma havin' fun on the train

Our next stop was Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, where we stayed the night in our favorite funky "mountain cabin retreat." While there we had the opportunity to do some hiking and "rock climbing."  This was right up Charlie's alley. Fortunately, Opa could keep up (if just barely.) Oma patiently waited for the explorers to return.

Mountain Man

Serious climging

Very serious climbing

Meeting back up with the non-climber

Charlie's love

Returning from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, we often stop for lunch in the little town of Lyons at Oskar Blues Brewery Restaurant.  This time we had the great fortune to have Annie as our server.  Charlie and she immediately bonded! So much so that on the way home he created a ghost story for her that he dedicated to Annie.

Two weeks later we made a special trip to Lyons, just so he could deliver the story to her.  Their bond continues.

In and Around Denver

New glass tower near  us, The Hines Bldg.

We are really happy with our decision to settle in Denver.  Of course, the fact that Bryn and Charlie are here, is an important part of that.


But Denver has so much to offer.


And it is changing incredibly fast, right before our eyes.

A year and a half ago, they broke ground on what will be the tallest building in Denver--and it is one block from our condo, Brooks Tower.

Myrna and Sue returning from a late night film

We read in the papers and hear on the news that 10,000 people are coming to the Denver area every month. With all of the building and the awful traffic on the Interstates, we believe it.

There's always something to do--the theater, opera, or going out to eat with new friends.

The Cherry Creek Walking & Bike Trail

Along Cherry Creek Trail

Confluence Park, where Cherry Creek meets the Platte River

One of the dams at Confluence Park

One of  our favorite activities is walking and riding on the Cherry Creek Trail.

We have had some beautiful days this fall; this trail is just a block from our house and the B-Cycle Bike sharing docking station is across the street, so why wouldn't you want to hop on a bike?

Oma and Charlie, ready for the show

Last week, Oma and Opa took Charlie to a production of A Snowy Day and Other Stories.

A three person ensemble presented this staging of four of  Ezra Jack Keats's well-known and much loved stories.

Charlie really enjoyed his "first" real live play and wants to go back again.  Since we love the theater so much, we hope this will be the first of many trips to see live performances.

Charlie petting "Willie" in the lobby after seeing "Whistle for Willie" performed


That's our catch-up for the last few months.  We have a lot to be thankful for as we prepare for Thanksgiving, so we wish all who read this (and all who don"t !):

Happy Thanksgiving

Greek Trip, Part II

Larry wrote a blog account and posted some pictures, but I think we was in jet lag...hardly any pictures of Greece itself, so here is another take on the trip:

Adventure was the right term.  Our sailing ship was small and pretty difficult to maneuver, as the sea was very, very rough.  So much so, that our rudder snapped and our sail broke from the mast one day.  Our adroit Skipper got us under control and the Coast Guard followed us safely to a cove.  Rudder was repaired the next day and sail tied to the mast for repair later.  Ten days was a long time.  Most days we got soaked to the skin--it was kind of like being on a carnival ride; very exciting; definitely not smooth and romantic.

The Aegean Sea is a glorious azure blue; the islands are 90 % rock; the little villages are as quaint as you see in travel photos.  Bright, white buildings perched on the cliffs with blue window trim and blue doors; quaint churches here and there painted all white with bright blue domes.  At each port, we disembarked (often a little hazardous), and explored a village.  We walked up a flight of stairs and then wandered through a maze-like bunch of tiny streets.  As we walked, we caught sight of many lovely and picturesque views:  doorways, long views down the cliffs, rows of houses along the narrow streets.  I'll try to select some photos and attach them. Though I am not good at that, it's primarily what I want to do with this addendum.

We stayed in Athens two days before and after the sailing trip.  It is HUGE !  I had no idea.  Many of the streets were almost deserted, as we were told everyone leaves in August and goes to the islands; thus, most islands were very crowded and Athens nearly deserted.  The Acropolis, as Larry pictured, was like an ant hill.  Our favorite trips were to the Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum itself.  Lots of antiquities and the latter is built in the image of the Parthenon containing as many of the original marble sculptures (or portions thereof) as they have recovered.  Fortunately very early on, I believe in the 1600's, an artist produced very exact renderings of how the sculptures looked, so they are able to display parts or all of a slab in the museum. (It was interesting to see how they got all the bird poop off each one--a very tedious undertaking and something you wouldn't really think about until you saw it.)

All in all, we had a wonderful time.  We traveled well with our friends Lois and Martin (who kept us laughing a lot with his silly puns.  Once on a bus he talked about the "Acrapolis" and a Greek lady got really offended, but she just doesn't know Martin; his puns are endless and he means no harm).  Our boat-mate Aussie ladies were very sweet and we learned a lot about Australia from them.  Our Skipper, Jose, whom we called alternately, "Skippa" (a la the ladies), Jefe (he is Spanish), or Maestro (as he tried to teach us something about sailing), because we felt Jose just didn't suit him.  Thank god he was very experienced and could handle an emergency or we all might be at the bottom of the sea.

After a couple days in Alexandria, VA (in Mart & Bob's house which they generously readied for us after their renters left and they themselves left for Chicago), we are beginning to feel human again.  It was a very difficult trip--took a lot of strength and we lost a lot of sleep.  It is something we always wanted to do and we now have some wonderful memories. 

Athens in the distance from the approach to the Acropolis

Archaeological Museum (note contemporary Apollo in the background doorway)

Beautiful ancient pottery

Typical resting spot 

Streetscape (typical of all islands)

View from the top (again, typical of all islands--we didn't keep track of specific  island scenes)

Lovely, eh ?

Another view of Athens

The gorgeous Aegean, at an untypical calm moment

Approaching a port, which we did daily

The churches were ubiquitous and quaint

Coast Guard Rescue

Ruins, not the Acropolis, but on one of the islands

Unfinished carving of Zeus, they think from the 5th Century BC

Pretty typical rocky beach

View of the Acropolis from the Acropolis Museum

A daily view; so lovely

Couldn't swear by it, but think this is Ios (note church on bottom left)

Close up of church with dome contrasting/blending with glorious blue sky (on Ios)

Statues recovered from the Temple to Athena on the Acropolis (in Acropolis Museum)

Summer in Denver (Part I)

Sue at our local bike stand

We are enjoying Summer in Denver; especially since we have discovered the convenience of using B-cycles to get around. These are public use bikes that are scattered all over Denver. 

There is a station just across the street from us. We use it for short trips to the grocery store or to go to our Community Garden Plot. With our Medicare Cards, we were able to register to use the B-cycles for just $10/year.  What a bargain!

Elati Community Gardens

Watering our plot

 Yes, the community garden is one of our favorite bike trips.  Bryn and Rob laid out the garden and planted it while we were away in Mexico.

We came back to beautiful garden, just beginning to yield spring greens and lettuce.

The tomatoes, peppers, squash and beans are all coming along nicely and promise to yield in the next few months.

Garden view from our favorite resting bench

In addition to the 20 or so individual garden plots, there are some perennial and annual flower beds and a community herb plot.  After watering or doing some light gardening chores, it is always nice to spend a few moments enjoying this lovely setting.

What a nice gift from the city--they provide the land, water, top soil and mulch.  We provide a little labor and can enjoy fresh vegetables and a lovely garden setting.

Charlie with Teddy and his chalk sketch of Teddy

One of ours and Charlie's favorite haunts is  "the Spider Man Park" as he has dubbed it. It is just off the Cherry Creek walking & bike trail, only two blocks from our apartment. 

This trail cuts through the city for many miles and is linked to other trails that will take you to Boulder & beyond.  (We use it to go to the Community Garden.)

We were there the other day and Charlie struck up an acquaintance with a little boy name Teddy.  Teddy willingly lay down on the sidewalk so Charlie could trace him.

Once traced, Charlie gave him a Mickey Mouse Tee shirt and other decorations. Charlie was so protective and gentle with him. Teddy was mostly bewildered, but really liked Charlie.

Strong Man Charlie

Charlie is now almost five and half; and at other times he likes to show how strong and grown-up he has gotten.  Crossing the monkey bars with your hands is not such a challenge these days. Speaking of little ones, recently we had a visit from Elinor (and her parents, Mary & Aron).  

Elinor with Dad, Aron

Elinor was born three months prematurely and had to struggle during her early weeks, but she is really healthy and beautiful these days & weighs in at a whopping 8 pounds.

Larry, especially enjoyed the opportunity to once again hold a newborn. They are so soft and cuddly.

As you can tell she is the apple of her Father's eye.

Charlie "fishing"

Also on the Cherry Creek Walking Trail is a fountain where Charlie discovered that he could "fish" for salamanders and other creatures.  The water was ice cold, but not too deep, and Charlie and Opa had a good time fishing there.

Our sidewalk artisit

Charlie, the sidewalk artist.  Attending the Annual Chalk Sidewalk Art Festival at Larimer Square (two blocks from our apartment), Charlie decided to see what he could create with his chalks.  Although not an official entrant, he did a nice job--and his Oma and Opa think he is very talented.

Thistle

Opa likes to walk along the Cherry Creek Walking Trail, even if Charlie is along to entertain him.  

Earlier this month, there were a number of these interesting thistles growing along the path. 

Clearly not something you would want growing in your garden or yard, they still are very beautiful, if prickly, plants.

The Graduate

Miss Brown with Charlie at Continuation Ceremony

Dancing at the Ceremony

One of the first things we participated in upon our return from Mexico was Charlie's Pre-kindergarten "Continuation Ceremony." We can hardly believe that it has been a full school year since Charlie started pre-K.

Sue and Bryn

Oma and Mom were similarly dressed for the Ceremony.

Bryn, Larry and Sue at Red Rocks

Since we have been in Denver, we have heard a lot about Red Rocks from friends and family. A couple weeks ago, Bryn purchased tickets for us all to go see Dirty Dancing, the 1980's cult movie which was being shown at the Park.

Happy to have made it to the top !

Red Rocks is an incredible natural setting; just 20 minutes from Downtown. Once parked, though, it is a good 20 minute walk, much of it uphill, to the amphitheater where the performances are held.

On this night, it was clear with great views of the city, but with a cold wind blowing from the mountains.  We were happy to have our fleeces and blankets to bundle up from the cold.

The crowd at Red Rocks waiting for the movie to begin

Dirty Dancing is still very, very popular and the amphitheater was packed.  Seems like everyone in attendance knew the movie and would cheer during their favorite parts, especially when "Baby" rebels against her parents and learns to dance dirty with Johnny.

We had a great evening. Thanks Bryn!