Well, that's a new one!

I have worn contact lenses for more years than I care to admit.
Today - for the first time ever - in a rush, I put BOTH contacts IN THE SAME EYE!!
Not 'almost.'
Not 'started to then caught myself in time as I realized my mistake.'
No.
I did it.
BOTH. ONE EYE.
And then I realized my mistake.
I was momentarily as creeped out as you are right now.

Colorado

Western Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit. We saw a tiny portion of it in our 4 days there, it was one jaw-dropping view after another. A visit to that part of the country will take your breath away more than once - figuratively and literally because at 10,000 feet and higher the air gets a leetle thin. I think I started to notice it at around 8,000 feet, but that may have been more attributable to the fact that I had Starbucks coffee (I swear they lace that stuff with crack) two mornings in a row before we slept at 8,000' and the next morning's headache may have been crack/caffeine withdrawal. Sleeping at 10,000' (10,152 to be exact...can I add another 3' for the bed, round it out at 10,155?) was another story. That headache was definitely due to the altitude.

Without further ado, a photo-heavy post for your viewing pleasure.

Colorado Springs & vicinity...

An honest-to-goodness cattle round-up.

Van for Sale (seeing as this is supposed to be a blog about a Westy)

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

Pike's Peak...

I have come across varying information as the to altitude at the summit of Pike's Peak, I'll go with 14,115' since that seems to be the number that turns up most often.

Crystal Creek Reservoir, near the start of the 19-mile drive to the top.

Twisty roads & hair-pin turns...you get the idea.

While we were enjoying incredible views and the thrill of the drive

there was a man riding a bicycle to the top. 14,115 feet. On a bike!

Frosty at the top.

Obligatory touristy 'Summit' sign photo-op.

View from the top.

Some of the passing scenery in other locations...

Leadville...
The highest incorporated city in the US at 10,152 feet.
We liked Leadville.

Hazel Street, for my Auntie

Woke up to snow on the mountains. 

The tall one in the middle is Mt. Elbert, highest peak in Colorado at 14,439'. If you're looking for us next August, I have a funny feeling that is where we will be.

Independence Pass, 12,096' ...

On the road to Independence Pass

Continental Divide

Yes, Colorado, we will be back.

Dave's First Senior Discount

Yesterday, as we were paying admission at the festival entry gate, the very nice gray-haired lady asked if we were seniors (apparently it takes one to know one).
I replied, "Not yet!," then asked, "What qualifies as 'Senior'?"
55.
Say whaat?!
Well, shoot! That's young!
But hey, a discount is a discount so I said, pointing at Dave, "He qualifies."
And as easy as that, Dave got a $2 discount.
I did ask if he got a free beer too since it was his first senior discount, to kind of take the sting off - so to speak. The free beer would have been a better savings, they were four bucks a piece.
I guess we could look at it this way: Dave's first Senior Discount was a half-price beer.
Yep. That sounds better.

I ask you, do these two look like they qualify as senior citizens?

Men in Kilts

We like Scottish Festivals.
There.
I said it.

Men in Kilts
Amherst 2007

Schedules permitting, there are a couple of Celtic Festivals in our area that Dave and I like to attend each year. We enjoy the music - yes, that includes the pipe bands -  we get to see a few friends and there is always beer. Lots of beer.

This is our friend Norm.
Norm likes beer too.
Norm + Dave = wives drive home.

Norm has a Kilt (he's Scottish) but we've never seen him wear it...
Olcott 2015

Sometimes there is inclement weather.

Kilts in the Rain
Olcott 2014

The Highland Games are always fun to watch. Feats of strength by men and women who don't quite fit the "athletic" stereotype we tend to think of in this country. These folks are no joke.

Athletes in Kilts
Olcott 2015

 

More Athletes, More Kilts
Amherst 2016

If bagpipes aren't your thing, there are other bands to listen to. We enjoy both. We're worldly like that.

 Musicians in Kilts
Amherst 2016

Musicians Unplugged - No Kilts
Amherst 2016

Pipe Band - Lots of Kilts

Amherst 2016

Did I mention Kilts?

Family Weekend in Letchworth

There is a house in Letchworth State Park that my dad loves. Honestly, I think if it was possible he would live there.

We recently spent a couple nights in 'Dad's house' with the entire family - it's always fun to be able to spend some extended quality time together. The weather was hot & steamy and the rain held off for the majority of the weekend so we were able to get out and enjoy the park.

Train trestle...now I know why Dad likes it there so much...

 Sharing intel for the morning 5k course.

 

Up to no good.

Mamma gettin' her game on.

Keepin' cool with a good book.

T skewering veggies.

Grillin' kebabs!

Family. Love. Life.

This just in from our feet on the street...

I can't decide which is stronger:
The shocking realization that people actually PAY someone to pick up their dog crap.
Or the overwhelming urge to smack myself in the forehead while muttering, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Genius.

When your brother rides in the back seat...

A look back...

I don't usually do these "Year in Review" things but 2015 was such a good year for us we can't help remeniscing.

There was travel. Adventure. Mountains. Concerts. More mountains. And there was running.

Here's a (hopefully) quick peek at a few of the highlights...

Dave's and my first High Peak, Mt. Marcy, in the Adirondacks with our favorite couple.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen....The Rolling Stones!

 

Maine, in the Westy. That state's highest peak, Katahdin, and the rugged coastline of Acadia.

Woven throughout the year was the common thread of running - a new activity for us. We both trained. We both worked on healing minor injuries. By Fall, we started running together. It became a great bonding ritual as well as a good way to motivate each other. We participated in 9 organized 5k's together, the final one being Dave's 1-year anniversary run as well as his fastest time to date.

Yes, 2015 was a very good year indeed.
We are looking forward to 2016!