Colorful Colorado

We had stopped Friday night at an RV Park in Pueblo, Colorado, and awoke Saturday morning to bright sunshine and our first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains with snow still on some of the taller peaks.















From Pueblo, we followed US50 along the Arkansas River which provided us with some great scenery. Much of this section of the Arkansas River has a lot of white water rafting and we were able to see many of the groups as they made their way downstream. It was a Saturday and there were a lot of rafts on the river.

We also witnessed a very large number of fly fishermen all along the river. It must be trout season. I thought about stopping and getting out my fly rod, but didn't feel I should take the time. But, what a temptation!
















We eventually ran out of river and made our way up the grade and across the Continental Divide at 11,200 feet. There we found ourselves in snow, although the road was clear and dry.



Carole wasn't very happy about US50 winding around at 11,000 feet, but I thought it was an absolutely amazing drive. We made our way through most of the Colorado Rockies and stopped Saturday night at Montrose, Colorado, a very pretty small mountain town which obviously caters to outdoor enthusiasts; skiers, bikers, hikers, rafters, fishermen, and hunters.

What a wonderful day. I can hardly wait for tomorrow.

Leaving Kansas

We were planning to leave home in "The Bus" on Wednesday and travel to the West Coast. However, on Tuesday Carole had a "treatment" (an injection of medication directly into her eyeball) and she was not feeling well enough to travel on Wednesday. So we waited until Thursday to leave.

We are going to the West Coast first for the wedding of her granddaughter, Melissa Krallman, near Sacramento. Secondly, the graduation and commissioning in the US Air Force of her grandson, Alek Krallman, in Washington. In addition, we plan to spend time visiting my relatives in Modesto, California, Carole's sisters in Bakersfield, California, and Carole's son near Seattle in Washington.

Anyway, we were able to get packed up and on-the-road Thursday morning. We decided to forsake the well-traveled Interstate Highways and drive the less-traveled scenic by-ways all the way to the West Coast. We followed US56 across Kansas enjoying the small towns and, for the most part, the empty roads. We encountered very little traffic; most of the traffic was obviously on the Interstate.

We made a leisurely trip about half way across Kansas on Thursday and stopped for the night in Great Bend. On Friday, we drove the rest of the way across Kansas joining up with US50 in Dodge City, then on to Pueblo, Colorado, where we stopped for the night.

Sam to Second

My grandson, Sam Crowl (John and Becky's youngest) is the only one of my grandchildren to have an interest in Scouting. Sure, others have been in the Cub Scouts or the Brownies, but none, until Sam, have been interested in continuing in the Boy Scouts.

Last night, Sam was awarded his badge for reaching the rank of Second Class Scout.

In the photo below, Sam's Scoutmaster is shown presenting the award to Sam while John, the proud father, and myself, the proud grandfather look on.



I understand Sam has already completed most of the requirements for advancement to the next rank of First Class. Congratulations, Sam. Keep up the good work. We are all so proud of you.

Spring is Still Springing

We went from Winter into Spring so abruptly here in Kansas that I was afraid Spring would be over quickly and I would suddenly find us in the middle of Summer. But, it hasn't turned out that way. "Spring is Still Springing".

As usual, first were the Bradford Pears, then the Redbuds, and then the Forsythia. Those early bloomers were beginning to loose their flowers and I thought Spring was over until one morning I walked out the front door to see Carole's Ajuga was in full bloom. Beautiful purple spires.










And then the lilac bush burst into color surrounding us with it's wonderful aroma.

















I began looking around, and saw tulips in lots of different colors . . .
















. . . and flower beds all over town bursting into brilliant color.














In John and Becky's (my son-in-law and daughter) front yard is a beautiful tree completely full of white blossoms . . . a truly awesome sight! It seems to have burst into flower almost overnight. I don't know for sure what kind of tree it is, but it certainly is proof that "Spring is Still Springing".

Spring is such a beautiful time. It's too bad it only comes once a year.

Senior Prom

My granddaughter, Jordan Crowl, John and Becky's oldest daughter is now a senior in high school. And, of course, that includes the "Senior Prom".



Jordan looked so pretty and so 'grown up' in her formal, shown above with her prom date.

Wow! They sure grow up in a hurry.

SIX YEARS

"Where does the time go when you're having fun?" "Time flies!" "Tempus fugit (from Latin class in high school).

It's hard to believe that Carole & I have been married "SIX YEARS". Six whole years! I guess they're right. Time does fly when you're having fun. We have traveled to so many places, met so many great people, and done so many interesting things . . . all in the past "SIX YEARS".

To celebrate our 6th Wedding Anniversary on April 17th, we went to one of our favorite places, the New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas. We attended the Saturday afternoon matinee, but the food and drinks were wonderful and the performance was great, as usual.



We were presented an Anniversary Card signed the the entire cast, including John Davidson of the Brady Bunch fame. The play we saw was Becky's New Car, a hilarious comedy.

We had a wonderful time. I just find it hard to believe that "SIX YEARS" could have gone by so quickly.

Another Davis

My granddaughter, Megan (Steve's oldest), and her husband, Scott Beathke, had a son last night at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. I have two great-granddaughters (Megan's two oldest), but this is my first great-grandson. He was born five weeks early and still weighed 6 lbs 2 oz and was 17 inches long. His dad is a big man and it looks like my new great-grandson may take after his Dad.


The baby has been named Davis Everett Beathke, as Megan wanted to continue the family name of "Davis". Both mother and baby are doing well.

















On the left above, Megan's oldest daughter, Maci, looks like a proud big sister with that big smile on her face. On the right above is Carole holding Davis. Anytime you want to make Carole happy, just put a baby in her arms.

Congratulations, Scott and Megan, for giving us "Another Davis".

Brunch With The Bunch

Following Easter morning services at our church in Hillsdale, Kansas, we joined my son-in-law, John Crowl, and my daughter, Becky, along with their four children and the three Moore boys, sons of my daughter, Cindy. As many of you know, John and Becky took in Cindy's three boys following her death. So John and Becky now have a household of seven kids, which we affectionately refer to as our "Brady Bunch".

We met our "Brady Bunch" at the Sheridan Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, for an Easter Brunch. I guess you could say we were having "Brunch With The Bunch".

The layout and atmosphere in the room where the brunch was set up in the Sheraton was awesome . . . a large ballroom with a twenty-plus foot high ceiling. The brunch buffet tables and bars were attended by a large number of chefs, who were cooking and serving the guests.


Some chefs were cooking omelets, some steaming oysters, some preparing special soup arrays, and some preparing on-the-spot desserts such as Bananas Foster. Others were carving meats such as prime rib, ham, roast pork, and rack of lamb. Several different kinds of shrimp were spread out along with an endless supply of King Crab legs. Of course, numerous salads were offered along with a considerable number of side dishes.

It was a little "pricey", but our "Brunch With The Bunch" was really, really nice.

Pictured on the left below are Alex, Luke, and Jordan. On the right below are Jordan, Kyle, and Sam. Yes, as expected, Jordan leaned into both pictures.
















Pictured below on the left are Carole and Maddie. On the right below are Tyler and Becky.

















And below are the happy parents, John and Becky.

And, of course, no Easter gathering is complete without the Easter Bunny. There he is visiting Carole and I.


What a wonderful experience! An absolutely fantastic brunch spread, the Easter Bunny, and, most of all, a very memorable "Brunch With The Bunch" . . . our "Brady Bunch".

A Day Well Spent

Every year on Saturday before Easter, the Hillsdale Ruritan Club, a local civic club of which I've been a member for many years, puts on a Pancake Breakfast in the morning followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the local kids.



This morning we served pancakes, sausage, and eggs to about 150 people followed by the Annual Easter Egg Hunt which was attended by about 125 kids who each received a bag of Easter candy.

A great time was had by all . . . and the Hillsdale Ruritan Club made enough money from this annual fund raiser to award five scholarships to local graduating seniors.

"A Day Well Spent"!

Spring Has Sprung

It seemed like we had some snow left on the ground one day . . . then suddenly the next day the first harbingers of Spring appeared! Wow! "Spring Has Sprung" in Kansas.

Overnight, the Forsythia bushes at the end of our driveway were a mass of yellow blooms . . .


Followed by the apple tree along the drive popping out all over . . .




Up close, the apple blossoms are so pretty . . .














Next we should see the Redbuds coming to life, and then the lilacs. Spring is so colorful here in Kansas. Yes, "Spring Has Sprung"! Finally.

I can hardly wait 'till the dandelions pop out.