Beth was waiting at the airport to welcome me back to Colorado when I landed in Denver on March 28th. It was an easy flight(s). I felt bad that poor little CoCo was in her carrier for 16 hours! But she did great! We breezed through passport check since I have a "Global Entry" pass. I just put my passport in a machine and went on to baggage claim. We were slowed down a little because I had to declare my "animal" at customs. But then we were out and there was Beth - and a cloudy, rainy day. So I couldn't see my beloved mountains! Darn!
Beth took me over to Stacy's to pick up the key for the condo. Then we went through a drive-thru and got burgers for me and CoCo. Beth had thought of everything and had bought breakfast for me - President's butter, Bonne Maman strawberry jam and croissants!
The next day the sun came out and there was the Peak looking so beautiful with her new coat of snow!
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| A beautiful early morning photo of the Peak |
Beth picked me up and we went to lunch at Hacienda Colorado, my favorite Mexican restaurant. Then she took me to get my rental car which I would need until Cindy came on Friday to be my "wheels" until I could find a car to buy.
I was able to get my TV and internet set up, buy groceries and run a few other errands before heading back to the condo to check on little CoCo! She's a trouper! She got groomed -professionally, not by me! - on Thursday and looks so much better now.
Cindy came on Friday and we were pretty much non-stop until she left yesterday morning. She drove me around to look at cars and houses and in between all of that we ate at our favorite restaurants, visited our favorite places, saw "Beauty and the Beast" and had a wonderful fast-paced time!
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| Our French breakfast in Colorado! |
I was pretty firm about what I wanted in a vehicle and what price I was willing to pay, so after looking all over town I ended up buying a car in Castle Rock! It's a 2010 Hyundai Tuscon. I had hoped to find another RAV 4, but people seem to hold onto those til they die! But I think I'll be really happy with the Tuscon. And it's an automatic!!! (If you read my posts about car buying in France, you'll understand that last comment!)
We also looked at a few houses. The housing market in the Springs has really taken off so houses are going quickly, especially in my price range. But thanks to my precious friend, Stacy, I don't have to be in a hurry and can wait for the perfect place for me. It needs to "sing Hallelujah", as Beth says!
People have asked if I regret selling my house of 40 years. The answer is "NO". I would have wanted to down-size anyway so it would have been gone in a few years no matter what. I want a much smaller house. It has to have a fenced in back yard and a garage. It's been fun looking. I'm sure that just the right place will show up.
I have been to the zoo twice since getting back. It's so good to reconnect with my "babies". Yesterday I had a wonderful greeting from Asha and her daughter, Tumani, two of our lowland gorillas. They both came over to the glass where I was sitting and patted the window. Tumani took off, but Asha stayed and "visited" with me. Sorry I don't have photos of them as I was so busy "visiting" that I forgot to take pictures! And the lion cubs are getting so big! They are absolutely beautiful! What a joy to see them again.
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| Elsa is looking so grown up! |
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| Tembling came over to say "hello" |
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| It's hard being a bear! |
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| One of our beautiful mountain lions |
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| Tahoma's antlers are looking good |
The next few weeks will be filled with more house-hunting and settling in to life back in my beloved Colorado. Do I miss France? ABSOLUTELY!!! I miss the little churches and the big cathedrals, the castles on the hillsides, the abbeys in the woods, the lovely family owned restaurants, the little villages. And I miss H and G! But it is nice to be able to run errands between noon and 2 and know that places are open! ha! I am already making plans to return next year.
I will continue to write my blog posts. They may not be every week, but will help to chronicle my return to Colorado. You have all been so wonderful to me on this journey and I do so appreciate every encouraging word, question, comment, virtual hug. And may your journey be as wonderful as mine! Merci!!
