Escape to warmer climates

We have been on our annual January escape to western Colorado. We take time to enjoy some nature, host family and this year took a very quick trip to Arizona to enjoy some warmer weather and to see an area that neither Farmer Ken nor Farm Wife have been before. We also do the dreaded work of preparing our income tax, as farmers need to file by March 1st.
I have again neglected to keep current with the blogs (and have had some e. mail to ask if I could put something new up). I had viral crud for two rounds, as well as a secondary bacterial infection the last round and finally now can say that I feel better relatively normal after 2 months! SO, now I won't have an excuse for not getting everything done!
We arrvived in western Colorado New Years Eve, after a horrendous blizzard in the mountains closed I-70 and we took the Scenic route southwest via Buena Vista and back to I-70 at Minturn. Was bitter cold, but interesting.
Uncle Harold and Aunt Sharon came for their annual January visit and we had fun touring in the 4-wheel drive pickup. The view below is on a high ridge above Glade Park on the Colorado National Monument of the Grand Valley at sunset.



We visited some wineries as well and the gloworm joined us as usual. He says "Hi" to HC!




We took some neighbors up on their invitation to join them in Green Valley Arizona for a couple days and headed south through Utah on 191 and then on south through Arizona to Tucson and south to Green Valley.
There has been record amounts of snow in the Colorado Rockies, as well as in western Colorado and Utah, so it was an amazing site to see the sonw everywhere and the contrast with the red rocks and formations. It was a beautiful drive through Moah south on 191.
The following two photos are from the Salt River area. The second is a beautiful old bridge that was preserved when the new bridge was built. It is the Apache Bridge.




Neither of us had been very far south in Arizona and loved the cactus! would love to see the dessert in bloom!




We joined neighbors in the wonderful AND WARM area of Green Valley. They took us on a tour of the Tumacacori Mission, which are the ruins of one of the Spanish Missions that were started to colonize the Indians. It is a beautiful and spiritual site.




We enjoyed lots of southwestern food and the great company and hospitality of our good neighbors Gene and Mary.

We drove back to western Colorado through Monument Valley.



Utah, again was still white with the snow and unusual colder weather, but oh so beautiful!





Again, we always try to take the roads less traveled (we will definitely use our 4-wheel drive vehicle to explore more!). There is such unique and awesome beauty in our United States, that many will never experience. We are very blessed!