Went to work w/Johanne at her office building. Bought cake for goodbye party for Nikki-it was her last day. Johanne showed me my 1st free QUEER FREE LIBRARY-I took a book. We have KAREN’S FREE LIBRARY behind my house in Austin. Then I met MARY back at the office. She was a parks & rec director in Chicago & I was a PE teacher. I always find it interesting how you can talk to a perfect stranger & find that you have so many things in common-including the identical key ribbon. Then I met her partner BARBARA-told her my sister’s name is Barbara. We have all been to Japan-my sister Martha was born there. They can come visit us in Austin any time. Later David drove us to a mt-took a 2.7 mile TRAM RIDE to the top of a mt.-2nd longest in the world. Went to eat at Jason’s Deli-came home to the hot tub. We are so thankful for another fantastic day.

Casino opened at 8-1st ones there. I lost my $5 in 5 min. Armand made $.04 on his $5 in 15 min. Went to Santa Ana Golf Course-Armand had a great day on a beautiful course. Made an EAGLE on hole #18 (par 5) by sinking an 80 yd chip. Drove to Albuquerque to stay with friends David & Johanna. Went out to eat at the Range & ended up in their hot tub. Another nice day even though we miss Whitney & Molly.

This is where ARMAND went to college when he was in the Christian Brothers in 1967-1969 It now looks like a ghost town. These pictures are for Armand to remind him of his past. He says he is very happy to be married to me now.

Molly & Whitney came over to put the last piece of the puzzle in, clean out the frig & say good-bye until their next trip. Thank you so much Molly who cooked all our meals & was responsible for us not getting lost. Drove to Santa Fe to walk around plaza-started to rain-left & drove to COLLEGE OF SANTA FE. This is where Armand went to college when he was in the Christian Brothers. The college is abandoned & in ruins. Drove to Bernalillo & checked into fantastic room in the SANTA ANA STAR CASINO. Went to hot tub. This was a really nice day because Armand took time for me to take pictures of ANIMALS & ART.

I LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL MURALS WE SAW TODAY

Whitney drove us to WOLF CREEK PASS where the Continental Divide is. We met JAMES who is hiking the Continental Divide. He started in Canada & is on his way to Mexico! I was very impressed. Then we drove to Treasure Falls & did a mile hike to the falls. MOLLY fell on the way down. Ate lunch at Mexican Restaurant so Molly could feel better. Came home-took nap-played golf. Armand played better than me again. Saw lots of geese & deer on the course. We ended up playing w/another Texan. Whitney had to move the air stream because someone complained. Molly still came & cooked dinner again. Armand & I completed the puzzle except for the last piece. Tonight is our last night with MOLLY & WHITNEY here-it has been very nice. ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR NEXT TRIP!

WHAT BEAUTIFUL EYES HE HAS

Loaded bikes in Whitney’s truck & drove to DURANGO. Filled up w/gas & saw a couple on a motorcycle in front of us w/a little dog. Asked to take their picture-dog goes everywhere with them. Parked at Home Depot, unloaded bikes. Biked 18 miles along scenic bike path that followed the river. I think Whitney probably isn’t used to stopping so many times for me to take pictures-but he was a very good sport about it. Came home, took nap while they worked on 1,000-piece puzzle. Molly & Whitney cooked another great meal-took walk. Now writing blog while they are working on puzzle.

Eat breakfast, pack & head for golf course. Play w/2 men-Gary & Royce who is from Austin & wearing a UT shirt. Golf course is beautiful-Armand beats me by 2 holes. Finish at 1:00-get text from Molly they are here too. Going to Chili Cha Cha Festival-meet them at library & bike to festival. Check in to our nice 2 bedroom house that we are sharing w/Molly & Whitney. As usual, Molly cooks fantastic dinner while we work on impossible 1,000 piece puzzle. I can’t find 1 piece so I’m writing blog. Going to bed early tonight.

Lots of driving-Santa Fe-thought we would stop but kept going. Going to stop at Buffalo Thunder Casino but too expensive. Glad we kept going to Pagosa Springs-drive was beautiful through New Mexico to CO. Armand did not want to stop for pictures-did turn around because Palo & Duro wanted to see the Buffalo. Most hotels were full-lots of tourists. Went to Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Left our neighbor Kaye in charge of Harley & Libby. Beautiful day for a long drive. Shared driving. I got the highway, Armand got the winding roads. Stopped & drove through PALO DURO CANYON. It’s 2nd largest canyon in US. Human habitation dates back 10-15,000 yrs Native Americans were removed in 1874 by US & sent back to OK. Army killed 1,200 of the Native American horses in the canyon, making it impossible for them to stay. I forgot to bring Arthur-my last animal from Arkansas for pictures. Found 2 new ones in PALO DURO CANYON & named them PALO & DURO.

Spent the night at La Quinta in Amarillo to honor ARMAND spending over 40 yrs staying in La Quintas-his hotel of choice when he worked as a salesman covering 7 states.

PALO & DURO IN PALO DURO CANYON