Retired Teacher's Trip through Nebraska ~The Road Home

The Tax Conference was over. It was time to

"saddle up the horses" and start for home.

We detoured through the Outlets at Castle Rock.

We experienced some interesting landscapes.

We had stayed in seven different hotels

during our nine days away from home.

This was the nicest place, of all.

It has been open for only 3 months.

Clean and Friendly.

Next state = Nebraska

Our drive through the

Nebraska National Forest,

and the Valentine Wildlife Reserve,

provided spectualar views of nature at it's finest.

Near Valentine, we visited the

Historic Bryan Bridge

We enjoyed relaxing on our way home,

before hubby was due back in the office.

Oh, don't you just miss

the lazy days of summer?!

Take care,

~Natalie

Retired Teacher's Road Trip to Colorado ~Here's What We Had to Eat

Don't judge me...

I did take photos of some of the more 

impressive meals we ate while traveling.

After our tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery,

click here if you missed it

hubby and I shared this awesome burger,

topped with mushrooms and carmelized onions.

Their restuarant is called the Biergarten.

And then, after spending the afternoon and evening at

The New West Fest,

we finally found a place to stay. After checking in,

we walked to a nearby Bar & Grill to share this

huge platter of Loaded Chicken Nachos.

We enjoyed Continnental Breakfast in all of the hotels,

however, this was my favorite.

Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread with Cream Cheese.

So far, we had eaten burgers & fries,

nachos and hotel scrambled eggs...

I just wanted some lettuce.

In Boulder, at the West Flanders Brew House,

this salad with pears, beets, walnuts, and feta was perfect.

Hubby was in the mood for pizza.

By the next day, hubby was also on the lettuce bandwagon.

Now, in Denver, we ate at the Black-eyed Pea.

This was his Asian Salad with Grilled Shrimp.

I ordered the salad with Pears, Pecans and Feta.

I think it is my new favorite.

Then before we knew it, 

our vacation time was coming to an end.

In Sterling, Colorado, the hotel staff recommended this brewhouse.

Parts & Labor Brewing Co.

We shared the Brisket Nachos.

Chips with Beer Braised Brisket,

Queso Blanco, Cheese, Fried Onions,

and Pickled Cherry Peppers.

It came with a side of horseradish sour cream.

It was so tasty...but the portion was too big for two!

Another day spent in the car,

our last stop for a late lunch/early dinner was at the

Peppermill in Valentine, Nebraska.

We shared the Prime Rib Sandwich.

It was so very tender!

We spent the evening checking out the sites

in Valentine and lounging around

in the hotel.

We walked back over to the Peppermill.

We ordered the Sand Hills Sack Lunch.

(If you grew up in a ranching community,

you know all about this delicacy.)

That's right...

we just had to do it.

It was a great way to end our 

time vacationing in the Old West.

Home again, Home again,

Jiggity Jog.

After nine days of eating in

hotels, restaurants,

brew houses,

and steakhouses,

I was ready to eat a meal at home.

Hubby's Grilled Chicken

Pasta with homemade Pesto

Green Salad with strawberries and Red Onion.

There's no place like home!

Take care,

~Natalie

TGIF ~Garage Project Progress ~It's About Time for an Update

Once the garage addition was enclosed,

hubby has been anxious to get into his man cave.

We have sat out here, more than once,

to watch the Twins game on our

vintage family room television.

If you remember my last garage project report...

our next step was to hire an electrician.

Click here, if you missed it.

Here are the light switches and outlets.

Insulation was next.

Hubby likes a project like this at night,

since he sits behinds a desk all day.

And, I agreed to help.

He could do all the walls...

but needed some assistance with the ceiling.

After this, a layer of plastic...

We were ready for the drywall.

Our contractor had that installed in a couple of days.

We came home from our Colorado road trip to find

the addition ready for some paint.

Next, lights and electricity...

and then we can start to move things in.

Stay tuned.

Take care,

~Natalie

Retired Teacher's Trip to Colorado ~Denver's 16th Street Mall ~7th Day: My Report

The last day of hubby's conference...our last day in Denver.

I had four hours to entertain myself, all on my own.

That's easy to do when your hotel is on the 16th Street Mall,

a mile of shops, restaurants and attractions.

(Pedestrians and city buses only)

There is a piano, or two, on every block,

with plenty of musicians sharing their talent.

Speaking of talent,

this mural was a typical site down the alleyways.

Another typical site in the stores.

Need something for your sweet tooth?

My morning, strolling along the mall, went fast.

I returned to the hotel, and hubby was there shortly after,

ready to check out and load the car.

Thank you, Denver, 

for your fine hospitality.

Take care,

~Natalie