Back By Popular Demand

I haven't published a blog in over a month. I wrote a couple - but didn't publish them. I do enjoy writing. Just wasn't feeling like sharing them - too personal.

But hello...I'm baaack! Literally (just back from a weeklong vacation) and ready to write. I saw my relatives and they asked me about it. So here goes!

I love my family - if not for them, I'd be a total Christmas Grinch. Like many others, I get so tired of all the hoopla. Isn't that a great word? See - I've still got it. Insert Smile.

The first leg of our great End of 2018 Adventure started in Denver. This year we flew out! We have driven the past 10 years - taking Odie (RIP baby girl) and braving icy and snowy roads at times. Upon arrival in Denver, we took the light rail from the airport to Union Station where we were greeted by our four "kids". Jud and Kara had arrived from St. Louis the day before. We headed to the Wynkoop Brewery downtown for a brew and appetizers to catch up.

Marty and her peeps

That night we gathered with our Denver family - the Lamms and niece Jordan and wife Jill. Family  Matriarch, Aunt Marty, hosted at her place, Holly Creek Retirement Community. We sipped wine and dined on a lovely meal. But mostly we talked and laughed. It was a delightful evening - 3 generations of Bullocks with cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's children Matt and Kate. I love nights like that - pretty special. Marty tells stories about prior generations, including my Dad and Mom.

We talked about siblings and cousins who weren't with us - hope your ears were burning! I feel so fortunate that our family truly loves to get together - even the next generation! Our children enjoy their 2nd cousins the Lamms, and Amy and my aunt have a special relationship that warms my heart.

Rounding up the scooters

On Sunday Amy and Corey had a lot planned to keep us busy. It was a sunny nice Denver day. The kids helped the elderly download the Lime app onto our phones to enable us to "check" out electric scooters that have now taken over the larger cities in the US. Are they good? Bad? I'm still not sure but we sure had fun, and it was easier than finding parking for cars. I did feel nervous that I might crash and burn my old brittle bones self. But we all came through unscathed - riding on streets, sidewalks, and bike paths. My lower back took a bit of a pounding - no shock absorbers, riding up to 16 mph. It was fun!

Where did we go? First off, we went to Denver Milk Market. It's a market under one roof with lots of booths and restaurants. We all got sandwiches (lobster roll for me, yummo) and settled into a sunny comfy communal corner - there was all types of seating around for the many restaurants. A DJ type guy started a rousing game of Bingo and helpers handed out cards. (No pesky dobbers for you St. Malachy Bingo veterans - these had sliding tabs built right in). We joined in as game prizes were awarded market stores. The Bingo caller was hilarious.

Using all my talent and skills garnered from my years working Bingo as a St. Malachy parent, I won game 2! Good 'ol B15 - I always did like that combo. But wait! There was another Bingo, a young woman at least half my age. How would they select the prizewinner - bloody mary mix and bacon?

Two draft beers suddenly appeared in front of us. It was to be a chugging contest. You may find this hard to believe, but I've never been a chugger. I prefer to sip my beer. And my competition? She chugged it down like a barmaid from Wisconsin! Well played. I did get a free beer out of my Bingo victory.

Next, we Scooter Angels headed to the Lucky Strike - a bowling alley/game room to watch some football. Even though the Packers are having a bad season, Paul loves those guys. When we came out of that joint, there were only four scooters left, so we had to round up two again. The whole day on the scooter, after our ride back to Amy's was less than $5 - and no fossil fuels were used.

That evening we played laser tag - and I enjoyed being slain over and over again, by little kids in game one. We did play a second game that only involved our family. Our children ganged up on dear old mom. All in good fun! I didn't know I could still run and duck. Next we stopped by a fancy bar called Death and Company for drinks. Catchy name - fitting after I just got lasered! After a fancy cocktail, we went next door to a Latin dim sum restaurant called Super Mega Bien - delicious! It was nice to have Amy and Corey to tell us what to order.

The weather turned colder Monday. Paul and I said goodbye to Marty - she was preparing for their family Christmas Eve party. On our way to Amy's we stopped for Duffey Rolls - in honor of my beloved Uncle Bill, Marty's husband who passed a few years ago. He used to always get the delightful concoctions when we visited. That place was rocking - must be part of many family holidays. They were set up for many carryouts.

We headed up the mountain to Cindy's - running into snow near the tunnel. It got dicey past Copper but Paul and Corey did a great job piloting. (We had to take two cars) This was our 11th year to be with Lefebvres for Christmas. It just seems like the right place for us to be. Bolder has been gone six years now - the annual party has gotten smaller and not quite as animated since he passed. The usual family friends come - all their children grew up together. It's nice to be part of this group. My nephew Colby leads the carols along with his pals. During the second set, they break out the grass skirts. Fun to see our children join in. 

We opened presents in the Christmas morning before Colby had to head off to work. He manages El Sabor restaurant in Vail. Everyone in this area understands - they must serve the people who make their region go. I couldn't wait for my favorite gifts to be opened - yodeling pickle Christmas ornaments. (motion activated). All the kids got 'em! They were a hoot!

Paul and the kids skied Beaver Creek on a gorgeous day. Cindo and I tackled a jigsaw puzzle that was an unfortunate selection by me. I didn't realize when I purchased it that it had "Twists". The puzzle doesn't look like the photo. I have a feeling Cindy ditched it when I left. Too tough for old broads.

That night we were treated to another wonderful prime rib meal at Pottorff's. I think it was one of Eric's best yet! The whole fam got involved - son Byron made a delish Brussels Sprouts/Smoked Sweet Potato dish that was baked. Bonnie whipped up salad, potatoes and even dessert. It was all fantastic - I was still full the next day! We're so grateful to be included in this meal and the Sanders fam is there.

Escape Room deliberatinos

Our drive down the mountain was quiet as there was no snow. That night we tackled an Escape Room - this one required some deep thinking so we're glad Corey and Kara brought their intelligence into the family. It was another fun day with our clan. We kinda like 'em! That was the end of the Christmas part of our trip. We couldn't have asked for more. Bring on 2019! 

Grandpuppy Franklin has already shredded this toy...

On the third day

Each of us had pre-planned what we would order for breakfast at Guenthers our second time around. I went for the breakfast tacos - had to share one with Pablo as they were very filling, and got the fruit again. But, I share a bit of Sharon's apple strudel - to die for!

We rode the Wyndham shuttle over to Guenthers this day. On the way back, we walked around the river and stopped at our condo. Then we stopped a river taxi and headed north on the newest section of the Riverwalk toward the Pearl Brewery. Along the way, we discovered (our taxi captain broke it to us) that the brewery wasn't even a brewery, wasn't open and didn't do tours. Hmmm, then why the hell do they call it Pearl Brewery on the maps?

This upper end isn't developed commercially like the lower end, but is artsy - with art in the bridges and along the route. One bridge even had noise art - recorded noise from the gulf broadcast constantly. Beautifully landscaped as well. When we got to the end, there was a funky restaurant called Glorias along with a few shops in a LEED certified building. We stopped for bevvies and a bit of sustenance. And I had my bestest drink of the trip - (or 2) a mojito with fresh mint! Paul had his first Pearl beer - though it was brewed in Houston I believe.

From this funky spot, we caught the taxi directly to the oldest VFW in Texas - that was once in the middle of nowhere, when the Riverwalk was built right by it. It was a perfect dive, just right for Crestonians! We got a bucket 'o beer. And I mean bucket - rubber, like you'd expect to find sudsy water in...we took it to the balcony and chillaxed there with the other drunks um I mean patrons. The next taxi driver was the bomb! He was a font of knowledge and took us the rest of the route - we stayed on all around the old section of the Riverwalk too.

We decided to go back to the Wyndham and change clothes before our final hurrah - evening out. We were going to Boudro's - a place we had scoped out earlier. Unfortunately there was a 1 hour 20 minute wait. BUT, we could wait at their sister location with a nice drink. Sure! (We're easy...) So a hostess led us through the bowels of the dark restaurant and into a stainless steel elevator. And out a door, around a corner. Across a street. Around another corner...it was very confusing.

But the sister place (I never did get the name) had lovely martinis. And funky 50's motif. We hadn't even gotten the first drinks drunk when our number was up! Lucky there was a chef dude to follow back to Boudro's! Damn it was dark in that place - and some of us needed a flashlite to read the menu. I had a fish platter with lobster, seared scallop and some delectable cod. I was moaning in pleasure while I ate. Paul had blackened prime rib that he couldn't see because it was black!

All to soon it was time to pack up and get up to fly home. Unfortunately, our bad luck with flying hung around for this trip too. Bad weather in Houston screwed us up, and we didn't get much help from Continental as they made us wait all day in Houston before getting us in to Omaha. Even when our 9 PM flight was called, the pilots weren't there and we had to wait for them to show up. We got home to Creston at 2 a.m. I wasn't impressed with Continental - not all that helpful. I went to sleep after 3 and got up to drive to DSM at 6. Long day. But a good vacation made the long day a lil easier to take...

Bobbie and Sharon were in charge of re-ticketing after we missed our first Omaha flight

Monday in SA

Monday - sunny and hot. A repeat of Sunday. We decided to take the Wyndham Shuttle to Guenther House for breakfast - a big hit! It's the site of a historic mill, and they grind their own flour. I had the oatmeal pancake with pecan syrup along with fruit. Delish!

After we ate, we walked through the beautiful housing area back towards the Riverwalk, with a stop along the way at the Icehouse. We eventually ended up back by the Alamo at an old bar with gazillions of stuffed heads on the wall - but decided not to pay $$ a piece to go through their museum.

That night we walked to the Market area for a meal at the recommended Mexican food joint. It was crowded and had strolling musicians and colors galore in the huge restaurant. When we were seated, we found the menu to be suspiciously like our own Casa de Oro...hmmm. Except for Mexican Elvis in the background...It was fun though, and had a bakery attached.

Elvis Alert! behind guy in red. This one had very bad teeth!