Day 18-Cookie Jar Sweet Memories Plus Christmas!

Day 18

 

“Are we there, yet?” Questioned Becky as we crossed

the J.B. Bridge on our way to distant Colorado

 

I waited twenty-nine years to get to my beloved “West”; Beth was nine and kid sister Becky was an innocent three when we trekked to the beckoning Colorado Rocky Mountains. As an aficionado of myriad “Lone Ranger” episodes, the masked man being one of my childhood heroes, “Superman” being the other, I couldn’t wait to get into those high peaks and saddle up to ride with the Ranger and Tonto on adventures incarcerating bad guys; thus, a family vacation.

Oh! Sure! I knew the Ranger and Tonto were not in Colorado; but, I do admit to an active, vivid imagination, and, I wanted the boys to be there. They weren’t; I was severely disappointed!

The morning we left good old Monroe County on our western quest to the mountains, we had traveled less than seven miles to the grand old Mississippi River to cross the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into the state of Missouri on our journey westward. Coming onto the bridge, daughter Becky, housed between the two front seats ( prior to “child restraints” advocacy legislation), Rachel relegated older sister, Beth, to the back passenger seat corner of the car as Becky claimed the “center-attention” space dominating Mom and Dad; she chattered, incessantly.

“Are we there, yet?” Becky voiced her query, barely ten minutes into a twelve hour trip!

And, she was tenacious, asking the repetitive question over and over: “Are we there, yet?”

We got through the long drive with an overnight stay at a Ramada Inn in the state of Kansas where I took the kids swimming in the motel pool. Between some “in-car” games to help occupy the girls attention and more than a few stops just to let Becky out for fresh air and to “run”-off some excessive energy, the mountains came into view, eighty miles distant, about forty minutes after we flew through the little western town of Kit Carson. Eureka! “Now! We’re almost there!”

Arriving at Colorado Springs, we checked in to our motel, stashed our bags and headed out.

“Garden of the gods” is Colorado Springs’ city park. The red rock sandstone outcroppings were beautiful in a summer-mountain cerulean sky; the adventure had “officially” begun! Great!

Air Force Academy jets screamed across the blue abyss as we “picnicked” in a dry creek bed in the confines of the Garden of the gods park; a welcome to our family from the “military”.

I wore my brand new silver-grey textured cowboy boots! Wow! Just like a Colorado-native!?

We hiked the grounds of the city park enjoying the sites and taking copious 35mm photos. The entire event was absolutely gorgeous. Only one “tiny” problem: little Becky couldn’t walk!

Her small feet failed to gain purchase on the slick sandstone rocks; akin to walking on oil!

Her little feet kept slipping and sliding; I had her by the hand, precluding any “serious” crashes. She was such a trooper, wanting to keep going, climbing the “mountains”, doing her very best to keep up with “big” sis sure-footed as a seasoned billy goat. We “posed” the experienced” mountain climbers and Dad employed his “creative” skills of photography to manage more than a few roll of 36-exposure rolls; some even turned out “pretty” good! Not a conclusive-result of any “professionalism” on my part; due entirely to the talent of my models!

Numerous follow-up vacations ensued; Becky quickly got the hang of mountain “hiking”.

These children have been a sacred-“blessing” and a means for Dad to extend his childhood!

Thank you! Girls! And, Nan, too! Always patient with her rebel, rascal, rogue’s shenanigans.

Ah! What a life!

Cookie Jar Sweet Memories!

Plus:

 

 

 

Christmas Divine…

 

 

 

 

                               Savior King

                               Angel sing

Humble stable

Banquet table

                                                                                                       Snowflake frozen

                                                                                                       Pure heart chosen

                               Holiday kind

                               Jesus find

Love quintessence

Spirit presence

                                                                                                       Incense burning

                                                                                                       Forgiveness yearning

                               Tree delight

                               O! Holy Night

Flickering candle

Stocking mantle

                                                                                                       Father, Mother

                                                                                                       Peace! My brother

                               Sweet pine scent

                               Bright red ornament

Gentle kiss

Eternal bliss

                                                                                                       Golden glow

                                                                                                       Mind ’n Soul

                               Redeemer call

                               Innocent all

Satiated feeling

Soulful healing

                                                                                                       Childlike perceptions

                                                                                                       Cherished reflections

…Memories mine!

Amen!

 

Merry Christmas!