Four Days at Sheration Mountain Vista Resort

Avon, Colorado

When we set out from Cheyenne this morning it was a beautiful sunny day. However, by the time we reached Denver and headed west on I-70 dark clouds obscured the mountain tops.

We began to climb, neon signs warned of fog ahead. We climbed higher, up and over the 10,000 foot plus passes, snowflakes began falling. Snowmaking machines were spewing out additional snow at the ski resorts we passed. The mountain tops were obscured.

Suddenly, we dropped down into the Vail Valley, the sky turned a beautiful bright blue and the sun came out of hiding. By the time we arrived in Avon we were well below the snowline.

Our destination, The Sheraton Mountain Vista Resort, in Avon, CO was a surprise. We had received a special invitation to stay earlier in the year. We were assured it was not a ploy to get us to a time-share presentation. When we asked why the special offer we were told it was simply to get us to visit and tell others about the resort. We fell for it.

We received a VIP check-in and were told of all the fine activities in the area, advised of special restaurants and locations were we could receive discounts and about other points of interest. And then the pitch came. If we would go to a presentation we would receive additional bonuses. We declined.

Our unit was very nice with a balcony overlooking the mountains complete with a BBQ grill, a push button fireplace and Jacuzzi. The kitchen didn’t have a stove but the convection microwave served us well. And we availed ourselves of the stacked washer and dryer and spent time at the City Market selecting special treats to enjoy during our stay.

Because we were staying for several days I pulled out my French easel and acrylic paints. The view from our unit was beautiful with the snow covered mountains in the background and the fall colors in the foreground. I thought I would give it a try while Dan worked the stock market on the wireless internet.

We spent one day touring the area via automobile. We visited Beaver Creek Ski Resort and drove along the Eagle River to the nearby town of Edwards. Here we strolled along the Eagle River Valley hiking and biking trail and checked out the quaint shops.

Another day we wandered down to the Eagle River trail from our unit. We stopped to take pictures of the many statues dominating the numerous round-a-bouts.

Along the trail we admired the ski-lifts overhead, colorful trees in their autumn glory and watched the fly fishermen tossing out their lines. Even though our resort had an excellent fitness area complete with several indoor and outdoor hot tubs, I always enjoy walking outdoors.

All to soon, it was time to hit the trail again. Today we head for Moab, UT.

Kicking up our heels in Cheyenne

Cheyenne, WY.

Our first stop after hurriedly leaving Deadwood, SD was Cheyenne, WY. Here we enjoyed a short layover while waiting for the weather to clear before crossing the Rocky Mountains.

Although it was cold, windy and rainy we ventured out discovering the Mall, various restaurants and a movie theater.

Travel Tip: When attending a movie in a mall theater it is better to park near the theater entrance. We made the mistake of parking at another entrance assuming the mall would still be open after our movie. We were wrong. We ended up walking in the cold misty rain completely around the outside of the mall back to our car. We needed the exercise but it sure was cold!

The following morning we spent a short time touring the downtown area, passing the capitol building, a dominant structure on the Cheyenne skyline, in addition to being historically one of the most important buildings in the State, the train depot and rail tower.

We loved each of the eight foot tall cowboy boots that have been carefully painted by local artists to show Wyoming's and Cheyenne's history that are scattered around the area. It's always a treat to discover something new when traveling. Kicking up our heels in Cheyenne.

Deadwood and Turkeys

Deadwood, part 2

Last night we overheard the rumor of an impending winter storm. This morning we awoke to over 2 inches of snow on the ground. The weather report calls for more snow over the weekend. We cancelled our reservations and decided to get out while the roads were still passable.

Our cart was full of suitcases, computer equipment, coffee supplies and our cooler as we left the comfort of our hotel. Across the parking lot the Subaru Outback rental was covered in snow.


Now I know I packed the gloves somewhere, but they were not to be found.

So while looking and feeling a little foolish, I stuck my hand in my green and blue winter boot and began clearing several inches of wet snow from the car. Finally, I was able to see through the windshield and move the car to the protection of the overhang, covering the hotel entrance for loading. Not an easy task, as car is packed with our camping supplies that we have yet to use.

After a quick stop for gas, which surprisingly had gone down in price to below $3.00, we cautiously headed out through the Black Hills south on Hwy 85 bound for Cheyenne, WO.

The roads were wet and sandy but not covered in snow. The snow piles along the roadside indicated a plow had passed recently. There were only a few flurries in the air as we wound our way through the gulches, along the river and up over the passes. The pines trees were weighted down with heavy snow and occasionally as the temperature rose; snow fell in front of us from the power lines that crossed over the roadway.

The winter scenery was spectacular. Snow covered mountains, bare bluffs, green pine trees heavy with snow surrounded by the bright yellow of aspens and cottonwoods still showing their fall colors and tall, golden grass sticking up through the white snow. It made it worth the rush of packing up and hitting the road earlier than planned.

We were traveling through a peaceful snow covered valley when I noticed something odd. Over near the tree line were many black objects that stood out from the white background.

“Tree stumps”, I thought at first glance. Then it dawned on me that they were moving. With the fanning of a large tail, I was able to identify a large flock of turkeys. I turned to Dan exclaiming in surprise, “There’s a flock of turkeys in that field”!

Up ahead of us the road climbed and turned sharply to the right. Just as I spoke, another flock of large turkeys decided to waddle across the road. Suddenly, a car rounded the curve; the turkeys took flight scattering in every direction. The panic stricken birds flew directly across the road in front of the car heading for the safety of the shoulder.


I can't imagine what the driver thought as he was suddenly in the midst of the flock flying at windshield height. One large fat bird frantically flapping it's wings could not get enough lift or speed to avoid the car's grill. It was hit and went tumbling to the side of the road. The driver apparently unfazed continued traveling down the road. He was past us before we could fully take in the scene.


That was our first experience with a hit and run. You just never know what to expect around the next curve. Happy travels.

The Texas Eagle

Ugh, the cell phone alarm just chimed. It’s 5 am in San Antonio, Texas. Time to grind the coffee beans and select what I need from my suitcase. This morning is rare. We seldom wake up before sunrise but today we have a 7 AM train to catch.

Yesterday, we struggled to stuff our sleeping bags, tent, grill, and other assorted camping items into two additional suitcases. Our daughter has been storing these items in her attic since the first of the year.

We also will have an additional carry on item – one of those picnic backpacks with our wine glasses, cheese board and place settings for four plus tablecloth and special spices for outdoor cooking. (More about our camping plans later).

We carefully checked the weight of each bag by standing on a bathroom scale and holding the bag. The magic number is 50 lbs. It is oh so embarrassing to have to repack at the baggage check in counter in order to conform to the baggage weight limits!

So, what do we have? Two suitcases with clothes and two suitcases containing camping gear to check, one picnic backpack, one computer bag, one printer bag, one snack bag, my handbag and two stadium blankets to carry on. Included in the carry on bags are our toilet items, a change of clothes, books, crossword puzzles and cards.

While I sipped my coffee and finished dressing the guys loaded up the pickup for the short trip to the station. We arrived at the appointed hour, unloaded the luggage, picked up our tickets, checked four of the bags and then waited to board the Texas Eagle bound for Chicago.

The city of San Antonio is served by a limited facility station with a ticket counter, baggage check in, vending machines, coffee, restrooms and a small waiting area. When boarding was announced we proceeded outside. The temperature was just right as we stood waiting for the conductor to collect our tickets and assign our coach seats.

I held my breath as I watched the luggage being transported to the baggage car via two long wooden trailers attached to a small tractor. One large black suitcase teetered precariously among the assorted bags, boxes and containers threatening to escape as it bumped along the track on its short journey. I prayed it wasn’t one of ours!

And then it was time to go. The conductor, dressed in his white shirt, blue coat and standard flat-billed hat collected the coach tickets, issued orange seating tags and called “all aboard”.

We were second to board the super liner car and proceed up the stairs, as directed. The coach was empty so we selected our seats, stored our carry on bags in the overhead storage area, slipped the seating tags under the metal band with the seat numbers to reserve our seats and settled in.

There was no need to search for a seat that had access to an electric plug as this car has one for seat. Yes, we can use the computer and charge the phones. Next we checked the overhead lights. Occasionally, the lights don’t function and I like to read. With all those items addressed it’s time to settle in and enjoy the trip. We were treated to a beautiful sunrise as we departed the station aboard the Texas Eagle bound for Chicago.

Oops. We neglected to test the foot/leg rests under our seats. Much to our dismay we discovered one of them would not stay in position making sleep difficult that evening. We learn something new each time we travel by train.

Traveling North by Northwest via AmTrak

Our taxi arrived just as we handed over the keys to our Seagate cottage, ending a wonderful two month stay. Our next adventure was about to begin aboard the Silver Meteor.

The trip to the Jacksonville, FL Amtrak station went by quickly as we discussed the virtues of the Navy verses the Air Force with our part-time driver, a former marine engineer. Upon arrival at the station we proceeded to check in our bags. Then we sat down to wait...the train was two hours behind schedule and we had arrived two hours early. Our next destination? Chicago and beyond via Washington, DC.

Four hours later the Silver Meteor rolled quietly into the station. The uniformed conductor directed us to the proper car and assigned our seats. There were many surprises...as this was our first train ride in the US. Our comfortable coach class, recliner seats resembled those on a airliner, except there was lots of room between rows and the windows were much larger. Each seat had its own light, a tray table and adjustable foot rests.

Every attempt was made to seat travelers by destination, eliminating excess traffic and noise in the aisles. However, occasionally as a stop approached, a parade of smokers would follow the conductor as he went to assist arriving and departing passengers. Smoking is not permitted on the train, but is allowed on the platform at the various stops.

By the time we departed the Jacksonville area we were anxious to eat, so we headed to the dining car, after being reassured by fellow travelers that our carryon bags would be safe.

The dining car is only open during certain hours. Dining is organized by reservation times (usually every ½ hour) since it only contains a certain number of tables. We were seated with a very interesting couple from Grand Marais, MN. After making our dining selections, we learned they were retired teachers and regularly traveled through our area of the UP. We had lots to talk about. The food was kind of disappointing, more like airline food as opposed to fine dining but adequate. The bottle of wine we shared made things go down easily.

We returned to our seats, raised the foot rests, reclined the seats and dozed off, ignoring the call to happy hour taking place in the lounge/cafe car. We were provided with small pillows and carried our own stadium blankets. The ride was less jerky than expected, in fact it was very smooth, considering we stopped often throughout the night.

Daylight found us coasting through Quantico Marine Base along the Potomac River and into Washington, DC with a wonderful view of the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial and the cherry blossoms. We rounded the Capitol building and drifted into Union Station in time for breakfast.

We had most of the day for sightseeing before transferring to the Capitol Limited, a super liner headed for Chicago. We were meet by relatives and headed out to the Corner Bakery, in the National Press Building on 14th street for breakfast. (The building houses the National Press Club where four generations of American and foreign journalists as well as the most influential newsmakers, including 17 US Presidents, have been or are members - located on 13th floor...)

Then it was on to mass at the Holy Rosary Church on Third Street, conducted entirely in Italian. No, we do not speak the language but we always enjoy a new experience. (They were visiting the church because their daughter is going to be a flower girl for a wedding that is to take place there).

This was followed by a personal tour of the local Univision TV Station, a leading spanish language media company in the US. We sat at the anchor desk, presented the weather in front of the green screen and examined the behind the scenes equipment.

We have visited Washington, DC many times so were not disappointed that we only had short glimpses of the Capitol, the Mall and other important buildings before returning to Union Station. We had intended to walk to the National Art Gallery but were short on time...as was pointed out to us by our friends from MN that we fortunately ran into in front of the station. They too were catching the Capitol Limited to Chicago.

This time we boarded a super liner, with a sightseeing lounge, dining car, upper and lower seating and on time departure. We were in the upper coach seats with a wonderful view of the city as we departed. We proceeded along a river, with a hiking trail along its banks then slowly chugged up into the mountains. The setting sun was beautiful and illuminated the wildlife: wild turkeys, deer and pheasants as well as domestic livestock. We enjoyed the mountian view until it was to dark to see the passing vista.

The following morning we sipped our coffee as we rolled passed a casino, White Sox stadium and admired the city skyline dominated by the Sear’s tower before backing into Union Station in Chicago. Our train travel was completed for this segment of the journey.

Beware...the luggage weight limit is strictly enforced on Amtrak. Our baggage handler in Jacksonville assured us that an extra pound would not be a problem as he checked our two suitcases through to Chicago. However, upon arrival in Chicago my suitcase containing all my travel clothes and my new gown for our upcoming cruise was not, I repeat not, on the turnstile...I was ready to have a panic attack! However, after a phone call downstairs the bag arrive with a special ticket announcing it was overweight! We quickly removed the ticket and hurried out.

As we left the baggage claim we ran into our friends from the dining car. They were traveling on to MN after spending the day visit museums in the city. We shared our travel experiences for a short time, then handed them a math problem to puzzle over (math major to math major), before picking up our rental car in the station parking lot and heading north via Wisconsin to the UP.

We can’t wait for our next train adventure. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to travel if you have the time. Have you traveled over night on Amtrak?

Find It and Move On

It's time to move on...we had a wonderful, relaxing two month "mini-retirement" at our Seagate Cottage vacation rental that we found in Neptune Beach, Fl.

How did we find it? By following the advice in the book "The 4-Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss. We flew in to Jacksonville, FL spent time exploring the beaches, settled on an area, searched Google for local vacation rental listings, checked them out and ultimately found the perfect spot for us on CriagsList.

The only thing we would do differently next time is to allow more time for the search. We allowed a week but it actually took two...not that it mattered as we had plenty of uncommitted time in front of us.

Our experiment in living without a car worked well (going green was not a calculated act). We discovered we really liked the challenge. We walked, rode the local bus and used the bikes for excursions and shopping. We got back in shape by exercising and walking at least an hour or more each day. And there was still plenty of time to read, write, compute, paint and dream.

Now, it's time to pack and set out on our next PTA (Plane, Train, Automobile) adventure. Come along with us as we set out on AmTrak, riding the rails north by northwest.