[From Kathy] Thank goodness for the rest days interspersed between all the hiking and driving to do the sightseeing! I really need the down days when we don’t have to be anywhere, or we just drive a little to see the small towns nearby. I am so curious about the people that choose to live in these really small towns. I can’t imagine it. Why do they stay?
Today we just relaxed. In the morning looking out the window it is like being in a painting. The ranch across from us has about 40 cows, 10 calves, and one horse. The bucolic scene of the cows grazing on the lush, green grass against the hills of red earth, grey hillside rocks, and then forest of trees at the top is just incredible. The cows are totally used to people and graze right around the wire fence that separates the RV park. In the evening you see the calves playing and running around chasing each other and almost frolicking!! It is crazy to be able to walk right up close with the dogs. They are all black except two cream-colored ones. Even the horse is black! Bill doesn’t understand my obsession with them. He worked on a farm growing up in New Jersey and took care of cows. They are just so interesting to watch and to be able to be so close you could pet them!
The green, lush grass here has been a blessing. The dogs absolutely love it, and there is not a sticker in sight!!!! They water continuously with little sprinklers on the end of hoses and someone moves them every several hours. Have no idea why they don’t have in-ground sprinklers. I guess water is cheaper here too.
The other reason we need the day off is to clean and do laundry. There is even time for a nap if we need it, how crazy is that!!! All the walking at this elevation really poops you out. Well, we are off to Mesa Verde tomorrow to see the cliff dwellings there!