Thanksgiving dinner

We were joined on Thanksgiving by Dan and Denise as well as Dana, who was celebrating her first Thanksgiving in the U.S.

Thanksgiving

The Bangerts came to Washington for Thanksgiving. Jim and his mom were able to make the magic happen even in our tiny kitchen.

Kellee in Nights at Saint Januarius

I hope Kellee wins a Fringe Festival Award for best Non-speaking Role!

Farmers and Nelsons at Copper Mountain

The Farmer/Nelson Clan got together at a condo in Copper Mountain for a few days - great time.

One day we took the ski lift up the mountain and went for the short hike at over 11,000 feet. I enjoyed the scenery and then enjoyed watching Kale hike up several hundred feet of boulders - see second picture.

Kellee loves the old West in Durango!

Kellee had fond memories of taking the Durango-Silverton train on a family vacation twenty-five years ago, so we took the train. It was fantastic. We were in a first class car at the end of the train and we a table at the back of the car. Kellee had the best seat on the whole train! The scenery heading up to Silverton, which sits at the tree line, was incredible.

We also went to an old West comedy show and play. Not good. But when your 1880 era hotel has the show - you go for the experience. No regrets, especially since we still had plenty of time to hit the brewpubs in Durango.

A couple more pictures of the Durango-Silverton Train.

Mesa Verde National Park

The settlements at Mesa Verde National Park are quite amazing. Our pictures do not do the buildings or the scenery justice - so google Mesa Verde and I am sure you will see some cool pictures.

We spent a couple nights in the park exploring different old Indian settlements and enjoying the long, beautiful sunsets. At 7,5000 feet with dry air, the colors are fantastic; I now understand why paintings from the Southwest use certain colors/shades. We even saw a bear - at a distance; deer and long feral horses up close.