Day 9 – June 27, 2019

After taking down the tent, we made the short drive into Grand Junction, Colorado for shopping and lunch.

We tried to eat lunch at Chick-fil-A, but the place was packed. They even had a guy directing traffic. We ended up at a nearby, and empty Del Taco.

The temperature was in the nineties, so we decided to hang around and play another game of Mario Party while soaking in the air conditioning.

I have been carefully studying Ashley’s strategies for dominating Kathy and me at Mario Party. I must say I played magnificently. On the final play of the game I could secure certain victory by rollong an 8 or more using two 10 sided dice. The first die was a 2. OK, I got this. I just need a 6 or more. The second a 5. I couldn’t believe it, one space short.

The game makes some final adjustments to the scores based upon different factors but I was still confident. I had led the entire game. Ashley was close and Kathy was in last throughout.

The game was finally ready to introduce me the champion. I eagerly awaited my crown. Here it comes! And the winner is…. Kathy?

Kathy and Ashley laughed. Ashley celebrated by high-fiving her mom. I sat and shook my head. I feel like Charlie Brown and that darn football. Good grief!

We traveled east on I-70 for about two hours to a Rocky Mountain town called Glenwood Springs. The elevation is around 6,000 feet and the landscape is green and lush.

Kathy found a nice private campground with a view of the surrounding mountains.

After getting set up we drove into town to get dinner.

We found a restaurant called Thor’s Grill. They serve Tex Mex and the food was really good. But here’s the best part. On Thursdays all patrons 50 or over get their meal for 50% off. It is the first time I can ever remember being excited I’m over 50.

We went back to the campground to get ready to go to sleep. The low this evening was 54. So long as it’s above 40, that works for us. Ashley had her pink bunny slippers and Donkers to help keep her warm.

Later at night, the wind picked up causing the tent rock. Ashley was awakened, concerned we were in for another wind storm. She removed her slippers and gloves to be ready to make a run for the van. Thankfully, the wind subsided and she slept the rest of the night peacefully.