Creede, Colorado

We arrived in Creede to sunshine and frigid, below zero temperatures. Nevertheless, we had to get outside to enjoy the tiny town's rustic charm and unique mountain features.

The requisite pic in front of Creede Repertory Theatre. Cold but happy.

The rock outcroppings remind visitors of Creede's history as a silver mining town.

Never seen anything like the local fire department, built into the rocky side of the mountain. 

Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT), next door to the Creede Hotel, has its mainstage theatre in an old movie theatre, originally built in the 1930s to entertain local miners. It was transformed into a theatre in 1966, and has since built a modern black box space a few doors down on Main Street.

Wolf Creek Pass

Winter wonderland driving over the Continental Divide from Durango to Creede over Wolf Creek Pass, elevation 10,856 ft.

Place Research: Delores, Colorado

The reason we drove all this way in winter was to participate in the National Winter Playwrights' Retreat in Creede, Colorado, and to research the history and culture of the Four Corners area for my play ALBERT PORTER: BOY EXPLORER, which will tour the five-state region with Creede Repertory this fall. Here are some highlights of our research trip to Cortez, Colorado:

Here I am interviewing Crow Canyon Archeological Center Director of Archeology Susan Ryan, PhD. Susan was the lead researcher on the excavation of the Albert Porter Pueblo.

Susan explains the Crow Canyon display on atlatls.

In the curatorial room, we learned about Crow Canyon's project to grow various kinds of corn in much the same way as ancient people have been doing in this area for close to 2,000 years.

Susan describes using a bow drill to start a fire.

Corrugated pottery that contains fingerprints of its ancient maker.

Manos and metate, used for grinding corn into flour.

Sandal made from yucca leaves.

Driving from Utah to Colorado

After three days of being "stuck" in Provo Valley because of snow and high winds, the skies cleared long enough for us to hit the road again, en route to Colorado. Pretty drive through mountains, high desert, and plateaus in the new Suburu Forester. She's finally got the requisite amount of mud on her!

Utah: Winter 2017

Back in one of our favorite places with more new photos. Other than skiing, this may be our first extended trip here in the snow.

Wild turkeys in the trees.

 It was a blizzard outside, 

but inside, we relaxed and read, watched movies 

and played with the house cat, Tuna.

Feel the Love Tour 2016

A revisiting of some of our favorite Southwestern haunts, including a few of the places that have been significant in our 20-plus years together. Starting out with a star-filled night on the banks of the Virgin River, about 40 minutes south of St. George, Utah, in the northwestern corner of Arizona:

We spent the next day hiking Zion National Park, which never disappoints. These pix are from our hike up to the Emerald Pools.

Our drive out of Zion yielded a special treat as we yielded to these locals:

Next stop: Demotte Campground on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, where we set up camp with our friends, Randy and Patrick. At 8,000 feet, it was cold and stormy, but we shared great dinners, lively conversation and, of course, a campfire to keep warm.

Here's our constant travel companion, who minds the "tuna can" when we're away.

Despite the inclement weather, we got in two days of hiking, sightseeing and fun times with good friends. These pix were taken near Grand Canyon Lodge, right before the clouds rolled in and drenched everyone with raindrops that were fittingly grand. We had no choice but to shelter in the saloon, 'natch.

When a really big storm hit late that night, it battered our tiny teardrop with heavy rain and wind and knocked over the big green tent that we used for shelter. By morning, we all agreed it was time to head south to warmer and sunnier locales (and a hotel in Flagstaff). Here's a javelina we encountered at a rest stop just south of the city:

The sun returned in Sedona, where we spent a glorious morning hiking Brin's Mesa.

In the afternoon, we visited the vortex at Bell's Rock, where the sun set on yet another magnificent road trip.

We're so blessed to have such wonderful adventures in the teardrop, with friends, and mostly, with each other after all these years together. Feel the love, indeed.