Leaving Moab at 8:30, I knew I would be traveling through Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, full of remarkable scenery. I have been to both parks before and decided to press on to Pagosa Springs. My iPhone, while a mighty creation, has limits when trying to capture these kinds of fantastic natural masterpieces. That’s why I love the watercolor by Janet Buckingham, Delicate Arch. The arch is not far from Moab, Utah.

The skies cleared, and this countryside followed along almost to Pagosa Springs. The color scape also changed from green pines to sage green with occasional bursts of autumnal color, but no snow today.  This picture was taken at about 1300 feet. By day’s end, I would be at 7,000!

So far, my heart seems to have been OK, and while sleepy and tired, that’s completely normal all things considered.

As we approached Monticello, where it had turned wet and very foggy, I was saddened to see four deer beside the road. Three were dead, but one poor creature was crippled but still alive. I can only hope that someone came and put it out of its misery.

I thought about the old adage “curiosity killed the cat.” I wondered why four large deer would venture into the intersection near downtown Monticello. What in the world could have drawn them to do that? Surely not curiosity. But what?

I crossed into Colorado at 10:00. Did a little happy dance seated behind the steering wheel and pressed on. Arrived at Durango at 11:30. We stopped at a park near the river and took a walk. Brandy, always eager for a walk-about, sprang from the car and followed her nose to all the new scents.

We got back in the car and climbed to 6900 feet by the time we got to Bayview. A little further on, we saw Chimney Rock and I knew we were very close. We arrived at my brother Jerry’s and sister-in-law Sally’s home at 1:00.

So nice to see their happy faces. Greet Gibson, their Plott Hound, and feel the warmth and love of my dear family.