Grandkids Backpacking

 My oldest granddaughter, age 8, asked her parents for an overnight backpack trip this year. Her mom made it happen! Wilma and I raised the granddaughter's mom and uncle in a camping family, which included a backpack trip when they were teenagers. I'm very pleased that it's trickling down to their kids. Her mom explored the Internet and found a respectable youth backpack. Little sis said "Me Too" but, for her, a day pack was big enough. In a millisecond I decided it was worth the drive to be there, too. I scheduled my visit with Liz so I could swing by Colorado on my way home. 

We found a mile+ trail up to a small lake at 10, 480' not far from their northern Colorado home. The trail was an old National Forest Service access road, so navigation was easy. Uphill all the way but it was worth it.

With kids, everything is a crap shoot. However, the odds were with us. The youngest had a melt down on the way up but recovered. From then on they had a blast! Their mom and dad were basically the outfitters that made sure tents were put up and everyone was fed and watered. We introduced them to backcountry camp protocol. After supper we hung a our bear bag with their help. Clean camp. Leave No Trace. Etc.  

I was first up. After a while I hear some giggling, followed by to cheery granddaughters running out to see me. Mom and dad took a while longer, lingering in a short reprieve. The girls and I sat by the lake and watched the sun rise higher in the sky behind the mountain ridge. Then they helped me retrieve the bear bag and start hot water for breakfast. They are completely at home in the woods. Makes a grandpa proud!

To Moab!

 Time to visit Liz in Moab for the first time. I decide to drive (I like to drive) the 900+ miles.

She runs a ceramics studio there and teaches the artform. She has plenty of workspace and equipment but my eyes are drawn to the water dispenser, plants and window. Those with a membership have access to Open Studio time, so I get to meet some of her 'people'. They've created a neat little community there of similar souls that I like.

After seeing some of the sights we go to Back and Beyond bookstore. This is a neat independent bookstore that even delves into collectible books and maps, etc.  They have one of Edward Abbey's working desk with a working draft of Desert Solitaire.

In some spare time (Liz needs to be at her shop) I find a small climbing gym. It's mostly for bouldering but they do have a top-rope wall. Since I have nobody to belay me, I use their vertical treadmill (there's a real word for it but I don't know what that is). Ground floor has a couple tables to sit and chill. Vending machines with cool drinks, or they have coffee. 

So many coffee shops! (See later post for a list) I really like Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro. Plenty of room for indoor seating and a view to the east with large windows. A mom and pop shop that's personable.

Here's my list of coffee shops (yes, I'm addicted!). The Gonzo Inn has a small café with outdoor seating. I loved the gecko in their sign, so I had to sketch it, until I ran out of fountain pen ink. Switched to fiberpoint pen. The Moab Garage Company is laid out nicely. They even have an espresso drink that uses some ice cream. I try later to return and try it but failed to hit their open hours. Some coffee shops close too early for my yearnings.

Ahhh, on to Arches National Park! We did a driving tour, but when I had some spare time, I came back to sketch. The iconic Balanced Rock. Then on the the Window Arches. I started to sketch the La Sal Mountain profile. It's distinctive and to the southeast of Moab, Arches NP and Canyonland NP. It's functional to get your bearings. However, my sketching of it had spacing problems. The next sketch finally comes close.

On the fourth try I'm happy with my mountain range profile. The scree fall-off is unique on the south end of the range.

The Moab Music Festival happened to be going on for my visit! For over a week, every night is a musical event or music-related event. This particular night would be at this building.

We got up early to hike out to Delicate Arch. This is the iconic arch used in most publicity material. The raven was there, too. They know more than what they speak. I also listed all the activities the Liz put together for me. She would tell me the options to choose from and we kept it flexible. I was here for just over two weeks. I'll be back.

This is my favorite sketch of this trip! We were driving through Canyondland N.P. and I loved this overview of the Green River. All the white land is the same geological layer. Then erosion happens. I fell in love with the sketch potential! So, again, when I had some free time I drove out to be absorbed by it. I caught it just before sundown. These places are always vast and quiet so I have a fond memory of my time there. 

The crack down the middle of my sketchbook is what happens when a 7000 lb SUV drives over my sketchbook. My fault. Could be worse. The artwork is fine, not like it got wet or I lost it. My granddaughters were concerned but I told them it was fine (damage was done on a later visit to see family). Lesson learned: When getting ready for a hike, do NOT put your water bottle and sketchbook on top of the vehicle's tire. 

I was lucky on this trip to have a nice amount of sketch time. Liz is understanding, since she is a creative, too. Some trips just don't allow the time. This trip was top shelf!

Sketch Workshop Sketchout

 I spent a week at a workshop for watercolor sketching. This was at the Madeline Island School of the Arts. We had four instructors from overseas, all specializing in mobile watercolor sketching/painting. This is my third class at MISA. I just love it there! It's a short ferry hop from Bayfield, WI. On the Thursday night of our week-long workshop the instructors suggested a sketchout at a local pub. 

This is my first totally watercolor journal entry. My "standard" is watercolor pencils. I wanted this workshop because it would push me to try watercolors. I've taken a couple on-line classes in watercolor, which got me started. It also required me to buy a lot of tubes of paint. However, can one really own too many art supplies? Not. It felt great to finally start using them. Much to learn but I'm on my way.

Fountain pen, watercolors, enhanced with colored pencils. 

Amtrak to see Beth

 In late April I took an Amtrak train to visit a long time friend in Arizona. About a 24 hour ride. Beth and I were working at the same company 40 years ago. She moved to Arizona for a job and we've stayed in touch. Wilma and I visited four years ago and it was time to visit again. This time its just me.

Wilma and I had traveled in Coach before. This time I paid more to try out a Roomette. Pricey but more creature comforts and the food in the Dining Car comes with it. I found that the ability to lie flat helps sleeping a lot. 

Beth lives in Prescott. We'd start the mornings with coffee on her deck with a view. I love the dry air (as compared to Kansas). She drove me around to see the sights. That included coffee houses and a tap house. They had a bluegrass festival that weekend, too. Then on to Sedona. I wanted to see what everyone seems to know and like about that part of Arizona. 

The train has a stop in Albuquerque, both coming and going. The train refuels and takes care of other logistics. I sketched and almost missed the re-board call on the return trip.

This page shows some trip logistics. This is my fourth overnight Amtrak trip but the first one I shaved on. I wanted to see how hard it was to use a razor on a moving train. It's hard to sketch on the train so I thought it would be tough to shave, but it was fine.

I met a few interesting people, too. Dining room talk is always a good mixer. On my return, my Kansas City stop was scheduled for about 7 a.m.  I went down for breakfast and met Liz. It proved to be my lucky day. We talked until the staff kicked us out to end serving breakfast. We've been staying in touch ever since. 

Pick Only One (Really?)

 I recently downsized my 27' RV trailer to an 18' RV trailer. It's just me now and the old RV just had too many memories. Much less storage! I can't have ALL my coffee making methods on board. So . . . which one should I pick?! I can rule out the drip maker because it's just too large. I like the sentimental value of the percolator, but the French press is so darn simple, but it doesn't keep things warm. I just don't know.

Fountain pen, watercolor pencils and water brush. 

Coffeehouse Discovery

 I'm always on the lookout for new coffee shops, and I love to travel. Therefore, I combine these two interests and revel when I succeed. On a drive to son Brian's place I spied a food option listing sign on I-70 that mentioned a Casey Coffee Company. Casey, IL is JUST off of I-70. Always room for coffee, so I stopped. It's a little town of  2376 but one that is big into self promotion in a neat way without being overbearing. They have a whole list of "worlds largest" features to see. This just calls out for sketching. 

I fell in love with the world's largest mailbox. They built this thing so you can walk up the stairs and look down at Main Street from the front edge! And this thing was in view of a window seat at Casey Coffee. So I ordered a coffee and sketched. I sketched it too large just because I was too engaged with it. That happens to me.

The coffee shop is great! On my return trip I stopped for breakfast (oatmeal, choose your toppings). I'll be back.

Fountain pen, watercolor pencil with waterbrush. 

LBL Homeplace, Revisit

 I camp at Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky a couple times a year. I always visit The Homeplace where staff interpret the history of the area. I've sketched the main house a couple times already and posted them. This is the second house. It's a "single pen" and is smaller. It was an overcast and misty day but I found a dry spot under the eves of the woodshop. Talked to a couple history interpreters and had a relaxing time sketching.

Fountain pen, watercolor pencils and waterbrush. I'm still exploring use of a wash I mix in an empty half pan. I'm touching my toe into the world of watercolor painting.