Oktoberfest at Audi dealers 10/2

Good People--Eric, my wine advisor, summer concert sidekick and former employer.
Good Food--the brats and kraut was good for a picnic type event. Paulner-hefeweizen was very good and we tried a pinot nior but I don't remember the vineyard--I'm not a pinot guy but this was very good. Eric was also impressed.
Good Exercise--not much other than walking around looking at very expensive cars. The Prestige Audi/Porche dealership invited Eric for the 7th time because he is a regular customer. We had instruction from Heiti not to bring home a new car, Eric would have bought this car but he wanted a red one.
Great Retirement--we talked to several Audi racing enthusiasts--we all need "something" that is fun! Eric and I think that "something" that required less money would be our "something!"

Things to make us happy!

This web site has some great ideas.

http://superviva.com/blog/2008/09/11/five-more-things-happy-people-do/

Highland Canal Bike Ride 9/29

Good People--Ray and two very nice local women from the area on the trail--they were almost too nice to a couple of strangers, offered us a ride, coffee at their home while one of us waited. I suppose we appeared old and harmless.
Good Food--we had planned to eat at our favorite Mexican food place Los Dos Potrillos but we had a slight problem. Ray had a flat on his bike, we were about 6 miles out on the way back. The throne was the problem and we didn't have a tube to fit his mountain bike tire. I rode back and drove Ray's car back. We ate at Panera's, which is always good. A nice patio on Holly but not as nice as the patio at Aspen Grove.
Good Exercise--18 miles in 1hr, 40 minutes. The trees on the canal have not turned much.
Great Retirement--We missed our buddy Steve. He was taking care of his ill wife--whatta guy.

Tis a blessing to live in colorful Colorado 9/26

We spent the night with Kortney and the graduate. On Sunday we headed home through Rocky Mtn Ntl Pk. Some great color along the way, this is near the entrance where all the elk camp out.

We saw these big boys near the top of Trail Ridge Road.







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The whole family was out! Mom and the other twin were here too. We saw them on the western slope about 4 miles in from Grand Lake.


Some of you know that this critter can be wild and crazy. We captured a pic of her at Grand Lake.

Good People--Norm and Phyl came by for dinner.
Good Food--we tried a new recipe on them--grilled halibut wrapped in panchito ham on a skewer with bread. All of this was drizzled with our Tuscany EVOO. It was very, very good. The ham gave the halibut a slight salty taste. Asparagus baked topped with Parmesan cheese. Norm and Phyl brought with them a bottle of Goats Do Roam, a dig at the French wine with a similar name. It tasted like a bordeaux.
Good Exercise--we walked around Grand Lake, wanted to hike a trail but no dogs allowed on the park trails.
Good Retirement--Norm will join the retirement ranks in late November. 17 more drives to the Federal Center. Life is Good, huh Norm.

Paul did It! 9/27

Good People--Paul finished up his Master's program--way to go!
Good Food--lots of my favorite food, chips, salsa, bean dip, little wienies, cake, cookies (you get the picture). Then on to the Fort Collins Oktoberfest sponsored by Odells Brewery and a couple of Easy Streets and 5 Barrel, then to Lucky Joe's for a couple of Sunshine Wheat (gotta support the local breweries), then on to Besettis Italian restaurant for some good pasta, a bottle of their private label cab and Paul's chocolate cake with a candle. The light was so low they gave us a pen light, Paul really liked it.
Good Exercise--some really fun games, I barely beat Amanda in the Bean Bag Toss.
Good Retirement--someone asked my "What have you been doing?" I said "I have been doing retirement."

Movie, dinner with my fav! 9/26

Good People--Jan! We saw the movie "Bottle Shuffle" at the new Landmark (free popcorn and drink, you can order alcohol there as well and sit in big seats). The movie was pretty good, in the early 70's when California wines were challenging France. Of course, it has a love story to it and guess who wins. The movie is important, we are going to wine country with the Rays in mid October so we plan to visit Chateau Montecello winery (the featured winery).
Good Food--we walked about a block to Slattery's Irish Pub. Very little Irish except for Smidwick beer, band played jazz and not much Irish food, burgers, good salads, good price (regular plate size dinner salad with all you would want in a salad-$3.95), very nice patio with fire pit. For those of you that have gone out with us and know about 14 Hands Cabernet, they have it, so we had to share a bottle. A decent price for the wine and the food was very good. We have tried to buy some of this wine to no avail, it is a Washington winery and only sells to restaurants.
Great Retirement--the band plays on Tuesday and Thursday so we are going back.

Lunch with the guys 9/22

Good People--Dave and Ron are cycle buds and christian friends. Pastor Ron helps me through life with spiritual guidance.
Good Food--we ate at Hacienda Colorado--Ron helped me order what he eats--fajitas, Dave had a burrito. The restaurant is located just east of I-25 and north of the Lincoln exit.
Good Exercise--I did my rec center work out before we ate. So I ate with little guilt.
Good Retirement--It was good to catch up with the guys.