I Hate Good-byes!

Linda, Stan, Nina at condo

Stan and Nina left late this morning. It's tough to say "good-bye" with a slight lump in one's throat. They said they had a great time; I know we did. Visiting with them was great for us. It was nice to get caught up on their doings as well as their kids' stuff--sorry M. and A. They did tell all! Don't snicker, Bryan, Chris, Melanie; we reciprocated. Just kidding, you know.

While they were here, we took them to a couple of our favorite eating places, The Smiling Elk (oh, the many steps!) and Dunraven Downtown (Italian). It sounded like we made two good choices. Also, on their first evening, we went downtown and walked part of the riverwalk. I have to admit that I was the one who needed to stop now and then to check out one of the many benches along the way. You remember, dear readers, that I have this constant companion, "Arthur Itis", who makes his presence really felt if I walk far or fast. After a stop at Our-ice-cream-machine-is-broken-McDonald's, we paid a higher price for a DQ cone and headed home.

There is a wonderful paved walking/biking track around Lake Estes (3.7 miles), so Stan & Nina walked that on Tuesday morning. After lunch at the "Elk",

we came back home for Bill to work and me to rest, while they shopped Estes Park. At 3:00 we met them at Riverside Plaza where we all enjoyed a brass band performance (5 members), the breeze, and the rushing river close by.

The brass band

Nina, Bill, (me), Stan are relaxing at Riverside Plaza while listening to a brass band and the rushing river behind us. What a neat thing!

After another round of shopping (Really, Nina, I thought you were not a shopper!), we all met at the Italian place for supper. Afterwards, THEY FINISHED THEIR SHOPPING!! Bill and I were settled in front of the Olympic games on TV when Stan and Nina returned with dessert--a chocolate swirl cheesecake. It was a small one so we quartered it. I ate my whole portion and was up in the night when my stomach complained about such a RICH dessert being dumped into it. Sure was good going down!