the aftermath

things went much better then expected with the insurance company and now we are in the waiting game. Waiting to sign some papers, waiting for the old loan to clear, waiting for the remainder from the insurance money. We started car shopping online... we are leaning heavily towards a Subaru but it's hard to say what we will really end up with. We want a safe, reliable, low mileage mode of transport that is comfortable for more then 2 people and many dogs. It must be good for long drives and in all weather. We also don't want a crazy payment. I've now looked at everything from Honda Elements to Toyota Highlanders to Subaru Forester's. It's hard to play this game online and see what will really work for us. The closest car dealer is an hour away but there isn't much point in going until the waiting game is over with the insurance company.

We took yesterday off from all the stress and booked hour long massages for each of us at one of the locals spas. We were able to relax in the pool, hot tub and steam room during the day and enjoy an hour of de-stressing. Dave's masseuse was very gentle but helped to stretch out his sore back muscles. It helped him alot and today he is puttering around the house instead of resuming his spot on the couch where he has been all week.

ode to the tacoma

the tacoma had a good life... we spent almost 40,000 miles together and traveled from maine to colorado twice with it. Chaos had his favorite spots and spent lots of time with his head on the armrest or trying to sit in our laps to look out the window.
now we have to redefine what camp chaos should drive... another subaru, an suv or something else? I don't think we will do another truck. We want something that is good in the snow, great over mountains, comfortable, roomy, lots of cargo space and a comfortable spots for Chaos and his friends. Any suggestions?

A really bad case of the Mondays

So it was a rough Monday Dave got up before 4am to take Gary to the airport and run errands for work and on the way home fell asleep at the wheel. Dave has a case of whiplash and one scratch but walked away. Its one heck of a phone call to deal with at 8am on a Monday morning. The tacoma didn't fare as well as Dave and is totaled. That's ok because tacomas are easier to find then a good Dave. Plus telluride is an easy town to go carless in for a while- good thing we stocked up on dog food last week!
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Blues & brews with good times

Its one of our favourite festivals this weekend and we get to spend it with our telluride folks and Gary. Gary flew out from mass to hang out and enjoy the festival with us. We are looking forward to a weekend with good beers, good times and good people. Happy Friday! Telluride has perfect weather sunny with a cool wind a d snow capped peaks around us.
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rainy camping and film festival

the labor day weekend has been home to the telluride film festival for the last 35 years. we hit one of the films at the festival and also camped out with a group of friends. Chaos even got to bring his friend Budo along for the fun. The afternoon sky was hard to read and we all decided to go despite the dark clouds above. We made our way to the same spot as the week before but with a bigger crowed.

This weekend we had 8 people and 2 monsters for a night in the woods. We had a great night and the rain held off until 2am at which point we (mostly) agreed that it was time for bed. Chaos was still ready for more action. He loves being around people and Alissa was on tail patrol to ensure chaos kept his long fur out of the fire and we were all on guard to ensure Chaos and Budo stayed away from our marshmallows. We did let them lick the plates to help keep scents down for the active bear population. Although I am sure chaos would warn us before a bear swiped through our tent wall to get to us and our smells of squeeze cheese, potatoes, hot dogs, chocolate and graham crackers.

Scott and Alissa even brought a glow in the dark frisbee for some entertainment. We found other fun too like chopping up the old downed trees for additional fuel for our campfire and making smores. The next morning I got up early and took the dogs for a walk in the rain. Chaos had slept with us and Budo had snuggled with Jared and Jess and Chaos definitely woke them when we grabbed Budo that morning! The monsters plodded along the road not noticing two elk 20 feet away from them. After the walk and some breakfast the soggy monsters help to wake up the seven other campers by pushing tents. Dave and Maggie even ended up with a small lake we dubbed "lake daggie" at one end of their tent. We all broke camp down quickly and made way to the blue jay for a warm breakfast.

Sunday we managed to get 10 of us all together for American Violet which premiered at the festival. It was stunning movie about drugs, corrupt politics and race in Texas. I wish I could tell you it will be in theaters soon but that's still unknown. The movie is based a true story and the family it was based on was in Telluride as were the director, producer and some of the actors including Will Patton who played the coach in Remember the Titans. It reminded me of that and also of a John Grisham flick with the suspense and legal drama.

Dog sitting

We are dog sitting again and chaos is loving being with his friends and has even made friends with a kitty. Obie kitty is very different from mu-nee kitty and isn't grumpy at dogs. Obie even cuddles with chaos. Budo gives my monster nighttime kisses. It is all very sweet.
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