Rocky Ford, Colorado - Randy and Kelly

It was so nice to see Randy and Kelly again.

They left Lakeside close to the beginning of April so we had not seen them in awhile. They really put us up nicely and made us feel welcome. It was warm enough that first evening that we could sit outside and enjoy the weather, the yard and the two pooches. That first night they drove us to the neighbouring town of La Junta for a supper out. 

Ken likes to flavour sherry, etc in oak casks. Kelly had liked Ken's sherry in the past. Ken realized that the casks he brought with us full of sherry could be bottled and tested. He presented quite the show, bottling the sherry and giving us testers, too many I am thinking now. It was very tasty.

Kelly and Randy's grand-dogs were adorable. It felt so homey, comfortable and nice to be around such friendly, precious dogs. Nova was bigger and older than Panda. Both loved treats and being part of the gang. 

One morning Randy and Kelly took us to Bent's old Fort National Historic Site. The Fort was located near Rocky Ford, where they live. Nothing like doing touristy events first thing in the morning. Being a history buff the entire Fort experience was exciting.  If you want to know more details about the Fort I did take pictures of the signs for detailed information. This old Fort was built on the border between Mexico and the USA, which at that time was the Arkansas River. Yes, Mexico at one time extended north into what is now Colorado.  The old Santa Fe Trail was just north of the River so the Fort gave respite to weary travelers. There were guides dressed up in period costume along with a few animals - chickens, peacocks, donkey, cats, etc. The Fort was rebuilt in the 1970’s. 

One of the most fascinating stories told to us was of a pictogram spiral painted on an animal skin.   Starting in the middle were the events from the beginning of the year. Moving out from the middle events from the rest of the year were told. Keep in mind that the majority of people living in that era could not read so pictures told the story of events at the Fort. Near the top of the spiral is a person with lines coming out of their mouth. This, we were told, represented a sickness the inhabitants of the Fort contracted - lots of coughing.

Ken was particularity fascinated with the area with a forge. You can see the big bellows on the ceiling of the room to heat up the fire. I like the little touches that made the old Fort seems special like the wooden shutters on the windows or the Kiva fireplaces scattered throughout, and in most rooms.

I, of course,  liked the two cat mascots. The black and white one followed us around once we were payed attention to it.

Back at Rocky Ford Ken and Randy worked at fixing a water pump for the property. Failure on the first try but success on the second try. Ken was very pleased that they actually got the pump working. He remembered all the fun of farm ownership.....ja, ja, ja. 

We so enjoyed our stay and our friends. Randy and one of his son’s were about to be off on their own adventure so we struck off for Pueblo, CO.