This greyhound was Delta bound

I found out the Palisade Lavender Festival was this weekend. Mom, Dad and I went last year when I lived in Montrose and it was a delightful time. I have been wanting to get to the Western Slope again, and thought this would be the perfect weekend. I texted some friends, who would be around to meet up here and there during my short time on the other slope. I decided it was time for Rene and I to see if we can spend more than an overnight together on a little trip.

Friday we left before 8am to get to Delta by 1pm and visit my previous co-workers at the Delta office. I was listening to a CD from 2005 with KBCO songs on it and as we were driving to Delta Marc Broussard's "Home" came on. "This Greyhound is Delta Bound.." Of course, he was alluding to New Orleans, but it was quite serendipitous fun.

We got to Delta and saw some really great people at the hospice. We spent about an hour there, and Rene tolerated everyone gushing over how beautiful she is pretty well. After an hour of catching up, I headed to Grand Junction to check into the dog friendly hotel I chose, not far from Palisade and a place I have stayed before so I know the creature comforts. Rene found her place comfortably on the couch in the hotel. My friend Beth who lives in GJ picked up some food to go and came to the hotel. She is getting married in August and so it was fun to hear how the plans are going. She and her beau are marrying in Denver, so I get to see her execute all the plans she told me about. Later, we got to see that beautiful Western sky from the windows before Beth had to get home to her sister coming to town. Rene and I woke up early this morning and walked Main Street, something early in the morning seems to be more pleasant with a cool breeze and window shopping than in the hot sun with all the people.

We went to the lavender festival around 9am and I wasn't prepared for all the attention my beautiful girl would get. We were approached from every direction, people wanting to pet her and find out more about greyhounds. I don't know why I thought we could slide under the radar, but look at that face! How could you not want to pet and kiss it?

My friend Jenny who works at the Grand Junction hospice office met us there. We kind of hurried through, as Rene was not really all that comfortable in the crowd. Well, let's just say she was downright miserable. People crowded her on all sides, and at one point she tried to jump up on a table. Thankfully, it wasn't full of expensive lavender goods, but it was the nonverbal communication I needed to get my girl to quieter ground.

Jenny and I found a little spot outside of the festival where we could talk. She is a hospice social worker and went to DU. She is one of those souls who is just unconditionally loving. I hurried our get together and felt like I was acting manic and she just calmly sat there and supported me. Can't you sense her calm nature in her sweet smile?

Rene was pretty much done with it all so we said goodbye to Jenny and headed East. We did stop at an adorable farm stand and got a view of the peach trees in bloom.

I planned for Rene and I to stay in Carbondale because I love the Roaring Fork Valley. We drove to Glenwood and then to Carbondale. We stopped along the way for potty breaks and "eating on the road."

Hotel check-in wasn't until 4pm so we drove around. We went to a park in El Jebel where I captured this relaxing video of the wind blowing through the wildflowers at the park.

We also drove over to Redstone, but I didn't stop for us to get out. Rene had been so overwhelmed during the day I just was happy to "be in" Redstone and feel the artsy fun vibe. I love so much about the Carbondale area, especially the rich landscape and the small houses with fun porches.

We stopped at another walking trail before we could check into the hotel. Rene was kind of over it. Come on Mom!

Now we are all checked into our hotel, and actually tucked away for the night. It was a long day, and Rene had pushed her comfort zones so many times today I am respecting her need to be her own introverted self for the night. But, Shhhh….I don't think this is proper hotel protocol (how will I explain one adult used both queen beds?) but for the moment, my girl is content.