July summary

 

It's been a number of weeks since I've posted so this is really a kind of monthly summary. Every summer is different here with its own unique ebbs and flow. This year included smoky skies from many wildfires across the state, much longer than expected recovery from the nasty virus we picked up in Portugal, and shortened blooming season of our beloved wildflowers (drought year).We are about to have loads of company to fill up our last weeks in Colorado. How can it be mid August I ask?

Wonderful July visit with Paul and Sherry. Thank goodness they stayed long enough to enjoy lots of fishing and get out and about. Even Calvin, Krissy, and little Henry were able to come for a few days  and we celebrated the 4th in proper fashion. Henry is just the happiest of toddlers and pretty darn cute as you can see. 

CB farmer's market - still wildly popular

Invited our good friends Steve and Kim over for one of our all time special meals - Shrimp Paesano- while Paul and Sherry were still here. This lemony buttery batter topped shrimp and pasta recipe is very old now - from our San Antonio days in the early 80's. A great story that involves a still existent Italian restaurant, acrimonious divorce, and release of  a closely held recipe in the emotionally heated aforesaid divorce. Still astonishing good and not good for you - for special occasions only.

Lots of deer with bucks snoozing under our deck every afternoon. A fun treat.

The cattle are still around, for how many more weeks we're not sure. This being a drought year the grasses are not as thick as past years so our rancher may pull them out early. It's a rough business, cattle ranching, and getting harder all the time. We (our community) get all the benefit in reduced taxes and none of the worry.

I took a 6 week pottery class with Kim which is now completed. Can't say either one of us became master potters or even reasonable ones but it was a fun experience. Have not picked up our finished misshapen pots yet. Perhaps I'll share a photo but not promising...

Portugal Part 2

 

Aveiro

Second week was absolutely terrific and totally different than our first week. We extended the trip with our friends Don and Roxanne to see other parts of Portugal. We had drivers and tour guides all along a route that took us to various cities up to northern Portugal. Spectacular scenery everywhere.

we happened to peek into a church while a 50th wedding anniversary ceremony was going on

more of the many kinds of egg pastries that are everywhere

ribbons for love - pretty and less destructive than locks, etc. that are in other countries

First stop Aveiro - known as the Portugal Venice. Stunning tiled buildings everywhere in between the canals. The Moors brought tile making to the area in the 15th century. 

The old fashioned elevator - the bellman opened the door most of the time

Next up was Porto. Ancient city originating in the 1st century BC. It's super busy these days as it is Portugal's second largest city. We stayed in a gorgeous older hotel (Infante Sagres Porto) in the city center. And yes, yet another wedding reception was happening our first night. Had disturbed sleep as well, not from the reception but World Cup celebrations going in the street below us. Until 5AM! It is known as a party town...

walkers nearby the Camino coastal route entrance

Camino de Santiago entrance - 170 miles

Elaborately decorated train station

fogged in beach - very busy anyway as you can see

my new favorite drink - white port and tonic

Much to see in Porto. Statues, churches, busy train station, even a side stop at a local beach. Great tour guide who was super knowledgeable. Kudos to our travel agent in Naples.

visit to a port wine cellar which had fado singing (below)

mournful singing - not sure if it was our 'jam' -talented musicians though

Next up was the drive through Douro Valley. 2,000 years old back to Roman times and now a UNESCO site. There are even the original Roman markers on some of the roads. Winemaking has been around since Roman times as well with huge modern expansion now. Official certification of wine making started in 1769 and it is heavily monitored. by the government agency IVV. We stayed at a quinta which includes a hotel that has producing vineyards on their property. Another gorgeous hotel to experience - Quinta de Vacaria.

the view from the spa

outdoor breakfast cafe with potted olive trees of course

the pool view of their vineyards

We had two days of wonderful driver guides who took us through the winding hills and valleys of Douro Valley with stops in various wineries and olive oil producers.

abandoned secret police station - Portugal was a dictatorship 1933-1974

cork tree with layer removed

our driver Marco took us to a local no tourist cafe to experience some local color

Spectacular private tour of Santa Julia, a private family owned winery.  It's been in the same family since 1596! Wonderful wines and gardens. Mark ordered some bottles but they have not arrived yet. Coming by slow boat to U.S.

private family chapel

original marker to certify their wines - 1756

Last day found us back in Lisbon. What a vibrant city. We walked around, had a last dinner at a cute outdoor cafe, and retired for the night. Next day was big travel day home. Unfortunately by then I had caught an upper respiratory virus which passed to Mark, Don, and Roxanne. Sorry guys! At least it was at the end of the trip. It was all a blast and lovely memories were made for our special Portugal experience.

fresh sardines, barnacles!, and mussels

at dinner - trolleys went by every few minutes