A Few More Days in Colorado

The freeway through the mountains between Salt Lake City and the border of southern Wyoming.

Here I am, finally writing about our last road trip more than 2 weeks after our return.  The holidays are hectic!  To pick up where I left off:
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After we dropped Jacob off at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, December 1st, Ed and I headed north to Salt Lake City, then turned east toward Wyoming.  While crossing Utah's mountains we met a little snow, but we got out of the state just ahead of the next storm.  It was clear skies all the way as we drove across the southern part of Wyoming.

It was about 10:00 that night when we took a right turn at Cheyenne and crossed into Colorado, reaching Ed's mom's house just 5 miles south of the border.
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Ed with his mom, Caryl, at the Denver Temple on 3 Dec 2010.

We enjoyed a wonderful 3-day visit with Ed's mom.  As usual, Ed had plenty of projects to keep him busy around his mom's place, as well as some business of his own to complete.  We also went into the nearby towns of Fort Collins and Wellington to run errands on Thursday and Friday.
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Ed in front of the Denver Temple, which is actually located in the city of Centennial.

For me, the highlight of the trip was on Friday, when Ed and I were able to attend the Denver Temple with Ed's mom.  It was a very emotional experience since it was the first time Caryl was able to attend the temple with one of her adult children.  The last time they were in the temple together was in 1972, when they were sealed as a family in the Manti Temple in Utah.  She told Ed how proud his father would be.  Ed's dad, Ed Senior, passed away a year ago, but I think he was there with us that day. 

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Steve and Lance with their hunting dog, Yuma.

Friday was the highlight of Ed's week, too, but a close second was pheasant hunting on Saturday with his old high school buddies, brothers Lance and Steve.  Ed was up and gone by 4:30 a.m. and didn't return to his mom's house until almost 10 p.m.  He was beat!

Ed poses with the poor little birdies!  (Ed tells me you're not supposed to smile in hunting pictures.)

Now we have three pheasants in our freezer.  I can't wait for Ed to whip up some of his famous pheasant enchiladas!
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This 1989 Mustang is the main reason we made this trip to Colorado.  Ed had taken it to a body shop back around the time we met, and it was finally ready to be picked up and towed to Arizona.  This is Ed's "baby."

We finished up a few last chores, packed everything up, and got on the road around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.  It was well after midnight when we returned home, and then I was up at 6:00 Monday morning and off to work.  But let's not talk about that... 

Elder Carter Update:

Jacob completed his 2 weeks and 5 days at the MTC, and on Monday morning (Dec. 20) he flew to Santa Rosa to begin his new life as a full-time missionary.  He was actually allowed to call us from the airport in Utah for a short 5-minute conversation.  What a special surprise that was to wake up to!  He was most excited to be taking his first plane flight.

I haven't heard from him since then, so I'm still waiting to get his new California address.  As soon as I have more info, I will post it here.  I can tell you that he is thrilled by each letter he receives from friends and family, so many grateful thanks to those of you who've taken the time to write him.  He'll love it if you continue to do so!