Notes from our time away from the Cottonwood Inn

In addition to not writing blog entries for the last 6 months Brantly and I also went on our first vacation in two years. We took a leisurely drive from Taos to the Oregon Coast-- we drove my Father's VW Eurovan, which he left here last Spring. On the way, we left a vehicle in Denver so we could take the Amtrak back from Oregon.

The drive across country was absolutely stunning-- highlights were Yellowstone (we nipped through on the second to last open day of the year) Coeur d'Alene (BIG summer houses with NOBODY there!), the Washington Cascades, and Port Townsend. Port Townsend is CUTE!

Along the way we were able to stay at a variety of different types of places. From the truly great bargain in Walden, Colorado (the North Park Inn) clean as a whistle, outrageously cheap, and in the perfect place in our time of need (after 11 pm, freezing cold, and we were exhausted) to the over-priced and underwhelming Denver boutique hotel that charged for everything except the oxygen in the building-- extra $$ for WIFI, parking, breakfast (holy cow-- $9.00 for a cup of yogurt with granola), no in-room coffee/tea/refrigerator, not enough shampoo in the dinky bottles for 2 people to wash their hair, and most unbelievable only one nightstand per bed??!)

Did I mention $259/night and only one nightstand??

Maybe this won't bother most people, but as readers, we were a bit nonplussed to have to put our drinks (purchased from the in-room wetbar-- a soda for $4 can), books, and reading glasses on the floor.

I was also eager to try out the much-lauded Frette bedding. I have to say I wasn't impressed (much to Brantly's relief, as he didn't want to have to buy bedding sets for 1K plus). It might be that the harsh chemicals and laundering they go through in a commercial laundry take away from the softness, but they merely felt thin and scratchy.

Of course my conclusion is that the smaller places offered much more for the money.

Lot's of great bird watching both on the way and in Oregon. Mass Canada Goose migration was a fantastic event to behold. Also a HUGE flock of Trumpeter Swans occupying a pasture in the middle of nowhere just outside of the Washington Cascades.

Back at the homestead we've got lots of bird-watching opportunities, ourselves. Wiccus, our White Midget tom turkey, has figured out that we live behind the windows he sees each day. He has begun to lurk around outside our bedroom window, peering in and making contemplative clucking noises. Truly a Peeping Tom....

Today we had a good 5 inches of fresh snow on the ground, a first for several of the younger hens. Our hen Lavinia refused to come out of the coop, instead standing a few inches inside the door and screeching disbelievingly at the snow. She is usually the first one out in the morning and is very good at flying out of the coop and ranging the entire property at will. Welcome to winter in Taos, Lavinia.

There is more snow on the way, hopefully a good 5-10 inches for us and more up at the Taos Ski Valley.