Angel Fire, Enchanted Circle, New Mexico

Hi Everyone,

I’m back in Prague and settling into every day life again after my visit home to my family in New Mexico! The time difference between here and New Mexico is still making itself felt, but I’m beginning to feel a little more “normal” again! Today I’ll finally tell you about Angel Fire, New Mexico—the last stop on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway!

The village of Angel Fire sits in the Moreno Valley, at the base of Wheeler Peak in northern New Mexico, at an altitude of 8,382 ft. Angel Fire is a bit remote, but that is what adds to the village’s many charms. The village is surrounded by the Carson National Forest (filled with pine and aspen), ranches and homes, and is the home of the Angel Fire Ski Resort. There is so much to see and do here—you can see bears walking near the restaurants, and even near homes in the area; you can see elk and deer most days wandering through the nearby neighborhoods, and find multitudes of birds (of every variety) in this place! Wild flowers abound, along with wild berries up on the ski mountain trails in the summer. Along with all the wild life, you can see the wild sweep of mountains all around and beautiful deep turquoise-colored skies day or night.

The Angel Fire area has a long history—the Native Americans (Apaches and Utes) long used the area as hunting grounds and as a gathering place in the summer and fall months. The Native Americans were fascinated with the pink “fire” that comes to the mountains in the morning and evening, and called this phenomena “fire of the gods.” Later, Europeans came to the area. Some of the first Europeans to visit were Franciscan monks and they renamed the fire phenomena “fire of the angels,” which led to the current name of Angel Fire.

Many came to the Angel Fire area during the gold rush of the mid 1800’s. Just after the gold rush was over, ranchers and homesteaders came to the area. In 1864, Lucien B. Maxwell came to be the owner of 1.7 million acres of land that came to be known as the Maxwell Land Grant. Later, this land was the scene of the land grant wars and much bloodshed and violence—and the source of many stories and legends of the West.

Nowadays, Angel Fire is calm and peaceful in the high, clear air of the southern Rockies. Many tourists come to the area for many different types of recreation. Some of my family’s favorite activities are off-roading in my Dad’s Jeep, and hiking the many trails that abound in and around Angel Fire and the Enchanted Circle area. And I can’t forget to mention the Angel Fire Ski Resort! The ski resort is an excellent place to ski—over 100,000 visitors come each year! Angel Fire Ski resort is also the only resort in New Mexico that offers a halfpipe for snowboarders.

My family truly enjoys all of the Enchanted Circle. I was very fortunate to live in this area for four years before moving here, to Prague. I mainly moved to the area for health reasons, and at first found it to be a very remote and wild place. Over time, however, I came to love this part of northern New Mexico. This area is an excellent place to recuperate and heal, an excellent place to visit and to live due to its clean and clear environment. There is also much to see and do in this area, along with the entire state of New Mexico!

I hope you all have a chance to visit New Mexico sometime…you will find it a place of legends, history, and healing…and you’ll have a lot of fun, there, too!

This weekend, my husband and I are going to the Šumava Mountains in southwestern Bohemia. My brother-in-law will be celebrating his 60^th birthday—Happy Birthday, Lad’a! We will also be taking a day or two to visit the area around Prašily—to take in the forest and lake, and also try to find some mushrooms! I’ll be back to Prague on Tuesday, and will tell you about our trip then!

You all have a great and happy Labor Day weekend!

God bless,

Sherry :0)

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com

© 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Photo property of S. A. Vacik

Fighting The Time Change

Hi Everyone,
Welcome back to Prague! My husband and I had a very long trip on Sunday, and we safely arrived in Prague late Monday morning. Our trip was long as it started back in the Enchanted Circle of New Mexico--we traveled from there to Albuquerque on Saturday as we had a very early flight the next morning. From there we traveled to Atlanta, Georgia where hurricane Fay was laying waste! Sunday evening our flight from Atlanta to Prague was almost side-lined due to weather--storms spun off from Fay. But at the last minute, we were permitted to take off--all international flights were allowed to leave when a small window of "good" weather opened up! I guess the domestic flights were held up for a time. After take-off, the weather was not so good--and the ride was very bumpy. The pilot would not even allow the flight attendants to serve our suppers after almost two hours in the air! It was just too bumpy and therefore not safe for anyone to be walking around. I know if they had served our meals, the food would not have stayed on the trays very long! Most of our flight was like this off and on. So, it was a great relief when we finally landed in Prague--back on solid ground once again!

Since our arrival in Prague, I've been battling jet lag in a huge way! This is normal...I don't make the change very easily. The time difference between here and the Enchanted Circle of New Mexico is 8 hours. That's a big change--Prague is ahead of New Mexico. So, now my body is still thinking I'm 8 hours behind the current time in Prague! One of the best ways to fight jet lag is to stay awake (no naps) on the day you arrive, and stay up until a normal bed time hour. Then go to bed, and the next morning, get up at your regular time. Also, getting out into the sun, in the morning, helps to set the body's inner clock to the current time zone. I've been doing all of these, and doing mostly OK, but have still been fighting sleepiness!

Another good way to fight the time change is to eat small meals throughout the day. My body gets mixed up about the times to eat and sleep. I wake up, here, hungry in the middle of the night--which would correspond to a meal time back in New Mexico! To counter this, I eat a small piece of fruit, or a rice cake and cheese (I can't eat wheat and other grains). That is usually enough to help me make it through the night without waking up. The next day, eating small meals throughout the day (and I mean small...not huge 6 serving meals!) seems to help the body to adjust. I usually have to do this for a couple of days, and then I'm pretty much back to normal.

Otherwise, being back in Prague feels pretty good--it feels good to be home. I am missing my family and our dogs, Pal and Jade, quite a bit! That is one of the hardest things about being over here, but we are back to talking every day via Gtalk, so my homesickness will be relieved in that way!

Last week I was not able to make the post about Angel Fire! I will get that done in my next regular post. Angel Fire is a beautiful place to visit!

Until next time, you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com
(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Trip Adventures!

Hi Everyone,
Things have been very busy the end of this week! We've had many family duties that have kept me from making a regular post. Today, we've been having travel adventures!

This morning, we traveled to Albuquerque to spend the night...our first flight leaves very early tomorrow morning! My Dad drove us down here, to Albuquerque, to our hotel. We have a nice, comfortable room! But, when Jiri went to make coffee, the coffee maker wouldn't work! I got down and checked the plug, to make sure it was firmly plugged into the socket, only to find that someone had cut off the plug! Why would someone do that???!!!!!! So, we went down to the service desk and told them the problem. They also thought it was very strange! But they said they would bring up a new one...which they did. When we handed the broken coffee maker to them, they shook their heads...and couldn't imagine why someone would have done that! Otherwise, our room is very nice and comfortable...and thankfully, the air conditioner is working as it was very hot here today!

The other travel adventure I'm having is trying to check in online for my flights tomorrow! I got my husband checked in online, and printed out his boarding passes. When I went to do the same for me, the screen told me that I would need to check in with an airline agent at the airport! I have called the airline and talked with an agent, and we did go to the airport (via the hotel's shuttle), but no one could tell me what the problem is and why I can't check in online and print out the boarding passes. UGH! I have tried several times to check in...and am now worried that the airline will somehow bump me off the flight! I would like to travel back with Jiri, my husband...so we're hoping it all goes well tomorrow...and we'll be on the same flights back to Prague! Well, no matter what, we'll be on the same flights...if they bump me, they will also have to bump my husband...we will be together!

Well, it's almost time for our supper...there is a restaurant not far from our hotel that we can walk to. Then we'll be up VERY early in the morning for the first leg of our trip home!

You all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

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(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Family Duties

Hi Everyone,
I've not had time to make a new post in the past few days as I have been so busy with family duties! My husband arrived last Friday, and since then things have been so busy. Monday, my family had a very early Thanksgiving since my husband and I won't be here for the holidays this year. We had turkey with all the trimmings...and it was sooooo good! The weather, in the mountains, was perfect--it felt just like Fall...Dad even had a fire burning in the wood stove as it was so cool!

Yesterday and today my husband and I have been in the process of moving our youngest daughter back to college. She is a third year student--so this is "old hat" (we are now experienced and so is she!)! We are currently in this process and will be back home this evening. We drove my parents' big SUV down to her college town--we were packed to the brim and then-some! But we managed the trip OK...our other daughter (our eldest) is also with on this trip, so she spent the night with her sister--in the dorm room--unpacking, watching movies and playing video games! This morning we have to do some grocery shopping, and then we'll be back on the road again--going home to the mountains.

My next post will be about Angel Fire! That will probably be my last post from the US as my husband and I will be traveling back to Prague this weekend. The past three weeks have surely sped by--now its almost time to go to home to Prague! I'm hoping that I will adapt back faster than in the past. After being home, in the US, I'm more "americanized" again...and have to adapt back to being a "praguer" again!

Well, that's all for now...you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com
(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Long Trip!

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I intended on writing a post about Angel Fire, New Mexico, but the trip to pick up my husband at the airport turned into a whole day affair! It should have only taken half a day to get Jiri at the airport and get back home. That would have left plenty of time for writing! Jiri's flight was delayed 2-3 hours, and then we had to make a couple of stops on the way home, and also had horrible construction traffic to manuver through! When all was said and done, we didn't get home till very late in the evening!


Monday, I will write that post about Angel Fire! Till then, I hope you all have a great weekend!


God bless,
Sherry :0)


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(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Eagle Nest, New Mexico--Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

Hi Everyone,
We are having some beautiful weather up here in the Sangre de Cristos! We are in the midst of the summer monsoons--that means sunny mornings, and sometimes rain later in the afternoon or evening. The temperatures have been in the upper 70's and low 80's, so an air conditioner is not necessary...and the evenings have been pretty cool--into the 60's, and the over night temperatures have been in the 40's. So, it is very pleasant here when compared to the heat and humidity of Prague this time of the year!

My last post was about Red River, and I said that today's post would be about Angel Fire. But I made a mistake! I forgot the town that's in between Red River and Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, New Mexico! So, today's post will be about the small town of Eagle Nest, the next place on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

Eagle Nest sits in the center of the Moreno Valley, which is between Wheeler Peak on one side, and Baldy Mountain (the second highest peak in New Mexico). The town is right a 8,382 ft. This part of the Enchanted Circle (Moreno Valley) is a high, dry plain that is perfect for seeing on of the biggest herds of elk in New Mexico. This spot offers spectacular views of the mountains and Eagle Nest Lake, and the Carson National Forest.

Eagle Nest began as a boom town during the gold rush years in the mid 1800's. The town had a different name at that time--it was called Therma, and named after the postal inspector's daughter! But the name didn't stick, and soon the place was being called Eagle Nest--after the eagles that nest in the area to this day. Eagle Nest was the typical boom town--filled with businesses that catered to the many miners--including saloons and gambling houses. There are even stories of gunfights on the roofs of the buildings along the main street of the town! Eagle Nest was quite a place during those early years! Nowadays, Eagle Nest is pretty calm--you would never suspect the days of saloons, gambling and gunfights!

As the mines in the area played out, homesteaders and ranchers came to the area and the town began to slowly change from the boom town of the gold rush days. More and more, Eagle Nest, in the 1920's and 1930's began to see more tourists coming up from Texas to escape the summer heat and humidty. Over time, the town came to depend on the tourists to keep it going. In the early 1900's, a dam was proposed to be built across the entrance of the Cimarron Canyon. Permission was granted, and the dam was built to create a reservoir that is now Eagle Nest Lake. The lake was originally going to be used for irrigation, but turned out to be a wonderful place for recreational fishermen! The lake and some of the land around it are now part of the system of New Mexico state parks.

Today, Eagle Nest is a popular place to visit with its unique small shops and wonderful fishing at Eagle Nest Lake. There are also many wonderful hiking trails to be found near Eagle Nest. One of my personal favorites is the hiking trail, in Cimarron Canyon, that is near mile marker 292. This trail is moderate to difficult--it goes up to the rim of the canyon, offering views of the forest and enchanting waterfalls along the way! My daughter and I found that the best time to hike this trail is mid spring when the melting snow fills the stream that feeds the waterfalls--the waterfalls are the most spectacular at that time! Here is a list of trails to be found near Eagle Nest.

You can find some pictures of Eagle Nest here. Eagle Nest is a fun place to visit...we go there on a regular basis to visit the Farmers Market, and shop the small stores there--we also love the restaurants Texas Reds and the Lucky Shoe.

My next post, I'll tell you about Angel Fire, New Mexico--the next stop on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

You all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com
(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Red River, New Mexico--Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

Hi Everyone,
Today I'd like to tell you a little bit about the next city on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway--Red River, New Mexico. Red River sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at an elevation of 8,750 ft (2,677 m). The town is situated in an alpine valley, surrounded by the Carson National Forest, and not far from the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area. This is a beautiful part of the Enchanted Circle byway--it is very much like parts of Colorado--filled with pines, aspens, streams, hiking trails, etc. My family has spent much time in and around Red River--there is always something fun to do or see there!

Red River's history goes back hundreds of years. The Ute and Jicarilla Apaches lived in this area, and waged war on the pueblos in the area around Taos. Next came the fur trappers and explorers, and then, in the 1870's the gold rush brought thousands of prospectors to the area, and Red River became a boom town with a population of 3,000! There were many mines in the area--mostly gold, silver and copper mines. It is possible to find some of these abandoned mines today and even find some rocks with small bits of gold! During the boom town times, Red River was quite busy--and even had a red light district, complete with several saloons! Once the mines played out, the population began to wane. But many homesteaders came to the area and the upper Moreno Valley to start ranches. The town also turned to tourism and became a mountain retreat in the early 1920's and 1930's.

Today, Red River is a thriving mountain town. It has many distinctive small shops and restaurants, and has a great convention center. The town also boasts a famous ski resort--Red River Ski Resort. Visiting Red River is a like a breath of fresh air any time, but especially during the hot summer months. Most of my pictures are packed away, but I was able to locate some good pictures online--please click here to view Red River.

My family "found" Red River by accident one summer. My parents and the kids and I were going to take a trip to see the Grand Canyon. We stopped over night in Taos, and then decided that maybe it would be fun to spend a couple of days there, before heading to the Grand Canyon! While we were there, we took a drive into the mountains, on the Enchanted Circle byway, and came across Red River. It was so beautiful and cool up there! We spent an afternoon there, and then decided to move from Taos up to Red River to spend a couple of days. We rented a condo on the Red River (that runs near Red River) and it was so wonderful! The kids were delighted with the river nearby, and saw many deer come down to drink and eat there...the kids were also excited by the mountains! They had never seen such mountains before! So, my parents and I decided that we liked it there so much, we would extend our stay...and never did make it to the Grand Canyon!

We were so happy to be in Red River! Every day was a new adventure for all of us. We took in the hiking trails, the shops...and even rode horses (at the local stables) on trails around Red River. The views are beautiful. We also found a road, leading out of town, that took us to a trail head--Lost Lake. This is a fantastic trail. Its a bit of a challenge, but well-worth the effort. The trail is about 4 miles long, and ends at an elevation of 11,495 ft--at a lake--Lost Lake. This area is very scenic--it sits at the base of Wheeler Peak, in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area. It is possible to picnic, camp and fish there. We just hiked around the lake, and found huge piles of snow--in mid July that year! We had so much fun! This is an all day hike--one that we have repeated often since that first time.

There is so much more I could write about our adventures in and around Red River! I highly recommend a visit to this mountain town--Red River--to experience its history and idyllic mountain setting!

Next time, I'll write about the village of Angel Fire, New Mexico...another beautiful resort area on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

You all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)


For more information about the hiking trails around Red River, please click here.

The pictures in the slide show, above, were taken on a road near the Lost Lake trail head. This was last February 2008...there was a lot of snow...the plow drifts were up to 6ft high and higher! This is a residential area...but many of the homes are not occupied in the winter. There was one house where people were living--it was waaaaaayyyyy down the road...this one house was shoveled out, but all the other houses along that road were covered in snow! It was pretty cold that day, that's why I have a mask on. The mask helps to protect my lungs from the frigid air--and keeps me from having an asthma attack!


http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com

(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

All photos (slideshow) are the property of S. A. Vacik

Enchanting Taos

Hi Everyone,
Today I'll tell you a bit about Taos, New Mexico. Taos is the beginning and end of the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, and it sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in north central New Mexico. Taos (prounounced "tah-os"), which gets its name from the local Tiwa (Pueblo) Indians, means "red willow"--and many red willow trees can be found in and around Taos! This land has been inhabited by humans for almost 6,000 years. The first humans here were nomadic hunter-gatherers, and were the ancestors of today's Tiwa Indians. It is hard to believe that people have lived in this area for so long! The Tiwa people live in a pueblo that is one of the oldest still in use in the US. This pueblo has been continuously lived in for 1,000 years, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please click here to see pictures of the Taos Pueblo. My own pictures are packed away, but these will give you an excellent idea of what the pueblo is like, as well as parts of Taos and the culture here. It is interesting to note that some of the Tiwa people still live in the pueblo in the ancient ways--this means with no running water or electricity. However, many of the Tiwa Indians do have modern homes, and choose to live in the pueblo only during ceremonial and religious times.

Taos has been a trading center for hundreds of years. The Tiwa people traded with many of the Plains Indians, and even with some that came from south of the border (from Mexico and beyond). Taos Plaza is still the center of Old Taos, and is a market place to this day. The plaza is one, of only a few places in the US, where the American flag can be on display day and night. I haven't been able to find the reason for this distinction. Do any of you know why this is? Please click here to see a panoramic view of the plaza.

Taos was first seen by the Spanish in 1540, when Captain Alvarado led the first European explorers (of the Coronado Expedition) into the Taos Valley. They were looking for the gold of the Seven Cities of Cibola. By the early 1600's, Spaniards had laid claim to all of what they called Nuevo Mexico and had begun to settle the land and area around Taos, and the rest of what is now the state of New Mexico. So, Taos was settled even before the Pilgrims came to the New World! Most people don't know this...that the Spanish were the first to begin settlement of what would later become the United States of America! Later, Taos was a major stop for fur traders, for those on the Santa Fe Trail, and also for the gold hunters.

Nowadays, Taos is known as a hot tourist site in the south western US. You can find so much to see and do here...Taos is a center for art in many forms--everything from Native American art and jewelry to paintings. Taos is full of art galleries...as well as museums. And I can't forget to mention the Taos Ski Valley! This is a famous ski resort, just a few miles outside of Taos, that offers beautiful hiking trails in summer, and very challenging skiing in the winter. Taos is also famous for its many restaurants that serve everything from Tex Mex and Mexican food, to steak! It is easy to spend several days here, in Taos...there is so much to see and do here! I would highly recommend a stop in Taos to experience some of the best that the South West has to offer in terms of culture and history. Please click here to view more pictures of Taos.

That's all for today...next time, I'll write about beautiful Red River, another town on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

You all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

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(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

Enchanted Circle, New Mexico

Hi Everyone,
Today I'm writing from the Enchanted Circle in northern New Mexico! This is where my family home is located...this is definitely an enchanted and enchanting place to live and visit. The Enchanted Circle is a scenic byway centered around Wheeler Peak, the highest peak (at 13,161 ft or 4,011 m) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just north east of Taos, New Mexico. The Enchanted Circle byway goes through the Carson National Forest, and the towns of Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire...ending back in Taos. This route is a very popular day-trip out of Taos. There is much to see and do along this enchanted route, but the most popular activities are those that take visitors outdoors--hiking, skiing (both down hill and cross country), etc!

My daughter and I moved up here due to my allergies and asthma. We made a new life here, and found ourselves healthier living in this high altitude and dry air--it was much better for us than when we lived along the Gulf coast of Texas. Our house sits at about 9,000 ft on the top of a small mountain, surrounded by pines, aspen, and many forms of wildlife! We have seen everything from deer to elk, a coyote pack, bears, a bobcat, along with the smaller animals, such as squirrels and chubby chipmunks and birds. It is never dull around here--you have only to watch out of the window to see which animal neighbors are busy at different times of the day. This drives Pal and Jade (our two dogs) absolutely crazy! Along with all the wildlife, we have many wild flowers and even wild strawberries and raspberries!


My daughter started high school when we moved here. Four days a week, she had a one hour bus ride from our home to her school. The bus route goes through the Cimarron Canyon, which is very windy and curvy, to the town of Cimarron, on the other side of the mountains. The ride was long, but my daughter didn't mind--she would do homework and reading on the trip to and from her school. How she managed this, I don't know...I would have bene sick trying to work on the bus as it drove through that canyon! The kids had some adventures on this ride--sometimes the bus would have to stop due elk, or even bear who decided to stay on the road for a while!


Many people were amazed that my daughter and I were able to survive up here, in the high altitude with our asthma! Truly, it was not a problem, unless we were in the midst of an asthma attack...then it was a bit tricky. Even so, we managed to survive just fine. The Enchanted Circle area is somehow very healing--physically, mentally and spiritually. There are no major cities nearby, so the air is very clean here. The Native Americans who once lived in this area counted this to be a very healing place. Many people, to this day, come up here for the air and the peaceful, clean environment. There are even some who say that ancient lay lines run through this area. I'm not sure about that, but the Enchanted Circle area is a very healthy place to visit and live!

On my next post, I'll tell you a bit about Taos--its history and some of the interesting places to visit here. This part of New Mexico is deep and rich in history--and it offers much in the way of culture, too.

That's all for today--you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

PS The mountain chain, here, is called the Sangre de Cristos (The Blood of Christ) because of the red color they sometimes have during sunrise and sunset. Please see my pictures, above.

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com
(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath
All photos property of S. A. Vacik

Wine and Brandy Evening :0)

Hi Everyone,
I had planned on writing a post today about the area of the Rockies that I have called home...but tonight, we had some wine with dinner...and then my dad and I had some very good brandy after dinner...and now its hard to think or type...I'm not drunk, but am not feeling any pain! It is a bit unusual for a lady to like and drink brandy, but I have had brandy, in the past, as a medicinal drink. When my asthma is very bad, sometimes a good, old, smooth brandy works much better than my nebulized albuterol, and prednisone, etc. My first acquaintance with brandy was in such a way...during an asthma attack...when it was not possible to get to the hospital or the doctor's office up here in the moutnains. We are in a very remote part of the mountains...and I was living here alone with my yougest daughter, who did not drive at the time. The brandy worked...I'm not sure of the mechanism of how it works, except that maybe the brandy relaxes everything and helps the airways to open. I just know that it works! So, this is how I was first acquainted with brandy. But now, I like to drink it once-in-a-while...and that was what happened tonight!

I will make a regular post on Wednesday about our area of the Rockies...we live in what is called the Enchanted Circle of New Mexico. It is a remote area, but very beautiful...a very healing place. It is truly a very enchanting place...and I will share more about this in my next post.

You all have a great day!

God bless,
Sher :0)

PS I wanted to add this note about alcohol and high altitudes! We are living at 9,000 ft...at this altitude, alcohol tends to have an increased effect on the body. I'm not sure, but it seems to me that alcohol is about twice as potent up here than it is at sea level. I didn't have much to drink at all, but it sure did effect me! I'm not much of a drinker, except for an occasional glass of wine or something like brandy or Becherovka. Anyway, please be sure to take it easy when drinking at high altitudes...and definitely don't drink and drive at any altitude! Be responsible!

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(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath

First Drive and Weird Veggies

Hi Everyone,
Today, my mom and I had to run to do the hunting and gathering for the family--that means grocery shopping! It was a job...I had to drive as my mom is currently in a "boot"--she broke a small bone in her ankle a few weeks ago, and has to wear a heavy boot that's a brace. Anyway, I had to drive...which I haven't done in five months! That was something...I actually drove for the first time yesterday--taking my daughter to work. We live in a very small down in the Rockies, so driving wasn't very difficult. There's not too much traffic, and no curvy, windy roads, here in town. So, I did OK, although it did feel as if my brain was being stretched between two posts! I used parts of my brain that I haven't used in all those months since I drove last! Today, I managed to drive down the mountain to the town where we buy our groceries with no trouble.

While we were at the grocery store, I made a very funny discovery! We found "weird veggies" like we have in the Czech Republic! I saw what, in Czech, we call "celer"...here, it is celery root! And we found the mummified carrots--or parsnips..."petrzel" in Czech! I couldn't believe it...I've never seen these anywhere in the US before! So, it was nice to see them here...it was like a bit of home (from Prague) here, at my home in the US! It was a funny discovery as I was so excited to see these veggies in our local store! Mom was laughing at my excitement at finding "weird veggies!"

Well, I'm having some adventures on my visit home...and its great seeing my family, again! Next week, I'll try to share about the area where I used to live here...it's very pretty up here in the Rockies!

You all have a great weekend!

Well, that's all for now...I hope you all have a great weekend!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

http://czechoffthebeatenpath.googlepages.com
(c) 2008 by czechoffthebeatenpath