Final visit to SSI

 We thought this might turn out to be the last of so, so many trips to see Betty in Asheville and latterly on St Simon’s Island. Although Mary tried to speak to her on the phone every single day, we know how how much these visits meant to her and this last sad visit was no exception. We took her out for lunch on each of our 6 days there and on most of them she was able to communicate well with us. Here she is listening to a little piano solo her great grandson Oliver recorded for her and sent on line. 

Two days after we left she was admitted to a hospice and never left it dying 10 days or so later Janie taking up an almost permanent spot at her bedside.

We plan on a memorial service in Braemar in August 2022 when the family will be gathering anyway following the final Munro party.

Penultimate visit to St Simon’s Island

 At 99 we knew that Betty’s days were seriously numbered , so it was a joy to spend 5 days taking her out to lunch on each one of them and having some very special time together . 

Note the most recently towed section of the Golden Ray with a few of the mangled 4,000 Hyundai cars in Brunswick.

Also a good visit to stay with Martha S in Atlanta and a memorable visit to the Civil War museum and also seeing Janie & Tim’s newly built house in the spectacular location of Ellijay, GA. No pics . I don’t know why not . I took masses of her spectacular house and garden.

Mountain biking with Lee

 Lee Miller was back in town for a few days from Hawaii, so we hooked up with him for a few concert rehearsals in the Tent and a bike ride up Viewline and down Airline to Victoria’s for coffee. Brilliant .

Cycle tour to Marble

 Dave Lyons Tucker Carlson and I had planned this for sometime. It was going to be a training trip for last year’s Trans Am that was postponed. Dave was responsible for my new Shirley.

We agreed to meet at the Village Smithy with Mary and I having had breakfast before setting off through Carbondale and up to Marble. Mary set off on her bike back to Snowmass having had a very good breakfast with me and the three of us headed in the opposite direction.

Beautiful ride up the Crystal River Highway 133 and then to Marble where we camped for the night after a very good barbecue dinner at the local restaurant.

It was cold and we were up early. Set off back to Carbondale with a very good breakfast at the Redstone Inn on the way. And then back to Snowmass on the Rio Grande trail although I cheated by having Mary pick me up at the intercept Lot at the bottom of brush Creek Road.

Sun River Resort, OR

 Mary and I drove up to Bend Oregon from our Grand Canyon trip and met Duncan and Katie Oliver and Maggie at the Sun River resort 10 miles or so south of Bend Oregon. We took an Airbnb house there for four days and had an action packed holiday with the family.

North Rim of Grand Canyon

 A phenomenal four day cycle during trip with rim Tours out of Moab. Full description and pics on my crazyguy site 

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/23678

Trip to Georgia

 We took Bustang bus service Glenwood to Union station Denver and from there the first rail link direct to DIA. A very easy and inexpensive way of getting there. Flew then to Atlanta and had a quiet evening with Martha at her house in Brookhaven. Next day the three of us drove up to Jane and Tim’s newly built house in Elijay, GA. Back to Atlanta when Martha took us out to her country club across the road for dinner. Very early start next morning driving through heavy traffic even at 6 AM through downtown Atlanta and onto St Simon‘s island in time to take Betty to a doctors appointment. Thereafter a very pleasant 6 days staying at the Best Western and visiting Betty, taking her to medical appointments, taking her to dinner,  lunch etc. She was in terrific form and being exceedingly well looked after at Magnolia. She’ll be 99 on June 9.

We drove with her one day to meet her latest great grand child Rosie son of Geoffrey and Kahee.

Drove back to Atlanta and had a fascinating day at the Civil War Museum in Buckhead with Martha. Then a dinner on Martha’s deck to which she kindly invited Jane, Tim and her cycling friend Ward.

Flew back to DIA next morning and the same train/bus journey back to Glenwood . Home by 10pm.

Martha’s house in Brookhaven

Dinner party at Brookhaven - Janie, Tim, Martha, Ward, Mary

One of the ‘cut’ sections of the Golden Ray which ran aground off St Simons Is sound with 4200 Hyundai cars aboard! Here it is after being towed by a tug to the port in downtown Brunswick 

 
With Martha on our way to Elijah

The Kelly’s new house at Elijah

With Betty on SSI

Martha’s beautiful garden after more than 40 years of work
Geoffrey , Rosie and Betty

And below - back to Snowmass off season routine . Cycling up to the Maroon Bells from home . A delightful 2 hour drive.

B