FINAL THOUGHTS:

America is beautiful!  I have been to many places but travelled by plane for the most part.  Driving these thousands of miles by auto and exploring small towns, large cities, Indian Reservations, abandoned communities and a mix of every culture, I realize how fortunate we are to live in the most beautiful places on the face of the earth.  I will treasure all the differences forever.

Friends are the greatest gift ever.  While I loved the beauty of the lands, the true joy came with the friends I had the chance to see and the new people I met on the way.  I wish I could have seen so many more friends but my trip would have taken many months had I attempted to reach others.  Our family members, friends new and old, business associates, and neighbors and church members from the past were the real gift of this trip.

Last week, you will recall I was in Russell for my birthday and celebrated the full circle back to where it all began.  But I also spent the afternoon and evening with my sister Sylvia, her husband Stan, and their oldest son Chris.  It was very special and none of us had any idea that a few days later Stan would die.  It was a shock but I will treasure that last time we all spent together.  Our memories with Stan will remain with us forever.  In a couple of days I will return to Russell for Stan's service.  I wish it could be repeat of last week.

We live in a time of great change.  In 1966 when Judy and I went to Ouray, we had no AC in the car, no navigation system, no adaptive cruise control, no sirius radio, no cell phones, no Kindles or MACS.  Today we take all of those for granted and they have made our lives much simpler.  But when I visited the winery in Paso Robles and asked about the reasons the vineyards are grown out of limestone on the steep hills, I was told it was to build stronger vines with riches fruit for better wine.  Perhaps we need to have a little stress in our lives too and make us stronger and sweeter to those around us.

While this journey is over, I was constantly reminded of the incredible opportunities in life that lay ahead of us.  I am thankful for the past we have all shared but excited for the future that opens up new possibilities we can't even imagine.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to this journey.  You are so appreciated.

Shalom, Denny

After I left Ouray, I was like the old horse that got anxious as it returned to the barn.  I had been very cautious with my driving and drove the limit with cruise at all times.....except 1.  As I drove out of town and headed up the hill, I saw a trooper siting on the side of the road.  I paid no attention but suddenly saw the red lights in the rear view mirror.  I wondered why he was stopping me and was shocked as he approached to learn I was doing 38 MPH in a 25 MPH zone!!!  The trooper looked young enough to be my grandson and when he spotted the urn seat belted in the seat next to me, he became very polite!  He almost apologized and said he would give me a warning ticket, returned to his car, and came back with his trooper ID card but not warning!  I was very appreciative and watched my up hill speed to the top of the pass.

I stopped in Durango and thought I might stay but the itch to get home was too great and there were too many tourists in all the "junk souvenir" shops so I drove on to Cortez to spend the night.  When I checked in I asked the front desk lady what was exciting and worth doing in Cortez.  She asked if I had stayed in Cortez before and I indicated it was my first time.  Her response:  "already knew that or you wouldn't be asking that question; there is NOTHING going on here!"  Actually, that wasn't quite right.  I discovered a new winery, Guy Drew, and enjoyed a tasting with others from VA and IL.

But then it was heading back to Scottsdale.  It has been an incredible journey but the best part is always the same.  Better at home than any other place.

After leaving Denver, I headed to a very favorite spot that we first discovered in our first year in Denver; Ouray, CO.  Known as Little Switzerland, it is an incredible community at the bottom of a box canyon.  I stayed at the Wiesbaden Motel, a very modest motel but sitting atop the hot mineral springs.  My room had no air condtioner but a fan in the window and when open at this altitude, it was very cool during the night.  But when you got up the floor was warm from the hot springs.  After checking in, I went down to the caves and it was fun but frightening at the same time.  The first room was large and warm but as I continued to the next room, the doors got smaller, the rooms lower, and the temperature much warmer.  As I sat there sweating in the 104 degree heat, I was sensitive of what would happen if a person suddenly became light headed!  After my 30 minutes I headed to the heated pool where other guests were enjoying the beauty and warmth.

I spent the evening walking the Main Street, discovering a great Italian Restaurant, meeting other visitors from around the country and absorbing the most beautiful setting.  It was good to recall our first vacation that was at this special place.

Judy and I spent over 30 years in Denver and were fortunate to meet incredible people in our journey.  They number in the hundreds if not thousands and I simply could not have spent time with all of them without moving back to Denver full time.  One of those persons we knew well was Dale who is friend and former business associate at Colorado National Bank and Rocky Mountain Bankcard.  We experienced incredible opportunity joining the bank about the same time  credit cards were ready to explode in the country.  Nearly 30 years of development of credit, debit, Plus ATM with hundreds of banks in the Rocky Mountain region and with Visa Internationally.  Those years were very exciting and involved hundreds of incredible associates in the business.  Dale was the senior guy I reported to during those years.  Can you imagine anyone putting up with me for nearly 30 years?????

After I had retired for the first time, I had an opportunity to join Nordstrom Federal Savings Bank.  I again enjoyed the association with hundreds of professional persons in Denver, Scottsdale, Seattle, and Orange County.  Janine is one of those persons I had a chance to see with her husband Joe on this recent trip.  

The church has always been important to us and King of Glory in Arvada was our church home for years.  There was a very special couple that became the "local" grandparents to David and Pam and very special friends to us.  Herman died a few years ago but Bernice (95 years young) is still a member there and lives in the same home alone near the church.  We should all do as well as Bernice who is still very sharp (puts me to shame), is physically healthy, inquisitive, and caring to all around her.  We enjoyed the service and saw many members who we knew, even though we have been gone for more than 20 years from Denver.  It was a wonderful time seeing and visiting briefly with all of them before I left for the next leg of the journey.

You probably noticed I have been absent a couple of days from posting.  This trip has provided me with some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen but I now know the most important part of my trip....and life....are the times with family and friends.    The last few days have been spent with friends across KS.  I stopped in Sharon Springs KS where Eva's Mom and family live and had a chance to see her, Dowell, Lisa, Etta, and Inga.  Nothing better than settling in around the large table and sharing food and drink with great friends.

Then it was on to Denver and spend time with David, Jenn, Rachel, and Will.  I am also very lucky to have parents of my daughter in law that are friends also.  Rather unusual but sure is wonderful.  You will note that some of the pictures do not contain Rachel.  She is now finishing her Sophomore year in high school and has her first real job as a bagger at Safeway.  Amazing how fast time goes.  We enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner at the Briarwood (one of my very favorite restaurants) and time with Randy and Mike at Simm's.  David, Rachel, Will and I also got in 9 holes of golf on Saturday so I time was filled with wonderful family time.  I am so proud of them all and what they are doing.

Well, it is now June 6 and I find myself in Russell.  Not planned that way but really good because it is my birthday and I return to where it all started!!  You probably all think of June 6 as D Day and it is but you probably are confused on how that designated was created.  It was during an incredible time in WWII BUT you probably didn't realize it was my third birthday and decided it would be appropriate to name after me!  Denny Dale Dumler........can't have a name like that and not have a national holiday established in honor of my third birthday!!!!

My sister Sylvia and her husband Stan still live in Russell so we celebrated my birthday together.  Their son Chris and his family live in a small community north of Hays and he was able to join us.  It made for a special celebration with our favorite dinners from the one good restaurant in town.

I am so happy it worked out to be my birthday when I arrived but wish i had been a couple of weeks later to experience the harvest season that is the celebration time of the year in areas like Russell.  I plan to be back for my high school reunion in September!

If you have ever been to Salina, KS, you probably know about Cozy Inn!  One of those places with the slider sized hamburgers (half hamburger and half onion) on grease soaked buns with small bags of chips and soft drinks.  Cozy has been there for many years (think 1930s) and is still the same six stool counter with the "strong onion smell" rolling off the grill.  The smell is so strong you can probably smell it now as I write this note!  Can't do Salina without a stop at the Cozy!

The other picture is from St. John's Military School where David attended and graduated.  It was one of those times in life that were difficult but incredibly successful and remembered with fond memories.  It was the only time in our marriage that we both cried together after we left David off for that first day as a freshman in high school!  But it was replaced for both of us with the incredible success David experienced in his high school years there and prepared for a future that has been the best for him and all of us!!