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Saturday we were up early to go into Denver to go to the Science and Natural History museum.  We went to three of the IMAX shows including Age of Space, Cousteau's Ocean and Humpback Whales.  In between shows we went through the Gems and Mineral display, Colorado Wildlife dioramas, Australia and the Pacific Wildlife dioramas, and several others.  We were thoroughly worn out but stopped for supper at Pete's Greektown Cafe; what wonderful food they have there.  We made a note to go again when we're in the area.  Sunday we went to laPeep for brunch; Leofwyna was delighted to find they hadn't changed.  Then we drove out to an animal sanctuary but were too late to get in.  We were able to see a camel, several dozen vicunas and a couple prides of lions from the road.  Back at home in the evening we started another jigsaw puzzle while running some laundry through but agreed to toss the puzzle as it was poorly registered.  Monday we were up and out to go back to Estes and Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park.  We saw one elk this time, several magpies and 3-4 small deer herds (only a couple bucks).  Back at the house Leofwyna's trying to get her weaving project big enough to call done.  She's having some problems with warp threads breaking but is pushing ahead in spite of it.  Tuesday is the last day of being tourists and we headed to Wyoming... Cheyenne and then Laramie by way of ___ Nat'l Forest.  We saw several very large groups of antelope while we were on the road.  In town we found a few thrift stores and I found an unopened set of pink/taupe polka dot sheets, a couple cotton cutters and a puzzle.  We also found another quilt shop for me to be tempted in and I got a replacement ruler in addition to a dozen cuts of cotton prints.  When the sun went down we hurried to beat the storm back to Loveland... there were snow flurries in the wind for 20 miles on I-80 but was clear the rest of the way.  Wednesday we were surprised the promised storm had petered out.  The snow on the ground pretty much disappeared throughout a sunny day.  We stayed at the house and started some of the packing and cleaning up.  I made baked porkchops and sweet potatoes for our supper; a yummy dish I want to remember to repeat with chicken this winter, too.  Thursday some more cleaning and loading the RAV as Agnes and Carl will pull in late this afternoon.  One more night here then we'll be on the road all day Friday heading home.  Here's hoping the weather holds one more day as we cross the plains down I-25 and I-80.

I should perhaps remind myself here and share with friends how this trip has come about.  Our friend has taken a trip to Australia and asked if we would house and cat sit while she was gone.  She is paying for the gas to and from home and we have the run of the house while we're here so there's no 'travel' expense.  Leofwyna is underwriting the gas we're using as we play tourist and she's buying the tickets for the attractions we've gone to.  I'm extremely grateful she's able and willing to do that for me.  The only money I've spent is on groceries, which I'd be doing back home anyway, and on my finds in the thrift stores.