SF/Denver/Durango with Tillie

I absolutely love my colorful, hand-constructed, ceramic spirit friend/companion/totem.  Tillie was given to me by Betty, Moll, Steve, Chris, Christopher and Kate on a recent trip to Hawaii. 

I briefly considered naming her Silly/but, as you may recall, that little pal didn't make it to dinner.  I settled on the name Tillie, as in "Travels with..." or "T's Tantalizing Tales." I'll stop now.

How did they know how well dressed she'd be for our upcoming Fly Fishing Adventure?  They didn't.  Nor did I.  Or how perfectly she'd find a secure home in my new backpack? 

All I can say is that Tillie was the Perfect/Inspired/Thoughtful Gift.  Thank you, darling "Portenlanger family."

T was subject to FP-style packing.  That is, constantly trying to figure out what makes the most sense.  I've recently settled on Jumbo Size Ziplock Bags which comfortably corral/this is, after all, horse country/items in compact containers that easily slide into/and against each other in a large duffle bag.  It's late/I'm a little jet lagged/I hope this makes sense.  Pictures of this concept tomorrow. 

Let Willie and Johnny take you on the road again.

Meanwhile, here is our trip from CA to CO:  

Traveling across our country has always been the kind of experience that causes me to burst into spontaneous song. America the Beautiful would be my pick.  What an amazingly diverse/spectacular country we call home.

There were a few dicey moments circumventing thunderstorms between Denver and Durango.  But once on the ground, it took only 1.5 hours to the ranch in Pagosa Falls.

I'm calling it a day.  More on this wonderful trip tomorrow.  Sleep well, all.  I definitely will be doing the same.