End of the school year, we are both teachers, though he is retiring. Moving to our new 10.2 acres of almost solid trees, packing and storing both classrooms, tsunami season in NE Texas (at least this year it seems), I think we need to rest, restore, and do some celebrating before we dive in head first to the deep end on our Homestead. I mean, the work can wait…right? Cheers to crossing our fingers and hoping for the best when it comes to that. We have to build a chicken coop asap upon return because we already bought our flock from a friend who no longer has time for them. We will just pay her daughter to continue to feed and care for them for a few more weeks. Another “cross our fingers and hope for the best” area of our lives…do you see a pattern forming here? More on that later. First, we have a lot to celebrate!

Jerry and I just got married in March, he turned 60 just 3 weeks later, and then a few weeks ago at the end of May, he retired from 23 years teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. We decided to load up our GMC Sierra, with all our camping gear, our dog Pixie, and a cooler of snacks and drinks and head for his sister’s house in Eagle, CO. And while we are at it, let’s take the long way there and the long way back. First, we planned for 2 weeks, but about half way in, we decided to extend 5 more days. All we are missing at home is higher than average rainfall anyway…fingers crossed.

I can’t help but admire the trees, plants, and sheer beauty of Colorado. I love the clean eating way of life here, it isn’t hard to find farm stands selling homegrown fruits and veggies. I find myself examining different produce and wondering, “Can I get this to grow at home?’’ Then make a mental note to google “growing pomegranate in zone 8”. I get to my Sister-in laws house and the first thing I see is her beautiful Peony bushes, we arrived just as they began to bloom profusely. “Google: Will Peony’s grow in zone 8?” My brother-in-law was a river rafting guide back in the day, so we got to raft twice during our visit. I had my trusty plant identifier app going, just couldn’t help myself. Russian Sage, Yes for zone 8! Colorado blue Columbine, nope for zone 8. And so it goes. Sis-in-law is an amazing cook, all fresh ingredients, organic, grilled, roasted, or steamed. My mind continually wanders to my raised garden plans waiting my return home.

So here we are, as I write this, we have one more full day here in Eagle. Monday morning, we drive to Santa Fe for 3 nights of camping and exploring. What gardening inspiration will I find there? Crossing my fingers that whatever we find, it will be able to survive Gardening zone 8.