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This post will document our leaving Colorado after my heart attack and our return to Texas. We were originally scheduled to leave Mountain Views on Tuesday Sept. 1st but since I was released from the hospital that morning, We decided to stay another couple of days and leave on Thursday. Since we had lots of reservations made to make the trip to Carthage Missouri, for the chapter rally there. Stella got busy, calling to cancel reservations as soon as we got back home. We both forgot about the Labor Day holiday weekend, so when she began calling to make reservations along the way to go back to Texas, she found no spaces open. Bummer...
We then changed our plans to leave on Sunday, after the holiday, but after many reminders that I had been told to go to a cardiologist as soon as I could, we decided to go as soon as we could locate someone to drive us. I was outvoted when I said I could drive and pull the trailer back to Texas. I called my friend Dan Mayer, who said he would drive us to Amarillo but asked us to meet him in South Fork, a short distance from Creede. Tom Mangum, among others, had already called and offered to help in any way he could, so I called Tom back and he said he would meet us in Amarillo and take us to Dickinson. Wow, what an awesome group of friends! That left me with only the drive to South Fork. I still contend that I could drive it, but again I was over ruled. That Stella is Tough! The next thing I knew was that Stella had run into our neighbors Joe and Elaine Lawler who are from Iowa and Joe insisted to drive us the 20 miles to South Fork. That fixes us up with drivers all the way!
We got up Friday morning to a crisp 50 degrees but as soon as the sun came up it warmed up. It was a great day to travel and we were soon in South Fork. Joe had a good time with the train horn on my truck along the way. It really echoes in the mountains!
Dan drove across the plains of Colorado and into New Mexico and even knew a good restaurant to stop in when we got to Raton NM. We enjoyed our lunch stop and continued on into Texas. I was sorry to see that there is no huge Welcome Back To Texas sign at the border at Texline but at any rate, we were back in Texas! After another couple-hundred miles we were in Amarillo. Both Dan and us had been to the Oasis RV Resort before, so we knew where we were going. Upon arrival, we were told to find a site and see the office in the morning. It didn't take long to hook up water and electric and throw the satellite out and we were set up!
Tom and Marti had booked a motel, so they came out to the park and we decided to go to the Big Texan Restaurant, home of the 72 oz. steak challenge. None of us wanted to try the huge steak but there was a young man that was making pretty good progress on one while we were there.
After a good night's sleep, we went by to pick up Tom at his motel and drop Dan off at the Enterprise office to pick up his rental to drive back to Pagosa Springs. We went back to pick up the trailer and of course, little Tramp. We were soon on our way to Mansfield TX to the Texan RV Ranch. We had lucked out and got the very last site in the park. This park is mostly long term use but it was easy in and out and had decent utilities.
Jennifer, Melissa and Ian came over to see us from Garland. We had a nice but short visit before going to the Spring Creek Barbecue restaurant for supper. We found a table in a banquet room that we had all to ourselves, so we were able to stay for a couple of hours visiting.It was nice to spend even a small amount of time with the girls and Ian. We went and added some fuel that we had found at a good price ($2.07 per gallon) before going home.
We pulled out in the morning about 8:30 and made very good time on the highway. There was a surprising amount of traffic on the road but it wasn't bad. Tom had never been to Sam's Original Restaurant in Fairfield, so we stopped and showed him what a great restaurant it is. We got there just after they shut the breakfast buffet down, so everything on the lunch buffet was fresh as could be. We enjoyed our lunch but were on the road again soon. Traffic continued to be heavy but moving right along until we got into Houston. And the backups came... Actually we never came to a stop but the crazies were out in force. Tom had been enjoying the train horn as we met or passed real trains and a couple of them returned his honks, but he really didn't get that much of a chance to use it in Houston.
We got into Dickinson about 3:30 and were pulled into the site and hooked up in short order. Tom's brother Charlie came to pick him up to take him to meet Marti in Schulenberg to go back home. It had been a very uneventful trip, and let me say it one more time, OUR FRIENDS ARE AWESOME!!!
I have an appointment with a cardiologist on Tuesday, so we'll see what he has to say and we'll go from there. Please continue to pray for me and wish me luck.
So long.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Monday August 31, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge Resort
No pictures today, but you'll soon see why.
Today was a pretty laid back rest day and we didn't do anything special. Since we've been chauffeuring Mike and Peg around, they've been fixing supper for all of us, which we've really enjoyed.
I felt bad all evening and went to bed at the normal time-about 10 o'clock. My chest had been tight, but upon laying down, it really hurt, with a crushing pain. I was too uncomfortable to stay in bed and got up and went back to my trusty recliner. It didn't get any better there and I started to feel clammy. I decided to call an ambulance. It seemed like seconds went by before Mark, a paramedic, showed up. He came in and began getting my vital signs and preparing me for transport. When he began taking my blood pressure, the first thing he said was "WOW"! He then took it again and said his meter only went to 240. Wow indeed! The rest of the crew soon arrived and brought in a machine to record an EKG as well as blood pressure. The first reading on it was 240/192!!
After finishing up the vitals, we were ready to go. I was soon loaded up into the ambulance. Stella decided to ride in the ambulance too, and Mike and Peg drove over to the hospital for comfort and support. Actually Peggy drove and Mike rode along. At any rate, we were glad they were there. I was given more baby aspirin before leaving home and Mark soon contacted the hospital for treatment orders. He started an IV in my arm and gave me saline solution drip and gave me a nitro pill and oxygen and continued to monitor my condition.
After what seemed like 3 hours on a 40 mile, very bumpy road, we arrived at the Rio Grande hospital in Del Norte. This is a nice hospital with a very skilled team in the emergency room. I was wheeled into Trauma 1 and Nurse Kayla took over. My BP had come down to 190/134 but my heartbeat was 194! Double WOW! As someone who is never seriously sick and hasn't been in a hospital for 50 years or so, this was very scary!
Dr. Robins came in and took over. One of the first meds that he ordered for me was an injected medicine that would momentarily stop my heart to get the heart rate down. After explaining to me what he intended to do, he asked Mark and the ambulance crew if they wanted to watch this procedure. They did and just as the doctor was administering the drug, I looked up and saw what seemed to be a roomful of people there to watch me die! Not really, but it did cross my mind. Let me tell you, it WAS a weird feeling but it did the trick! I never actually felt my heart stop but my rate dropped to about 130, a manageable level.
To make a long story short, about 1 o'clock, I was at a level that was acceptable. High but acceptable. Mike and Peg took Stella back home and I tried to settle in for the rest of the night. That $15,000 hospital bed was very uncomfortable! I was hooked up to a monitor that also took my BP, two IV ports in my wrists along with bright lights. Nurse Kayla came in and covered me with a warm blanket and adjusted everything including turning out most of the lights so I could sleep. I wasn't admitted because this hospital has no Cardio specialist on staff and that is what I need.
They came in about 6:30 to draw more blood for testing. I tried to sleep again but could only nap. The doctor came in around 7:30 and said that he had found something in my blood sample that he didn't like and he wanted to do another blood draw to recheck it.
After the second blood draw, Dr. Robins came in and told me that he had consulted with the cardiologist in Pueblo and they determined that I could be released to go home. My choices were to be airlifted to Pueblo or to go home to see my own doctor there. You can see what my choice was.
We came on back home and began changing our travel plans. It was soon apparent that since this is a holiday weekend, we would not easily find any place to stay, so we decided to just stay here in Creede until Sunday and return to Dickinson. Kim is working on finding a cardiologist in the area.
Since I am writing this on Wednesday, I will tell you that I had a good night's sleep last night and feel great this morning. I started taking a new medicine for my blood pressure and heart rate this morning and am feeling like my old self again. I took Stella to the grocery store yesterday and went for a couple of walks around the park this morning. Mike and Peg pulled out to head to Carthage MO for the rally. We will have to miss it. Bummer.
So long.
Today was a pretty laid back rest day and we didn't do anything special. Since we've been chauffeuring Mike and Peg around, they've been fixing supper for all of us, which we've really enjoyed.
I felt bad all evening and went to bed at the normal time-about 10 o'clock. My chest had been tight, but upon laying down, it really hurt, with a crushing pain. I was too uncomfortable to stay in bed and got up and went back to my trusty recliner. It didn't get any better there and I started to feel clammy. I decided to call an ambulance. It seemed like seconds went by before Mark, a paramedic, showed up. He came in and began getting my vital signs and preparing me for transport. When he began taking my blood pressure, the first thing he said was "WOW"! He then took it again and said his meter only went to 240. Wow indeed! The rest of the crew soon arrived and brought in a machine to record an EKG as well as blood pressure. The first reading on it was 240/192!!
After finishing up the vitals, we were ready to go. I was soon loaded up into the ambulance. Stella decided to ride in the ambulance too, and Mike and Peg drove over to the hospital for comfort and support. Actually Peggy drove and Mike rode along. At any rate, we were glad they were there. I was given more baby aspirin before leaving home and Mark soon contacted the hospital for treatment orders. He started an IV in my arm and gave me saline solution drip and gave me a nitro pill and oxygen and continued to monitor my condition.
After what seemed like 3 hours on a 40 mile, very bumpy road, we arrived at the Rio Grande hospital in Del Norte. This is a nice hospital with a very skilled team in the emergency room. I was wheeled into Trauma 1 and Nurse Kayla took over. My BP had come down to 190/134 but my heartbeat was 194! Double WOW! As someone who is never seriously sick and hasn't been in a hospital for 50 years or so, this was very scary!
Dr. Robins came in and took over. One of the first meds that he ordered for me was an injected medicine that would momentarily stop my heart to get the heart rate down. After explaining to me what he intended to do, he asked Mark and the ambulance crew if they wanted to watch this procedure. They did and just as the doctor was administering the drug, I looked up and saw what seemed to be a roomful of people there to watch me die! Not really, but it did cross my mind. Let me tell you, it WAS a weird feeling but it did the trick! I never actually felt my heart stop but my rate dropped to about 130, a manageable level.
To make a long story short, about 1 o'clock, I was at a level that was acceptable. High but acceptable. Mike and Peg took Stella back home and I tried to settle in for the rest of the night. That $15,000 hospital bed was very uncomfortable! I was hooked up to a monitor that also took my BP, two IV ports in my wrists along with bright lights. Nurse Kayla came in and covered me with a warm blanket and adjusted everything including turning out most of the lights so I could sleep. I wasn't admitted because this hospital has no Cardio specialist on staff and that is what I need.
They came in about 6:30 to draw more blood for testing. I tried to sleep again but could only nap. The doctor came in around 7:30 and said that he had found something in my blood sample that he didn't like and he wanted to do another blood draw to recheck it.
After the second blood draw, Dr. Robins came in and told me that he had consulted with the cardiologist in Pueblo and they determined that I could be released to go home. My choices were to be airlifted to Pueblo or to go home to see my own doctor there. You can see what my choice was.
We came on back home and began changing our travel plans. It was soon apparent that since this is a holiday weekend, we would not easily find any place to stay, so we decided to just stay here in Creede until Sunday and return to Dickinson. Kim is working on finding a cardiologist in the area.
Since I am writing this on Wednesday, I will tell you that I had a good night's sleep last night and feel great this morning. I started taking a new medicine for my blood pressure and heart rate this morning and am feeling like my old self again. I took Stella to the grocery store yesterday and went for a couple of walks around the park this morning. Mike and Peg pulled out to head to Carthage MO for the rally. We will have to miss it. Bummer.
So long.
Sunday August 30, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge
We took Mike and Peg up to the reservoirs on the Rio Grande today. It's a long but beautiful drive.
This is one spot along the Rio Grande that is very typical of the views along the river.
This is near the end of the road. Actually it runs on much further, but it is narrow and 4 wheel drive is recommended.
The tall mountain is where the actual springs for the river are found. Maybe someday we'll take a Jeep or ATV trip there.
So long.
This is the largest of the three reservoirs. It runs for miles and ends at a dam.
Please don't fall !!
Beautiful mountains at the end of the road!
This should be a Ram commercial
So long.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Friday August 28, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge
We took Mike and Peg on a drive up the Bachelor loop and Pool Table Mountain today. As always, it was a spectacular drive and the pictures don't do justice to the views we got.
It was a beautiful day for a drive, with very little traffic. We drove up here with Dave and Nancy a few weeks ago but there were lots of ATV's, a tent where someone had been camping and even a truck bringing a small travel trailer up to spend some time camping in the mountains but none of that today. The first time we found a herd of mountain goats but this time we only met a herd of cows. I guess you can't see wildlife every time.
It's a gorgeous drive and we can't wait to return.
So long.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Thursday August 27, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge Resort
We took Mike and Peg on a drive up to the old gold mine that is located above the Mining Museum. The Museum is underground in another part of the mine. It is also used as a Community Center and adjacent to the Creede Volunteer Fire Dept. also underground.
The road is dirt and gravel but well kept. The higher you drive, the narrower the road becomes.
Take yourself back in time and imagine building the roads and buildings using manual labor and on horseback. Not to mention the drilling equipment!
There are lots of old building remaining.
This old place has seen it's best days for sure.
The black areas are supports for roads or possibly rail lines for the mining equipment. Again, remember that this was all built by hand.
It's hard to imagine what this area was like when the mine(s) were in operation.
Breathtaking views!
Please don't tell the EPA where this is. They'll send a crew over to work on the old mine and before you know it, another toxic spill!
So long.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tuesday August 25, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge Resort
We've been just hanging out and relaxing and enjoying the great weather. We've gone for a couple of rides out into the mountains and I will have some new photos to post soon.
Yesterday a neighbor came in pulling a 2012 Landmark with the exact same floorplan that we have. Dana and his wife Carol are from Austin TX and are here for a short time.
Today our friends Mike and Peg arrived here. They were escorted to their by a park employee who also offered to help Mike get parked. After a bit of time I went over to see if I could help. The park employee soon gave up and in short order, Mike was parked. Soon after beginning the set-up procedures, Mike found that his batteries were low but he found a circuit breaker that he reset and everything seems to be working now.
Stella had fixed a large pot of soup, so I invited Dana and Carol to eat with Mike and Peg and us and we had a very enjoyable meal. It was nice to get to know Dana and Carol and I expect we'll spend more time with them in the next few days.
A Cyclone toy hauler trailer came a couple of days ago, but I haven't been able to catch them at home to introduce myself. There are lots of outdoor activities here and people with a short time to spend here don't spend a lot of time at their trailer. When Mike and Peg pulled in another Bighorn pulled in right behind them, so there is another person that I will try to meet. Hey, it keeps me out of the saloons...
So long.
Yesterday a neighbor came in pulling a 2012 Landmark with the exact same floorplan that we have. Dana and his wife Carol are from Austin TX and are here for a short time.
Today our friends Mike and Peg arrived here. They were escorted to their by a park employee who also offered to help Mike get parked. After a bit of time I went over to see if I could help. The park employee soon gave up and in short order, Mike was parked. Soon after beginning the set-up procedures, Mike found that his batteries were low but he found a circuit breaker that he reset and everything seems to be working now.
Stella had fixed a large pot of soup, so I invited Dana and Carol to eat with Mike and Peg and us and we had a very enjoyable meal. It was nice to get to know Dana and Carol and I expect we'll spend more time with them in the next few days.
A Cyclone toy hauler trailer came a couple of days ago, but I haven't been able to catch them at home to introduce myself. There are lots of outdoor activities here and people with a short time to spend here don't spend a lot of time at their trailer. When Mike and Peg pulled in another Bighorn pulled in right behind them, so there is another person that I will try to meet. Hey, it keeps me out of the saloons...
So long.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Saturday August 1, 2015-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge RV Resort
We had a great Last Supper with Dave and Nancy last night at the Cottonwood Cove. This place is a guest ranch, cabin rental and RV park, as well as a very good restaurant. The business was established in 1943 and the building appears to be original. Stella and I have eaten here before but Dave and Nancy had not. We enjoyed our meal with our good friends and we came back home where Stella fixed us her recipe of fried ice cream and it turned out stupendous! We stayed outside until the daily rain clouds threatened.
Dave came out a little after 8 to finish up his putting away and packing to leave this morning and I just watched him work. He had done most everything last night, so it didn't take him long to get finished. They were hooked up and ready to go a bit after 9. After hugs and handshakes, they were on their way out of the park and on their way to New Mexico for the night. We are sorry to see them go, but they've been gone from home almost 4 months. We'll make full timers out of them yet!
We had so much fun with them this month! We explored lots of scenic areas and saw awesome sights including moose and deer. We will definitely return here at some point in the future. They still have some things, like their Internet service that needs improvement. I complained about it the last time we stayed here and they have made some progress but it can still be better.
Stella made some great corn chowder made with fresh Olathe sweet corn. Colorado is about the only place that we've found Olathe corn and we always love it. Thank goodness for Internet recipes!
So long.
Dave came out a little after 8 to finish up his putting away and packing to leave this morning and I just watched him work. He had done most everything last night, so it didn't take him long to get finished. They were hooked up and ready to go a bit after 9. After hugs and handshakes, they were on their way out of the park and on their way to New Mexico for the night. We are sorry to see them go, but they've been gone from home almost 4 months. We'll make full timers out of them yet!
We had so much fun with them this month! We explored lots of scenic areas and saw awesome sights including moose and deer. We will definitely return here at some point in the future. They still have some things, like their Internet service that needs improvement. I complained about it the last time we stayed here and they have made some progress but it can still be better.
Stella made some great corn chowder made with fresh Olathe sweet corn. Colorado is about the only place that we've found Olathe corn and we always love it. Thank goodness for Internet recipes!
So long.
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