Our Summer Trips before the Big Trip

We originally intended to rent our house in June and July to take advantage of the short-term rental market in Coronado where you can earn 2X or 3X a normal month’s rent.  I listed the house furnished on VRBO at the end of January and had a couple of potential interests, but no commitments.  In late March, I listed it unfurnished for the year beginning August 2017.  Within 3 days I had booked 8 showings and took the listing back down.  Of the 8 showings we got 5 full price offers which surprisingly were mostly empty nesters.  We decided to rent to a couple moving from Tucson who reminded me a bit of me and Jeff 10 years ago or so.  In order to get the house, they offered higher rent and to begin the lease in June.  That worked out for us and so we were set. 

However, we had set up our travel schedules in such a way that we could come back to the house at the beginning and end of both June and July to move VRBO renters in and out.  Therefore we started traveling at the end of May but not yet with Sally and Betty and not even together....

Emily visits with the Reeds for Memorial Day

On our way to Salida, CO

I had one more set of skis and Jeff’s winter ski wear to deliver to Colorado, so I headed out on May 25 for a week-long visit.  I was able to join them on their long weekend trip to Salida, CO.

Salida is one of the Reed’s favorite getaway towns.  They have a bluegrass festival and white-water rapids competition every year at this time, so the town is probably double its normal size.  The Arkansas river runs right through town which provides the white-water activities.  My favorite times were had hanging out with the kids and enjoying Scott and Paula's favorite watering holes.


One Cool Dude



On this particular weekend, it also provided Hallie with her first swimming experience!  While on a walk with Scott and Chase, Hallie was very curious of the river.  Being a Goldendoodle, she is supposed to be a water dog, so I suppose her instincts took over and she jumped in.  However, she wasn’t sure what to do next and Scott had to drag her back out of the river.


We all enjoyed the music, wine and great food.  Jeff would be the next to visit the Reeds in June and then we will meet up with Scott and Paula in Panama in July.  Chase and Carly were great as usual.  They adore Hallie and generally take pretty good care of her.  Chase is a rising 7th grader and Carly will be in 4th grade next year.  They grow up so fast.



Hallie sitting on Carly
 What a good girl!











Since the kids were out of school with no camps planned.  We got to have Camp Auntie Em for a couple of days.  This included a little bit of studying and a whole lot of dog walking.  Finally, Scott and Paula treated me to some amazing home cooked meals and some cool new local hangouts.  What fun!



A new brew pub that is SO CO!

Jeff travels to NY for Isabelle’s Graduation


Hand made card from Dad
Isabelle with her fellow graduates

Isabelle graduated on May 30 from Brooklyn College with a degree in Urban Sustainability.  Jeff was very proud of her accomplishment and enjoyed spending some time with her in Brooklyn before the ceremony. 

Spencer and Isabelle's Mom also joined and the entire family celebrated with her, together for the first time in 6 years.  


Jeff later flew down to Virginia to visit with his Mom and Jim.  Spencer and Bouncy came up from South Carolina for a weekend.  Elaine was thrilled to have them and reported that all of her friends thought that they were both handsome men.






We are thankful for our friends, Jeff and Debbi Kirkpatrick who let us stay at their home in Coronado as we were coming and going on these mid-summer trips.  They bought our old Coronado house as their vacation home and have been very generous (and a lot of fun to hang out with) ever since!

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