our journey, part two: denver~cleveland

because of my extreme urgency to see my dear sweet sister, traci, glenn was a star pilot and drove straight through from denver to cleveland!

we have tried to stop at as many parks as possible along the way.

the girls saw fireflies for the first time.

it was magical!

my dry, parched, soutwestern colorado body has really been enjoying all of the midwestern moisture. i am like a dry sponge, soaking up as much water as i can... i don't need chap stick and i hardly even need lotion.

the mighty mississippi

the ubiquitous crop field

and all of these big, green, leafy trees! also so different from where we live...

i am deeply, desperately, overwhelmingly in love with my little nephew, john. it was heart-wrenching to leave him.

look at that smile!

the girls were so good with him.

the infamous traci

hazel with aunt traci's flowers

and uncle mike with everyone (including little sophia from down the street)

uncle mike took the girls to the build-a-bear factory

and to a cute little toddler amusement park

hazel and june had so much fun!

and i had a wonderful time at the ezra furman show with traci!

he even played a little acoustic set outside by himself, with an audience of about 10 people.

i made him a silver guitar pick (it said one of his lyrics, "my heart sings with sunrise") and he was touched. we actually ended up having a really sweet conversation for about an hour; it was very nice.

(please note traci's new ring, with a lovely blue lace agate, her favorite stone)

i miss you, traci! thank you so very much for everything!