Saturday, June 5, 2010

Vacation Oh Wonderful Vacation

Pictures are here.

Up until now we've been a little silent on this Pagosa Springs vacation. We've just been too darn busy having fun! :-) We've hiked familiar trails like the one to Treasure Falls - Ice Cave Ridge and Piedra falls - and four brave souls ventured out on a new one to see what lay at the of trail to Four Mile Falls. On the way you notice Isaac had to hold up a tree so that everyone could get past. Way to go big guy! On this vacation we were joined by Eric and Deanna Martens and their children, Dave and Stacy Lentz and their children (all first timers to the Pagosa Springs area) and Ben , Zach and Joe were back to have some more fun before heading off to the navy and college. We were very happy that they could all share this special place and time with us - and we hope they all had fun.

This week in Pagosa Springs we stayed in Eagle's lofts and in Teal landings - met for a couple of meals - and everybody enjoyed doing some things together - but mostly did their own thing. (We hardly saw the older boys at all - which is how it was supposed to be on their senior trip LOL). The blue grass festival was just kicking off as we all were packin' up. A few took in the free concert.

One family went to Mesa Verde - I hear they had a wonderful time. If they blog as a group - I will have them link their blog to here.

Of the Hikes - Nicole still hasn't told me which one she liked best - I think she'll get back to me on that, but not the one that just went Up - up - up (ice cave ridge).

I didn't go on as many hikes as usual - but hopefully next time I will be fit as a fiddle and ready to go on them all. Of the ones I did this year - I liked the Ice Cave Ridge. I always seem to find something new up there on the ridge to see. Although this year I did not do any crazy dances on the edge. I stayed well back.

The kids also had a lot of fun at the rec center. I heard that some even tried out the racket ball court.

Our deck had a great view of the lake and a great mix of shade and sun so we were able to use it a good part of the day. A wonderful place to relax and read. I'm finished with all of the books that I brought along!


Until the next vacation - I don't know where that will be!

Amy & Matt

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Chunks of Pagosa

If you zoom out a bit on this map - you'll see that Pagosa Springs is a city that spreads out along highway 160 - and it's basically in two big "chunks".
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.0004868e632274ca4f160&z=15

When you're coming into town from the east - you hit the downtown area first.  This is where most of the touristy stuff is (souvenier shops, visitor center [a great place to get lots of info], the hot springs and spa, theater, river walk, and the resevoir hill hiking trails [featuring the beautiful San Juan Mountains overlook].

Then you keep heading down (and up) 160 for about 4 miles and you'll get to the resort area.  Golf courses, condos, restaurants, grocery store, etc.  That - of course - is where our condos are.  Give us a call when you're getting into town and we'll guide your way in! 

Monday, May 17, 2010

Where ya' hikin'?

Link to info about the area - http://www.visitpagosasprings.com/

We are big fans of hiking trails that can be as easy or vigorous as you want it to be.
We especially like the ones with a reward at the end – a beautiful view or waterfall!
We’ll plan and lead a hike every day for those who want to come along!

http://visitpagosasprings.com/colorado/activities/colorado-summer-vacation/hiking

Thoughts for hikes and days (depending on the weather and our whims!)
- Sunday - Resevoir Hill (if everyone hasn't arrived yet) OR Treasure Falls/Pagosa Overlook (if everyone has arrived)
- Monday - Reservoir Hill or Treasure Falls/Pagosa Overlook
- Tuesday - Piedra River - a "short version" and "long version" (for those wanting a challenge)
- Wednesday - Piedra Falls - our "longest drive for the shortest hike" that is worth every mile
- Thursday - Lobo Overlook/Continental Divide - this is the "challenging one"
- Friday - Ice Cave Ridge - ice and snow in June - yes indeed.  And one mighty fine vista up on the cliff.

If there is any interest - we can do a little geocaching...
http://www.geocaching.com/
Pagosa area caches...
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=37.26945&lng=-107.0097617&dist=25

An alternative route...

For those who'd like to avoid driving in Denver metro area and the mountains (except for a little bit over Wolf Creek Pass - you can't avoid that)...I offer this Google map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.000486d5207717b523701&z=6

Basically it takes a left from Interstate 76 onto a very lonely highway 71 (fill with gas before you hit it because there's nothing for almost 100 miles) and it gets back on Interstate 25 on the south end of Colorado Springs.

There's even a tiny little burg at the intersection of Highway 71 and 36 called "Last Chance...".

Pagosa Vacation 2010 - random info


Weather and Clothes - Main advice is dress in layers and be prepared to layer on or peel off.  When the sun is out it's plenty warm (especially if you are hiking hard).  But when it's not it can be downright chilly (and always is first thing in the morning and after the sun goes down).  Our hikes aren't too crazy - so a supportive pair of tennis shoes (that you don't mind getting dirty) will do.  If you have hiking boots - of course - they will make your feet happier...

Sun and Bugs - bring sunscreen and bug lotion/spray.  You'll need both.

Cell phone coverage - it's pretty good around the main roads - but once we get off the beaten path - it's very iffy (few cell towers and lots of mountains to get in the way)

Altitude change - Pagosa is around 8000-9000 feet (and one hike takes us up to 10800).  Watertown is about 1700 feet high.  So you will notice that a couple of things...
1) Any toiletries that are in bottles or tubes (shampoo, sunscreen, etc.) will swell up with the change in altitude.  make sure you have them all in plastic bags or you just may have a nice mess on your hands (and clothes and stuff).  They seem to do it both going up and coming down.  
2) You will get winded faster - keep hydrated and take breaks when you need them.  Don't push so hard you hyperventilate or pass out.  We don't want to be carrying anyone!

Condo goodies
- Washers and Dryers - bring less clothes because you can easily wash/dry with the over & under units in the condo.  Wash every day if you like - we typically do a small load every day!
- Dishwasher - they all have a dishwasher and give you enough detergent capsules to run a load a day.
- Flat screen TVs and DVD players - also a CD player/radio
- Toasters/blenders/crock pots/ice makers - These are all in the condo or available to us.  If you don't see it - we can ask the front desk - they are verrry accomodating.  Bring your favorite recipes (or hook into recipes.com...)
- Linens and pillows and stuff - Linens, Pillows, Towels, Washcloths are provided.  If you have a favorite pillow - bring it.
- Swimming pools and hot tubs - bring your suits and if you have swim towels you like - bring them - they're nicer than the ones they provide, typically.

Around town
- There is a Wells Fargo bank in town - and several others with ATMs.
- Golfer?  Bring your clubs because there are three 18 hole courses right on and around the resort.
- Grocery store, gas stations and restaurants are nearby.  You can get a free Kroger customer card at the grocery store which will save you money in the store and at their affiliated gas station.
- Choke Cherry Tree - awesome little shop where they make a bunch of delicious stuff that make great gifts.  Free samples abound...especially their home-made caramels...
- Pagosa Springs hot springs and spa - Pagosa's original claim to fame is the hot springs (one definition of "Pagosa" means "stinky waters") and they have a neat setup - with 12 different pools of different temperatures (from one down by the river [brrr] to one called the Lobster Pot).  It's very relaxing and would be a treat for moms and dads...
Sunday Night
- Sunday evening at 6 they have an event by the registration desk where various area people/vendors show and tell about their wares and they give away free stuff.  Attendance is totally optional - but it's fun if you've never done it before and want a chance to win some free swag.  (examples of past stuff we've won - bag of caramels, ticket to Pagosa Springs Hot Springs, horse-drawn wagon ride and cowboy supper, gift certificate)

Check out this posting and more at...
http://weseloh-vacation.blogspot.com

Friday, May 14, 2010

Summer 2010 Colorado Plans

Information for Family and Friends!

Google Map for the Resort and Area
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.0004868e632274ca4f160&ll=37.263884,-107.077571&spn=0.012876,0.019248&t=h&z=16

We'll be staying in the Teal Landing and Eagle's Loft condos.
The condo's have wi-fi in each unit - so we'll be updating this blog with vacation info as it happens!

Google Map for travel and highlighted attractions
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.00044b64c26e223ea2e9e&t=h&z=6

Friday, January 22, 2010

Notes from Austin Preview Trip

Notes from Austin Preview Trip

Matt and Amy Weseloh

January 2010

 

We took a preview trip to Austin, Texas from January 16th to January 20th 2010.

Why? Matt's employer is centralizing to Austin and has offered a relocation option.

 

The Situation

Matt and Amy Weseloh (and family) live in Watertown, South Dakota.

Their oldest son attends college in Watertown.

Their middle son is a Senior at a local church-based private high school.

Their youngest son is a freshman at a local church-based private high school.

 

They have previously lived in the Dallas Texas area from 1998 to 2005.

 

The Trip Goals

1) Experience Austin firsthand

2) Learn about real estate in the area

3) Learn about the high schools in the area

4) Learn about churches in the area

5) Learn about the employer site


Results

1) Experience Austin Firsthand

We timed our trip so that it included a holiday and would give us one more day to explore the area.  We had both time and budget constraints for this preview trip so our choices (free and cheap) reflect that.

 

There's a lot of free and cheap available in Austin - by the way!

 

First of all - look at our Google Map for highlighted places we experienced.


 

Second of all - review our pictures and their captions



 

Third - get an Austin Visitor's kit from the Austin Visitor's Center


We also recommend getting the GoLocal Austin card which entitles you to discounts at many area merchants and restaurants.

You can either get a card online through the Visitor's Center "Deluxe Visitor's Package" (that's what we did) or pick one up at almost any merchant that lets you use one.


An excellent map for visitors is this one (which we picked up at the Visitor's Center on 6th Street)
http://www.mapamerica.com/Austin

 

As you can see

- we dined (at a lot of unique, neat and not too expensive places - and we just scratched the surface)

- we drove (all around the Austin area in all kinds of traffic - it's all there depending on where and when you're going)

- we hiked (a tiny bit around Mount Bonnell and downtown - and found there are miles and miles of opportunity in and around Austin)

- we listened (we caught free live music at the airport, at Hickory Street Bar and Grill and Flipnotics Coffeespace)

- we watched (a movie at Alamo Drafhouse, people in general - Austin is a melting pot)

- we worshipped (at Holy Word Lutheran in Austin)

We got re-aquainted with both Texas drivers (fast - turn signals optional) and Texas roads (Texas exits/entrances and the unique u-turns under overpasses).


FYI - Our GPS was an invaluable tool to find all of our destinations.

There's a lot of being in the right (or left) lane at the right time...

There are some toll roads - so have some spare change along just in case it's on your way somewhere.

We managed to avoid all of them.

 


One of Austin's slogans is "Keep Austin Wierd".  That's about right - the uniqueness (or wierdness) shows up in all sorts of places.


2) Learn about real estate in the area

We had two realtors recommended to us before our trip and we had both of them "show us around" both the area and a few selected homes that were for sale - just so we could get a feel for things.  We had too many unknowns to get really specific - but it was a very useful few hours spent with each.

 

Here is their contact info:

Jay Ferguson (recommended by company people who moved to Austin last year from Oregon)

Relocation Specialist, CNE

Keller Williams Realty

ph. 512 844 4065



 

Mary Patterson (recommended by local people in the church)

Realtor, GRI, ABR, ASP

Keller Williams Realty

ph. 512 689 4264


 

We were impressed by both and would be happy leveraging either one as we pursue things further.

Because of her affiliation with our church (Mary is the pastor's wife) we will probably continue with her.

We found each to have their own approach and opinions (of course). 

 

We received some PDFs of pertinent area information from Jay and I've put them in the Google docs folder.  

- Austin Area Map

- ActivitiesAndFamilyFun

- 100ThingsToDoInAustin

- Parks and Nature Preserves

 

3) Learn about the high schools in the area

We gathered lots of opinions about the schools in the area and combined it with the information online about the schools.

 

We wanted to get real information from real parents of students in the schools - so we tapped into both corporate employees and parents with high school age kids at the area churches.  This is just the beginning of this information gathering process.  It's a little more intensive for us because we're coming out of a small and private school situation - and are looking at the large and public schools.

 

We understand - so far -

- Your public school is directly connected to your homes location

- Since the population (and tax base) is growing - they are bulding/expanding the schools on the north/west sides constantly

- Different schools have specialties - medical, engineering, fine arts, science, etc. - and of course sports

- A new high school typically is filled by taking the new students and building it one grade at a time (instead of forcing kids to move from existing schools)

- There are LOTS of extracurricular opportunities

 

Here are some more PDFs of school information as well

- School District Links

- SchoolDistrictsMap

- Private schools List 2008-09 Suzzane

 

4) Learn about churches in the area

Our church family is very important to us and we learned in advance that we have several congregations (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)  in the Austin area.

 

We attended one on the Sunday morning (Holy Word) after we arrived and visited others.  The Google map shows where they are located.

Contact me to find out more about the WELS churches or look them up on www.wels.net.

 

We found that the church family is a terrific way to learn about the area in advance of your visit.  People are very willing to offer their honest and real-world opinions and suggestions.

 

5) Learn about the employer site

I was able to tap into some employees who have recently gone through the relocation process to Austin (moving from Corvallis, Oregon in 2009)

 

These two people responded to my request for information and were very helpful.

- Slezak, Lee J

- Johnson, Michael A (Java Guru)

 

The employer site is an old Tandem computers corporate facility and hasn't entirely undergone the transition to the corporate standards trumpeted by our real estate folks.  It's a comparatively small site (compared to Plano's building) and has a wide variety of office and cube styles.  On the first floor I saw the IT executives offices (very nice), a bunch of inside corridor offices (very reminiscent of the old EDS Education building offices in plano), cubes with half-high community walls (like you'd see in a call center) and full-height cubes.  There were also some first-come, first-served mini-rooms where an employee or leader can go to have a private conference call with network access.  There is an employee cafeteria (very small with limited hours) and an on-site exercise room and outdoor pool.  Neither of my contacts have used them or seen anyone using them.

 

The road to the site is in pretty poor shape and the signs are pretty run-down.  Perhaps we're trying to keep a low-key presence since we have a high-tech datacenter next to the office buildling (and behind all the guards and big fences).