Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Side trip to Austin

Our long time friend Roxanne grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado in Paonia. We went on lots of backpacking trips with her in the mountains back when we all had a whole lot more energy!  To us, there wasn’t even the remote possibility that Roxanne could call anywhere else home. 

Then along came Ira from Texas.  For many years Ira would make the trek to Roxanne’s world, which was then Vail.  He was tenacious in his pursuit of her.  Roxanne finally agreed to share her life with Ira as long as he understood Colorado would always be a part time home.

The years passed quickly as they do nowadays.  Now,  Austin, Texas is Roxanne’s home too.  Both Roxanne and Ira are dedicated conservationists, into permaculture and sustainable agriculture themselves and into helping others help the earth through a center they have built on their land in Austin.  Ira is running for county commissioner on his favorite platform – saving the Edwards aquifer in the face of ever- increased demands.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a neighbor to Roxanne and Ira.  It seemed to be a perfect time of year to visit the Center as well as Ira and Roxanne.

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The Indian Paintbrush was prolific while the blue bonnets were on their way out for the season.

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The cactus was just starting to bloom.

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A more gentrified garden.

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Jennifer has developed this sustainable garden for Roxanne and Ira. He she is in front of Roxanne’s new greenhouse.  Roxanne has become a beekeeper as part of this venture.

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It was wonderful to see Roxanne’s life now in Texas.  She seems to have struck a wonderful balance. She and Ira are busy doing wonderful things for themselves and for the land where they live.

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