It was a cold, rainy, foggy "bad-hair"" day when Ruth M'Gonigle and Ana Behm had a mini-meeting of the GGLG sisterhood. First, lunch at Panera Bread, then a nature walk through Roxborough State Park. Nearly empty on a drizzly Sunday, the park was muted and misty, and Ruth chose the valley trail because long-distance vistas were almost completely shrouded. This 2-mile loop winds around red rock formations, breathtaking in their own right. Although they didn't encounter a soul to snap pictures of the two of them, they managed to get a lot of "arm's length" double shots. And they did encounter a herd of about 15-20 deer and a friendly fox. (Hope he was a great gray fox - ya think?)
From the moment Ruth entered the restaurant, and Ana gave her a hug, they knew they were on their way to true silver sisterhood! They laughed a lot, discussed "all things gray," including much talk about the site and the great support they found here, and discovered their new knowledge of products would be a great thing to share with other women. They even poked a little fun at "The Hair Color Xperts Salon," Ruth pointing proudly to her Going Gray, Looking Great baseball cap!
Ana said "I am so glad I met Ruth. I love her. She is funny, witty and so so nice." Ruth echoed that with "Ana is a very cool person. I was so impressed with her accomplishments. When she makes a decision to do something, nothing can stop her. When she decided to move to Colorado from Venezuela, she did it. When she decided to get a masters degree, she did it. And when she decided to stop dying her hair, she did it."
Neither had any trouble finding things to talk about. Between the location, taking pictures with gglg in mind, and learning a bit more about each other, Ruth says "we were pretty much talking the whole route!"
They're definitely going to get together again, hopefully to celebrate the end of their transition. Through our wonderful sisterhood, new friendships are formed!
At the end of the day, smiles all around. Even though they said they had “hat hair!”
Ladies,
First: You all look wonderful! Thanks so much for making my morning! You put a smile on my face.
Second: Where can I get a hat like yours? GGLG baseball cap that is?
Third: Anybody in the Northeast, Midatlantic region want to try to get together? Or did you already and I missed it?
Again, what beautiful pictures! And the scenery was okay too! 
Posted by on 10/20 at 06:27 AM
First of all WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THOSE HATS??????? I am so envious of the two of you. What a wonderful set of photos of two glorious silver-haired ladies, and the scenery was beautiful also. 
Posted by on 10/20 at 06:36 AM
It was so much fun! Like some of the Southern California gals have said, it was instant like! It was like we knew each other already. We talked non-stop for 4 hours! I recommend everyone has a mini get together. And if you are the only one in your region, then invite people to join GGLG, and then have a reunion 
The hats were gifts from Diana, Isn’t she nice! It was a great surprise and a nifty way to have her (and all of you) there with us.
AnaB
Posted by on 10/20 at 06:51 AM
What a blast! Thanks for sharing with all of us your visit. The scenery AND the hair...gorgeous! ~Karen
Posted by on 10/20 at 07:01 AM
Love these pictures! The one in front of the “The Hair Color Experts” is classic! And the pictures in Roxborough State Park are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by on 10/20 at 07:11 AM
Lulubell and Mary—I had these hats made up for events. Have an event, I’ll send hats! 
In the meantime, I’m also working on ways to offer them for sale. Can’t do it on the site just yet, but will look into things like Ebay or maybe a yahoo store. Still checking that out. I’ll get back to you guys.
Posted by on 10/20 at 07:31 AM
Thanks Diana, Ana, and Ruth for sharing the pictures and stories. :o)
Posted by on 10/20 at 07:34 AM
You two look radiant. What a great place you had to meet. Beautiful. Thanks for the pics. And the hats are cool. I love mine. 
There are only seven of those hats being worn, oh, maybe eight, Diana, do you wear one? in the world, yes?
Posted by on 10/20 at 07:47 AM
Now what do you think, Sallee? Of course I have one! And wear it proudly, every chance I get! I’ve even been stopped by great grays on the street wanting one. They’re nice, because the letters are embroidered on, not printed. Guess I better get those enbroiderers crankin’!
Posted by on 10/20 at 08:02 AM
Oh, okay, silly question, but really, some women don’t like to wear hats, but mine will get a lot of use and hopefully the site will get lots of exposure! Diana, I hope some of the other silver sisters do a get together, it really was fantastic and we do all have a bond to start out with, so meeting each other just felt comfortable. So, everyone else out there, where ever you may be, just do it. Or if you can’t at the moment, I hope as many of us that possibly can are attending the June New York “gathering”. I want to meet all my “sisters”
Posted by on 10/20 at 08:15 AM
LADIES YOU BOTH LOOK WONDERFUL!! Love the pictures and the story! How exciting that you were able to get together and get to know each other! Ana, your skin looks amazing and your pure natural hair color compliments it perfectly! Ruth...LOOK at those eyes...your eyes are amazing with your natural hair color! Thanks so much for sharing!
~dede
Posted by on 10/20 at 09:09 AM
There’s going to be a New York June event? Okay, please sign me up! I only live a few hours away and maybe I can get my real life gray haired SIL to come with me!
Posted by on 10/20 at 09:49 AM
What a great entry- very cool Ruth & Ana that you were able to connect. I am jealous of all you who can meet. I’d love to make the NY event but that time of year is difficult with the end of the school year - we’ll see.
You both look fantastic, radiant and proud. very cool, very cool.
best all, m
Posted by on 10/20 at 10:06 AM
oh my your pics are WONDERFUL!!! hopefully some of our ocean pics will turn out!! now let’s sing “from the mountains ...to the oceans bright with (gray) foam”...etc etc...... i really did not get as many pics but i know my co-horts did...love the “color” shot…
but best of all you BOTH look so great LOVE THE HAIR!!
louann
Posted by on 10/20 at 10:10 AM
Wow! It looks like you guys had a great time and what a wonderful place! Wish I could have been there.
Posted by on 10/20 at 10:27 AM
Oh, what fun you two must have had! I’m so glad that you were able to meet each other and enjoy the day together. My daughter lives in Thornton, so the next time I’m in Colorado visiting her, maybe we can meet each other. That would be so nice!
Loved the hats by the way!
Posted by on 10/20 at 11:18 AM
That would be grand, Carole. Let us know when you come.
Posted by on 10/20 at 01:15 PM
Oh man - you sure look awesome and it’s so obvious what a good time! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Posted by on 10/20 at 02:41 PM
What can I say?
Colorado scenery IS impressive!
I am so happy to be able to share our good time with all of our GGLG friends. Ana is right, it was instant like. With such a great group of women to pal around with online, would any one be surprised?
If our story and photos can inspire any of you to do the same I would encourage it!
Ruth
Posted by on 10/20 at 03:58 PM
Carole,
I am looking forward to meeting you in the future!
Thanks everyone for such flattering compliments!
Ruth
Posted by on 10/20 at 04:04 PM
You both look beautiful! Love how both your haircuts are growing in… and wow, what incredible surroundings!
Makes me want to go on a road trip out west!
Congrats on being the first to connect from the team!
all the best,
Helen G
Posted by on 10/20 at 05:50 PM
I’ll look forward to meeting you all too! I’ve never been lucky enough to visit Colorado in the autumn. What beautiful colors on display in your pictures.
Posted by on 10/20 at 05:58 PM
Hey girls! Love the pics from your get together. You both look great and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I cracked up when I saw the hair color experts shot! Oh my! I can only imagine what they would have said if they saw you taking it!!
Colorado is a beautiful state and it has 2 new bright, shining stars!!! You are awesome!
P.S. - I wore my new GGLG.com hat this morning to my daughter’s elementary school. I’m waiting for the comments and the chance to tell everyone all about the GGLG site. Anyone who says anything about how much they like my new short do is destined to get an earful! I feel like Louann said she did ... people just can’t shut me up!!
Posted by on 10/20 at 06:35 PM
Thanks for sharing your get together pics, it’s wonderful to hear that a great connection was made between the two of you.
And I agree with Helen, that scenery makes me want to do a road trip in the U.S.(being in Australia this will have to wait until the kids are older, but it is on our “to do one day” list!)
Love the hats!
Posted by on 10/20 at 09:34 PM
Ruth and Ana! Thanks so much for sharing your day with all of us. You both look so radiant and the Colorado backdrop doesn’t look too shabby either.
Posted by on 10/20 at 11:30 PM
i will actually be spending the weekend in “lost wages” nevada with some of my high school pals...one who is flying out from denver!!i have been out to visit her once and it is a lovely state!! also want to echo how much i like your hair...growing out nicely...how long will you guys let it go??
louann
Posted by on 10/21 at 05:32 AM
This is so cool!! Just for finding the same website and being brave enough to share stories we have made new friends. Okay, Lulu, if two of us meeting makes an event complete with silver ball-caps, I think we better plan our meeting! I suggest IKEA as a venue, with a lunch somewhere nearby. I can bring my grayt (love that) gray bf as photographer. What’s your schedule looking like in November?
Lisa
Posted by on 10/21 at 05:35 AM
yea you 2 would have a ball!!(cap).... lulu wants that cap ...! how many hours apart are you 2??
and i know the texans are starting to plan!!
i can’t tell you enough how much fun it is to meet in person!! puts a voice behind all these “posts”!! i am really hoping the new york thing will work with my schedule!!
all of us in one room??? wow what a greyt picture!!
louann
Posted by on 10/21 at 05:46 AM
IKEA??? Hmmmm. Of course, I’m thinking Niagra Falls/Canadian side for good, dramatic background shots. Of course, I don’t know if you are anywhere NEAR them. OK, shopping carts at IKEA it is. Great idea to bring your official bf “photographer” along, Lisa. I’m lovin’ this. Send a shout out to other Canadians, too. I think I’m gonna have to do a page on possible events around the country, oops, countries!
C’mon, Lulubell—get yer cap!!
Posted by on 10/21 at 06:06 AM
Well there ARE more scenic locales for sure, but not as easy to schedule those kinds, and we both love IKEA. We are about 3 hours apart, but IKEA is a sort of middle-ground, about 1 1/2 hours away for me, not sure about Lulu? Do we have other Canadians posting??
Posted by on 10/21 at 06:18 AM
I am IN!! November is great for me Lisa and IKEA is a good place to meet. It is about 30 or 40 minutes from me, so no problem at all. I can bring my daughter (if she is up to it, she’s due at the end of November} she LOVES IKEA! Let me talk to her and see how she feels about it. YIPPEE a chance to meet newbie2 and get a ball-cap My question is the same as Lisa’s, are there any other Canadian silvers out there????
Posted by on 10/21 at 06:47 AM
I’m thinking GardenMimine (Catherine) of the newbie graduates is a Canadian .... not sure, though…
Posted by on 10/21 at 09:11 AM
Yup, she is, grayincali, and so’s Michel, of Michel’s Story. Any others out there?
Posted by on 10/21 at 09:22 AM
On what Louann said about everyone being in the same room for a pic in New York .... I can only imagine the amount of light reflecting from the flash and bouncing off all of the silver and white strands?! Bring your shades! It’s gonna be blinding!!!
Posted by on 10/21 at 09:50 AM
Oh my, Catherine, you have to forgive me! Of COURSE there is another Canadian posting...I guess being that you’re in Quebec and we’re in Ontario I think of you as being far far away (about a 6-7 hour drive for me). But Cat, if you’re interested in meeting up with me and Lulu in November sometime let us know! And I know that Elizabeth is not too far away either, but whether anyone wants to make a 5-6 hour trip to IKEA is debatable...but you’re all more than welcome. Oh, and Lulu, I was thinking of the Burlington IKEA but I’m guessing you were thinking Vaugn?
Lisa
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:01 AM
No Lisa, it is the Burlington IKEA. It is just a short drive from where I live!
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:08 AM
Perfect! Let me know what your daughter thinks and then we’ll look at dates.
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:15 AM
Lisa, I just went to get my work-out gear out of the car and it is not only windy, cold and damp it is actually snowing! 
Time to pack the motor-home and head South!! What is the weather like where you are???
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:16 AM
I will talk to Melissa tonight and let you know by tomorrow. I am so excited
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:18 AM
My son just called me from home. He said it was so cold walking home from school that his ears hurt. Time to break out the toques!! Yikes! I’m never ready for this! I am SO not made for winter weather. I don’t know what I’m doing living up here in Canada (and we’re in the milder regions--it’s not like we live in the Territories, or even Manitoba!)
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:21 AM
I hear you!!! Hats, gloves, mitts etc.! Good thing you have a cruise to look forward to! I’ll keep you updated, have a nice evening.
Posted by on 10/21 at 10:27 AM
should i rub it in??? i just put my walking shorts on
i am going to take a nice walk in the neighborhood before i have my cocktail..sorry…
ok gals...your round up sounds pretty good too!!!
louann
Posted by on 10/21 at 03:51 PM
74 degrees here right now and we had a sunny day today, but this is too warm for October in my opinion. But too early for snow! Yikes!
Posted by on 10/21 at 04:28 PM
Greeneyes and Louann you are so lucky to be having such nice temps. Lisa and I live in a very mild part of Southern Ontario (for me) Southwestern Ontario (for Lisa) so it is not normal for us to have it quite this chilly this soon, although it is always a possibility????? 
My husband and I spend 4 months in Florida each winter. We normally leave at the end of November, but my daughter’s baby is due November 30th so we will stay until she delivers and make sure she is fine and well-adjusted before we set out. We live in Orange Lake , Florida which is midway between Gainesville to the north and Ocala to the South. It is what some refer to as “Old Florida” and is quite possibly the most beautiful, tranquil place I have ever been. We are in Marion County, also known as “The Horse Capital of the World”. I could go on and on!! Can’t wait to get there!
Posted by on 10/21 at 05:17 PM
Lulubell - Congratulations on another grandbaby on the way! And how nice you have two places to live when you get the notion. :o)
Posted by on 10/21 at 05:51 PM
Hey Lulubell,
You are a snowbird! But you have to do something to get your sunshine quota in those northern winter climates. I remember the winters in Montana when I lived there.
I know what you and Lisa mean about IKEA. I love it too. But there are none in Colorado. No Trader Joe’s either. Aren’t we deprived?
Posted by on 10/21 at 06:42 PM
hey lulu can yo uorganize a florida gathering too???? you lucky dog you!!
congrats granny!!!!
louann
Posted by on 10/21 at 06:48 PM
Yes, I am a snowbird! It will only be our third winter as snowbirds though, this is still somewhat new and exciting for us! Louann, I am giggling again! I think I am (was) quite possibly the only woman out of 500 plus R.V.rs who did not have silver hair!! A Florida gathering you ask??? Is there any silver sisters in the Sunshine State?? Thanks for the congrats greeneyes, there is nothing like a soft, cuddly baby to make you realize just how wonderful life is! I can’t wait to kiss his little face!
Posted by on 10/22 at 04:18 AM
Yes, Congrats Lulubell!! How wonderful! I just returned home after spending several days with our new...and FIRST grandbaby! (I posted a picture of us on my profile.) They are completely wonderful!
~dede
Posted by on 10/22 at 01:41 PM
Dede it is my turn to congratulate you!! Your first grandchild, what a blessing. I’ll bet you are still glowing and that your heart is over-flowing with love.
Posted by on 10/22 at 05:24 PM
Hey newbie2 (Lisa) I talked to my daughter and the only day that is not good for her is Tuesday. I am very flexible on the other hand. Being that you work full time are you perhaps considering a weekend or do you have a free day during the week? I am thinking about mid-November, how about you? Once we decide between weekday and week-end the rest will fall in place. I am sure IKEA will be in full Christmas mode!!!
Posted by on 10/22 at 05:36 PM
Lulu--congratulations on a grandbaby on the way (very soon!). Mid November would probably work fine. I do have to do a weekend, unfortunately. I must confess, although I say I love IKEA, we do not have one in the city I live in and I have not actuallyl stepped foot in one for...gulp...10 years!! I really have no idea what they offer for Christmas, but BF is already duly afraid of the damage I could do there!
Wow, Lulu, you are so lucky to have a Florida home to go to. It sounds like quite the life. For now, my cruise (first ‘real’ vacation in 16 years) is my only respite from Canadian winters!
Posted by on 10/22 at 06:04 PM
Thanks Lisa, I can’t wait for the baby!! A weekend is just fine, would Saturday be OK or is Sunday better? IKEA even has a small restaurant right in it. It certainly isn’t fancy but the coffee and desserts are good! They have a lot of unusual and unique Christmas decorations (my favorite). You may even see some unusual Christmas gift ideas! Oh yes, my Husband and I actually TAKE our home with us when we go to Florida, we have a Motor-home that we drive down to Orange lake in. What we have is a lot that we rent to park our motor-home on. This way we can travel around Florida and stay in various RV Parks if we like or even travel out of State.
Posted by on 10/22 at 06:23 PM
Ah...lulubell...that is our dream life! We plan to just live in our trailer for 5 years after we retire...I can’t wait!! We’ve found a wonderful place in Colorado where we’d like to build a small cabin...but just travel for the first few years! How wonderful for you!
~dede
Posted by on 10/22 at 08:47 PM
Dede, I know many, many, couples who are living your dream!! We call them “full-timers.” They sell their homes and keep only their cherished possessions and hit the road! They follow the sun and only see snow if they want to. My Husband said he is going to strap a snow shovel to the front of our motor-home and as soon as someone asks him what it is he will know that he is where he wants to be!! Our grandchildren love to visit when we are in Florida because it is so much fun to sleep in the motor-home. When my oldest granddaughter was a baby I used to make a bed for her in the bedroom closet (it is very large) and she slept ,well, like a baby! Your dream is a wonderful one, don’t give up on it, it is so possible!!
Posted by on 10/23 at 04:26 AM
Lisa (newbie2) I have sent you a personal message with regard to our Canadian Silver Sisters Get-together. I hope I did it right, it is the fist time I have sent a PM. 
Posted by on 10/23 at 04:55 AM
Full-Timers here I come...uhh..well...in a few years anyway! In the mean-time...Colorado is one of our very favorite places to park it! Gotta check out Roxborough State Park next time!!!
~dede
Posted by on 10/23 at 02:01 PM
Looks like the Colorado gathering was hugely successful - with both you gals and some spectacular scenery. I’m envious of all the colors.
We’re still warm here in SoCA, but we’ve had a few very foggy mornings, which I don’t like much. We used to live in South Lake Tahoe (BC - before children) and we brought our snow shovel down here with us. It was great for when we raked up our leaves in our yard. It finally broke last year - it lasted over 30 years! How about that!
I know get that the IKEA gathering is in Canada - so where ever I left that last post about letting me know - you can forget that - that’s just a bit too far to drive !!!
Posted by on 10/27 at 12:39 PM
HI there - I am gray and I live in Boulder! (sounds like a confession) How do I get on your list? Looks like fun! - Donna ()
Posted by on 11/14 at 01:19 PM
Hi Donna—The best thing to do is go to the Members Album, and click on Anab’s link beside her picture. Then you can send her a PM.
By posting here, you are alerting the CO gals, that’s for sure. But it’s always better to get in touch directly.
Posted by on 11/14 at 01:27 PM