Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

For several years we had lived away from Colorado, a place where we both were born and loved. Mark’s entry into the military arena meant that we often lived too far away from Colorado to drive there within two days. Still, we desired to head back each summer to this memorable place. We discovered this remarkable vacation location, quite by accident, by reading the advertisement in a magazine. This was our first time to see the site known as Rainbow Lake Resort. It is located, literally in the middle of the state, near Buena Vista, west of Colorado Springs. Rainbow Lake was created by a damned up river, forming a small lake. The lake is surrounded by 18 cabins in the basin. I don’t recall visiting Buena Visita as a youth; however, I did remember travelling over Cottonwood Pass, noting the road’s connection to Taylor Park Reservoir, fishing in a nearby river, and knowing that a famous pass connects the towns of Gunnison and Salida. The resort we first saw was not an elegant place, but instead many rustic cabins probably built in the 1930’s by private individuals who decided to construct the dam that created the small lake. The cabins were of varying sizes, some with only one bedroom and a general-purpose room with a connected bathroom. Larger cabins had several bedrooms, a bathroom, a larger kitchen and living area. We first visited this place in 1996, but then returned each year until 2017--yes, a memorable vacation location. We were there at least one week each summer. But, what brought us back there? There were no TV’s or phone connections in any of the rustic cabins. All cabins had porches where visitors could view the small lake. Rainbow Lake was stocked periodically with steelhead trout that intermixed with rainbow trout and brown trout native to the region. We could fish catching no more than six trout per person per day. A resident could even rent a boat to cross the lake, to fish in a different area, or just enjoy the beauty of the area. It is located at 9,000 feet, so the temperature is often quite cool in earlier summer days. We had to pack winter clothing in addition to summer clothing, and of course fishing gear. Rainbow Lake Resort increased in size in 2001, when a modern Lodge was built with about 10 more motel style rooms. The lower part of the lodge has a small apartment for the resident couple who take reservations, maintains the property during its opening, and runs a small shop for items needed by visitors. The owners live in Oklahoma and purchased various cabin homes close-by, as previous owners decided to sell their property. Now the resort area has become well- known by many people who, like us, come each year. We enjoyed the quiet, the nearby small towns, and the view seeing several nearby 14,000 ft mountains. This was the vacation that we needed to center-down, to read books, to fish each day catching our fish to freeze-dry. One year we carried 45 frozen fish on dry ice giving them to friends in Memphis. Not many people have eaten freshly caught trout! Ask Mark about the largest “fish” Sheryl caught. One year we saw a moose come to the lake to take a swim. Luckily, we hadn’t decided to row a boat that morning. It is a delightful place to visit, enjoy for a week, and marvel at the beauty of God’s creations. The Pinecone | August 2026 • 9 • TOPIC OF THEMONTH: Write About a Family Trip or Adventure Poetry &Writing Club COME JOIN THE CLUB Monday, August 10th at 9:30 am in the LCR AMEMORABLE VACATION LOCATION Story by Sheryl Maxwell Sheryl Maxwell Annuities are one of the most misunderstood financial tools in retirement planning. They can play an important role in a longterm retirement strategy, when matched to a client’s goals, income needs, and overall financial plan. Problems arise when annuities are recommended simply because they are available—not because they are appropriate. It is equally important to understand what an annuity is— and what it is not. An annuity is an insurance product, not an investment. Some annuities include investment-related features, but their primary purpose is to help manage retirement income, longevity, and market risk. Rather thanrelying solelyonmarket performance, an annuity transfers certain financial risks to the issuing insurance company through contractual guarantees. Unlike bank accounts, annuities are not insured by the FDIC or the federal government. Their guarantees are backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance company and by state guaranty associations, which generally provide protection up to statutory limits if an insurer becomes insolvent. Example: Two Ways to Generate $2,333 per Month Option 1: A retiree withdraws the full $2,333 each month from a $400,000 IRA. During market declines, more shares must be sold to generate the same income, increasing sequence-of-returns risk and reducing the portfolio’s ability to recover. Option 2: The same $400,000 is divided between a $200,000 IRA and a $200,000 Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA). The IRA provides about $874 per month while the FIA provides about $1,459 per month. Total monthly income remains $2,333, but less pressure is placed on the IRA during down markets. The right strategy depends on your objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, tax situation, and complete retirement plan. Annuities are neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’—they are simply tools. When used appropriately, they can provide dependable income and help protect retirement assets during periods of market volatility. Questions? Call or Email: (901) 563-7999 info@yourfamilymatters.today Understanding Annuities: A Practical Look at Annuities and Your Retirement Planning