Oh my goodness. These last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and adventure! And I’m currently working on a giant proposal…so I need to finally stop to take a breather…whew! Other that feeling a little behind in work, for the most part it’s been oh-so-much fun. We took way too many photos again (of course) so like last time, I’ll just share some of my favorites.
So my wonderful parents and darling younger brother dearest came to grace us with their presence last week Wednesday. Since then, this is what we’ve done and the small details in between (and I’ll mention here we did everything in exactly the right order…so for those who have yet to visit, we have your perfect trip itinerary!):
Day 1 – Wednesday (6.30)
- Family came in late at night and were starving upon arrival so we headed to good ole’ Woody’s for some yummy pizza at $2/slice. We topped off our gluttonous feast with a giant cookie for dessert – YUM!
- After our gorge-fest, we took the standard night-time trip up Lookout Mountain to show off our sparkling city in the dark.
- Since it was already 9pm when we ate and 10:30 by the time we were off the mountain, we headed to bed so we’d be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the next day.
Yum!
An after dinner walk downtown Golden...and the perfect photo op.
Day 2 – Thursday (7.1)
- Early morning (10am) stop to the brewery! Thought we’d be the first ones there but 25 people had us beat. The line was three times as long after our tour…sheesh!
- Left for Lookout Mountain to check out Buffalo Bill’s grave and museum for the first time – finally! The museum was very interesting and informative about the life and times of Billy boy – extensive collection in comparison to the size of the museum. I highly recommend it.
- Then a stop at the Boettcher mansion to check out the grounds – not as impressed with the interior the second time around. Both my mom and I have seen period-style homes with authentic decor and furnishings, but this one is used mostly for wedding receptions so it’s pretty bare. Still neat to read about the history and architecture though.
- We grabbed some lunch and ate outside for a bit before the fam left for the Springs. Thus concludes day 2.
Best part? "Please send photo of saddle & horse." Nevermind what the woman looks like...
I could not resist this incredible opportunity.
My mom made me dress like a cowgirl, so I made her wear some fur stoles.
And Aaron...well Aaron wanted to dress like a girl.
Day 3 – Friday (7.2)
- I have to work some time during these pseudo vacations you know!
- Family went to Royal Gorge to play around for the day – said it was fantastic. Ryan and I will have to make a trip down there sometime yet this summer…among our long list of things to do.
Photo by John C. Gras (there's your big mention, Dad)
It's "gorge"ous
Day 4 – Saturday (7.3)
- Forget work! Ryan, Sadie and I joined the threesome at Garden of the Gods for another beautiful walk around the park. Still just as impressive as always.
- Next up…Pikes Peak. Yet another place that never ceases to amaze. Stunning views on the way up and amazing panorama from the top.
- Stopped at Embassy Suites for a refresher tour since I hadn’t been since fourth grade. I’m still just as impressed with it as I was then. Not to mention they are donating mini toiletries to TallGrass so we can send out to the soldiers. A+
- Tried to take a driving tour of the Air Force Academy but we were 30 mins too late. Shoot! Next time.
Isn't he lovely?
Siblings!
Bigfoot met Aaron. I'm not sure who was more shocked.
Ooo, pretty!
Yes, I realize I'm covering up the minor detail of it being a 14,110 ft mountain.
Day 5 – Sunday (7.4)
- Worship at our wonderful church, Red Rocks.
- Breckenridge for the day! Packed a scrumptious picnic lunch to eat along the river. Seriously, I make a mean picnic lunch. Then walked around the city with a stop in the Visitor’s Center to check out the great little history museum that’s literally housed inside an old house. Neato!
- Had to make a stop at the vacation home of my dad’s friend, Greg. Very fanciful. Wish we could have taken the Jeep and dirt bikes out but it was a little chilly and getting late. There had better be a next time…poor Ryan’s hopes were crushed. But he’ll survive.
- Rather than fireworks, we watched Shutter Island. Not sure why that was fitting for the holiday, but it’s a good movie.
We got to listen to some live music during our picnic.
Hey Boo Boo, did you get a pick-a-nik basket...
Day 6 – Monday (7.5)
- Another fabulous trip to Rocky Mountain National Park! Quickly becoming one of my favorite places.
- Did the same hike we had done with Leah and Jared. Better this time around because it wasn’t chilly and overcast.
- Then did the MUST DO of the trip – took the drive on Trail Ridge Road. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of this drive. Better than any other mountain driving trip we’ve done…with the exception of the Swiss Alps…but maybe even that. No other park in the U.S. takes you in and through the mountain tundra, and it is simply gorgeous. There are no words. I’ll be making a whole wall of photos just of this place. SO glad we got a season pass.
- Walked part of the Ute trail in the tundra. My dad spotted a herd of elk and like a crazy person, walked within a few feet of them for a photo op, taking Aaron with him. Ryan followed behind with the camera to capture any attacks.
- Stopped at Laura and Jared’s for a quick visit before heading home to the pup…who we’d left for over 12 hours – horrible parents!
- Most of us couldn’t make it through our late night movie (my parents are night owls, too!) before we fell asleep. A full and exhaustingly fun day.
We're here!
Pure love.
Okay, it's just a little pretty here.
Family foto.
Standing on the edge of the world.
Love everything about this shot.
The adventurers standing merely feet away from a herd of elk.
We finally saw some mountain sheep!
A cute little prairie dog, checking me out.
Um, cutest thing ever. Besides Sienna and Sadie, of course.
Day 7 – Tuesday (7.6)
- Super low-key. Walked from our house to Clear Creek with a stop in Clear Creek History Park. A great walk through the park, over the pedestrian bridge and past the community garden.
- Window shopped downtown Golden. I bought a magnet that says, “Yay! Golden!” because it’s hilarious and so fitting for my feelings about the city.
- Did a bit of work before we went to Colorado Mills mall for some more shopping.
- Took the Lariat Loop toward Evergreen because I had a work meeting. Family and Ryan walked around the lake while I participated in jibberjabber.
- Guess where we ate for dinner? Woody’s! Again, the giant cookie is irresistible, even after 7 slices of pizza (right, Dad?)
Yes, this is my dad.
And the next morning before I left for work, we said our farewells and they were on their way home. So crazy and sad that I won’t see them again for months. But I think we got a good fix, and maybe even convinced them Colorado is the place to be, ha! I definitely miss them and hope they miss us, despite some intermittent crabbiness on my part (I’m a brat sometimes). Only thing missing…Nathan and Heidi’s presence. Hopefully we’ll see them soon!
Well, lots of work to be done – proposal is due on Tuesday and I have more design work to get done – so off I go.
Love,
Laura