Day 14 - Heading Home

Well, we're nearing the end of our big adventure. Now all that's left is to take the train all the way back to Maryland. We weren't scheduled to leave until about 7:00 that evening so we had quite a bit of time to hang out and pack things up before heading back to Denver.

We arrived and found out the train was to be about 30 minutes late. Okay, no problem. Checked out bags, went to a nice dinner across the street from the station, grabbed the rest of our stuff out of the car and checked on the ETA again. 1 hr 30 minutes late. Ugh. We didn't actually get on the train until about 10:00 pm, that's almost 3 hours late. This wouldn't be too much of a problem except we have to make a connection in Chicago tomorrow. We have a 4 hr window...it's not looking good already and we haven't even gotten started. Also, there was no airconditioning in the station.

Day 13 - Garden of the Gods

We spent the morning out at the Garden of the Gods, an amazing rock park in Colorado Springs. The sky was a deep blue and the moon was out, that along with the red of the rock formations made for some neat photo opportunities.

{Pike's Peak}

This also gave us a chance to use the nifty backpack. There are paved paths throughout the park so we didn't really need the pack, but it was nice to have. We thought we'd be more ambitious than we were and get in some real hikes, but at least it came in handy on the train and in the terminals.

Then back to the house. The rain the day before really cooled things down, but it was still hot in the sun. But, eventually the afternoon clouds had rolled back in. Pete and Ellie hung out on the lawn for as long as they could before another cooling rain.

After a week of hot hot hot, unusual for the Colorado I remember, we got to pull out the pants and long-sleeved shirts that I brought just in case.

Day 12 - Quiet time

A quiet day at last. Just spent the day relaxing and enjoying the scenery and being in one place for a few days. Ellie took a walk with Grandma around the neighborhood then sat on the front porch for awhile watching the clouds roll in.

Eventually it rained, really cooling things off (finally).

So nice to just sit. Nowhere to be, no one to see, nothing to do. Ahhhhhh.

Day 11 - Par-tay

Sheeee's ba-ack.

I was really nervous that we'd pushed Ellie too far over the previous week and our reward would be a crabby baby for the remainder of the trip. But after a good night's sleep and a nice morning nap she was back to her chipper self. Phew.

Just in time for a party! The in-laws held an open house similar to the one my mom and step-dad had, inviting all their friends over for an afternoon to socialize and meet the grandbaby. It was a delightful afternoon and evening. Ellie did great being passed around again.

{with Grandpa}

She had a great time watching all the other kids playing, and they helped out a lot by keeping her entertained. Even the older folks got in on the fun. It was nice to see some people that we hadn't seen in awhile and meet some new friends. Party started about 4:00 and most stayed until well past 8:00. Good times had by all. And even though this wasn't intended as a gift-giving thing, I guess people can't resist shopping for baby so we got a few new fun toys, some adorable outfits, and a few new books. Suitcases are filling up.

Day 10 - The Springs

Man, did we have a crabby baby today. One nap in the living room does not a happy baby make. Lesson learned. Will my angel baby ever return?

Day 9 - South

We (maybe it was just me) were slow to get moving today so we didn't hike like we had been planning. Instead, we killed time until our lunch with my old adviser, her husband, and another old friend who was actually in Maryland with us for awhile before moving back west. It was fun to catch up with them. Lots of catching up to do it seems.

After lunch, we visited the favorite coffee shop for a bit, then walked along the creek path and watched people blissfully flowing down the creek on innertubes, even saw someone we knew and chatted with him for a bit. Small town Boulder can be. Sat in the grass and discussed why it was we left Boulder to begin with. Then it was time to get in the car and drive down to Colorado Springs for the next leg of our adventure.

A few gratuitous mountain shots on the way out of Boulder.

{NCAR - where weather gets made}

Day 8 - Boulder

Our busiest day of the trip, we crammed a whole heck of a lot in to our one full day in one of my favorite places. We decided to splurge and get a fancy room at a fancy hotel right downtown Boulder, the Boulderado.

{our room}


{the view}

Up early and off to breakfast at my favorite place. This was Ellie's first time in a restaurant highchair, which she enjoyed. Yummy Creole food with the best biscuits I've ever had.

Then we hung out on the Pearl Street mall, and went to the best toy and kite shop ever. Couldn't resist buying a few things, but they fold flat so it's okay.

Then to a favorite old hangout to meet up with a new friend and her daughter for lunch and a beer and more mall walking. In case you're reading this, I was so very not underwhelmed and had a great time chatting "IRL." We apparently chose the hottest weekend of the year to visit so our mall walking was limited but still fun.

Then back to the hotel for a quick nap and to get all dressed up for the wedding that evening. The wedding was perfect, very laid back, perfect weather, perfect size. The bride looked lovely, the groom couldn't stop smiling, and both glowed. It was a beautiful outdoor setting, an absolutely wonderful jazz quartet playing. Really, a very, very classy and fun evening. The wedding also gave us a chance to catch up with a bunch of old friends that we hadn't seen in quite awhile, including my old roommate and her husband who I wish we lived closer to. We chose opposite coasts and it's been hard to keep in touch.

{the happy couple}

Thanks to Nat for taking what I think is our first family portrait since Christmas.

Day 7 - Heading West

Traded crops for cows.

The train ride this time was mostly overnight so just hung out in our tiny sleeper and played some peekaboo.

Arrived in Denver the next morning, and that was enough for us. Time to decompress before our whirlwind couple days in Boulder.