So we're back. We just spent the last 7 days in Colorado, and it was AMAZING! I want to warn everyone that this is going to be my longest blog entry to date, so bulk up for the long hall. We took over 300 pictures while we were there so I think the best thing to do (in addition to narrowing down the pictures) is break it up by each day we were there. Here we go...
WEDNESDAY
Actually, let me start with Tuesday night, in which, Adam and I never fell asleep. We finally called it a wash and got up at 3am to start getting ready. We woke up the princess at 3:45 leaving only time to get her dressed and in the car and we headed off to the airport. After two 2 1/2 hour flights we made it to Denver, 11:30am mountain time. We spent the rest of the day walking around the Cherry Creek area of Denver with Adam's dad and Step-mom, and ate dinner on the patio of a popular burger joint. Harper had a little trouble getting used to the time difference but otherwise was in good spirits. After dinner we pretty much went directly to bed. We were a little embarrassed to find it was only 8:30. Oh well, we had a long week ahead of us.
Notice it's still dark outside.
We had lunch at a cute little pub Don and Missy frequent. Everyone knows everyone in this little neighborhood.
Waiting outside the burger place for a table. It was definitely one of the area hot spots.
THURSDAY
We woke up a little earlier than usual this morning due to the time change, but came around pretty fast after a hearty Starbucks breakfast. We had a mostly lazy morning, getting ready and packing up our stuff again. We then packed everything into the truck and headed off to Crested Butte (a 4 hour drive turned 5 with a little sight seeing around Denver). After getting to the house we met up with Adams brother Kenny, his wife Beth, their step sister Ali. We all went down to dinner in the cutest little town you'll ever see. Again, Don and Missy seamed to know everyone, including the owners. Harper even got some special treatment, and was allowed to work the taps behind the bar. She was known as the "bar baby" by everyone the rest of the time we were there.
We woke up a little earlier than usual this morning due to the time change, but came around pretty fast after a hearty Starbucks breakfast. We had a mostly lazy morning, getting ready and packing up our stuff again. We then packed everything into the truck and headed off to Crested Butte (a 4 hour drive turned 5 with a little sight seeing around Denver). After getting to the house we met up with Adams brother Kenny, his wife Beth, their step sister Ali. We all went down to dinner in the cutest little town you'll ever see. Again, Don and Missy seamed to know everyone, including the owners. Harper even got some special treatment, and was allowed to work the taps behind the bar. She was known as the "bar baby" by everyone the rest of the time we were there.
Don and Missy have the cutest little townhouse in Cherry Creek. It was very quaint with a whole lot of character.
Along with all the incredible views of mountains, and lakes, we also saw...
COWS, lots of them. Had I known exactly how many cows we would actually see over the course of the week I never would have bothered with this particular heard.
Harper making friends with the owner's son. That's my girl...aim high.
Harper owning the taps
Working the bar can really take it out of you. 
Adam and Harper waiting outside the restaurant after dinner. Harper sporting her new Patagonia vest, powder pink.FRIDAY
This is NOT a postcard...yet.
Today we took it easy. We went up to an old abandoned hotel that could have been the exact one from "The Shining". It was up a LONG dirt road that is closed in the winter and was on top of a mountain with no other buildings for miles. The hotel itself was cool but the views we saw were spectacular. We spent the rest of the day walking up and down the town streets popping in all the cute little shops. We had lunch outside at a pizza place, then later went to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. For a small town they had abundance of places to eat.
This is NOT a postcard...yet.
Seriously, could she get any cuter?
It was such a walkable town. And for anyone who didn't want to walk, they rode their bikes.
Harper loved strolling around town in her new wheels. It was her first look at the world facing forward.
Harper LOVED "Buff" the stuffed buffalo head. She did not take her eyes off of it whenever we were in the room. We decided it would be nice to have a picture of the two of them for the blog.SATURDAY
This was the big day for Kenny. This weekend was the homecoming rugby game for his Alma mater, Western Colorado State University. During this weekend along with a lot of drinking and reminiscing, the alumna team plays the current school team. Before heading down to the game, we stopped by to see the horses and give them a little snack. Once we got out to the game we discovered it was a balmy 70 degrees and VERY sunny. Quite different from the climate just 30 minutes and 2000 ft up on the mountain. Unfortunately, the alumna lost (not by much) but it was a little funny to see half of the alumna team walking around with ice packs or limping. Kenny did sustain an injury but it was just a bloody nose, he was fine. He did however feel the impact of his hit later that night.
This was the big day for Kenny. This weekend was the homecoming rugby game for his Alma mater, Western Colorado State University. During this weekend along with a lot of drinking and reminiscing, the alumna team plays the current school team. Before heading down to the game, we stopped by to see the horses and give them a little snack. Once we got out to the game we discovered it was a balmy 70 degrees and VERY sunny. Quite different from the climate just 30 minutes and 2000 ft up on the mountain. Unfortunately, the alumna lost (not by much) but it was a little funny to see half of the alumna team walking around with ice packs or limping. Kenny did sustain an injury but it was just a bloody nose, he was fine. He did however feel the impact of his hit later that night.
After the game we all went back to the house to meet my cousin Forest who drove up from Colorado Springs. We then trucked down to the center of town to a great little sushi establishment. This particular night was the Vinotok celebration in Crested Butte. It celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall and winter. Several of the towns people dress up and parade down the streets, into the stores and restaurants, before crowding around a HUGE bonfire. It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Harper was even recognized as the "bar baby" by one of the waitresses working that night.
Horse country USA.
Don't worry, uncle Kenny was ok. Rugby is a no nonsense game.
These were just 2 of the hundreds of people dressed up. Most of them were in the sushi place we were waiting to go into.
The whole bunch.
I told you it was big.
SUNDAY
Today was the day the rest of us had been waiting for. We all went up to Red Mountain where Don and Missy's lot is, lot being 35 acres. They are planning to build on it soon, but until then they just enjoy the view and the open land for the horses. We spent the day riding horses, making smore's and admiring the views. It was amazing to think that people live places where they can enjoy these things everyday. That night we had a dinner party and celebrated my birthday a little early. Everything was delicious but the 4 layered double chocolate confection with chocolate pudding shots that Missy made was (no pun intended) the icing on the cake. It also made a great breakfast.
This was at the bottom of the mountain Don and Missy's lot is on.
Harper bundled up in her high altitude gear. She looked like a little elf.
The whole clan.
Harper really took to the horses. This girl has no fear. She grabbed right on and was ready to go.
Quite the changing station.
Discovering new things.
What a GREAT day!!
Walking down the streets of Aspen. We were having a mix of snow and sleet (hence the umbrella).
We had lunch at the most expensive hamburger place in the country. You would think with all the cattle in the area a hamburger would be $.13 instead of $13.00.
The view from their deck.
TUESDAY
Leaving day. So sad, but what an incredible vacation. We woke up to the beautiful snow kissed village. We went down to the center of town and got a few more pictures. Then we drove the hour and a half to the airport. Poor Harper endured a lot of traveling this past week, but she did beautifully. She is definitely a well traveled baby. She has now been on 8, yes 8, flights, and come this time next week she will be on another with our trip up to Vermont. Stay tuned.
Don's cute little dental practice right in downtown. This place would almost make you want to go to the dentist...almost.
Bye bye Colorado...'til next time.
Horse country USA.
Don't worry, uncle Kenny was ok. Rugby is a no nonsense game.
These were just 2 of the hundreds of people dressed up. Most of them were in the sushi place we were waiting to go into.
The whole bunch.
I told you it was big.SUNDAY
Today was the day the rest of us had been waiting for. We all went up to Red Mountain where Don and Missy's lot is, lot being 35 acres. They are planning to build on it soon, but until then they just enjoy the view and the open land for the horses. We spent the day riding horses, making smore's and admiring the views. It was amazing to think that people live places where they can enjoy these things everyday. That night we had a dinner party and celebrated my birthday a little early. Everything was delicious but the 4 layered double chocolate confection with chocolate pudding shots that Missy made was (no pun intended) the icing on the cake. It also made a great breakfast.
This was at the bottom of the mountain Don and Missy's lot is on.
Harper bundled up in her high altitude gear. She looked like a little elf.
The whole clan.
Harper really took to the horses. This girl has no fear. She grabbed right on and was ready to go.
Quite the changing station.
Discovering new things.
What a GREAT day!!MONDAY
On the road again. We decided to head over to Aspen for the day. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Before leaving we were so excited to see some snow flurries making their way to the ground in CB, but didn't really keep our hopes up after seeing nothing but sun the whole way over to Aspen. Once getting to Aspen we realized the snow showers had followed us. It snowed for a while before tapering off and not leaving too much of an impact. We had a fun day walking around and seeing the area. It was an attractive city but didn't have any of the charm Crested Butte did. About half way through our drive back we discovered we got a lot more snow than we thought we did. Everything was covered and it was BEAUTIFUL. The town looked exactly like one of those Christmas village set ups people display around the holidays. As if the town could have gotten any more picture perfect. This did mark Harper's first snow, and I don't think she could have cared less. Oh well, we all thought it was great. Funny that all this happened on the last official day of summer.
On the road again. We decided to head over to Aspen for the day. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Before leaving we were so excited to see some snow flurries making their way to the ground in CB, but didn't really keep our hopes up after seeing nothing but sun the whole way over to Aspen. Once getting to Aspen we realized the snow showers had followed us. It snowed for a while before tapering off and not leaving too much of an impact. We had a fun day walking around and seeing the area. It was an attractive city but didn't have any of the charm Crested Butte did. About half way through our drive back we discovered we got a lot more snow than we thought we did. Everything was covered and it was BEAUTIFUL. The town looked exactly like one of those Christmas village set ups people display around the holidays. As if the town could have gotten any more picture perfect. This did mark Harper's first snow, and I don't think she could have cared less. Oh well, we all thought it was great. Funny that all this happened on the last official day of summer.
Walking down the streets of Aspen. We were having a mix of snow and sleet (hence the umbrella).
We had lunch at the most expensive hamburger place in the country. You would think with all the cattle in the area a hamburger would be $.13 instead of $13.00.
The view from their deck.TUESDAY
Leaving day. So sad, but what an incredible vacation. We woke up to the beautiful snow kissed village. We went down to the center of town and got a few more pictures. Then we drove the hour and a half to the airport. Poor Harper endured a lot of traveling this past week, but she did beautifully. She is definitely a well traveled baby. She has now been on 8, yes 8, flights, and come this time next week she will be on another with our trip up to Vermont. Stay tuned.
Don's cute little dental practice right in downtown. This place would almost make you want to go to the dentist...almost.
Bye bye Colorado...'til next time.
