Rocky Mountain High

A bit late, but two weeks ago I had a fun long weekend in Colorado, visiting two great friends, CarylMay and Sarah Bury.  While Sarah and CarlyMay had never met each other, I knew they would get along, if not simply because they had both spent a semester studying abroad at Uganda Christian University as part of their undergraduate program.  Tickets to Denver were cheap, so I called it a graduation present and an opportunity for girl time. 

Downtown Denver

I learned that while Denver is the “mile high city” the airport is in the middle of a corn field, and the city is totally flat until the Rockies jump out towards the West.  The city itself is really spread out (especially compared to Seattle) but has a cute downtown, lots of independent coffee and boutique shops, and some gorgeous weather.  Both CarylMay and Sarah were incredible hosts, and were nice enough to drive me around so I didn’t have to rent a car.  CarylMay took me to the original Chipotle (where I got a free shirt) and to Boulder (Seattle-like, with maybe a few more pot smokers), and to her family BBQ (staring her uncle, the one man band, who was awesome). 

Garden of the Gods

The Glen

On Friday Sarah had to work, so I dropped her off and used the car for the day (thanks!).  I spent a good chunk of time at the Glen, the Navigators headquarters in Colorado Springs.  The castle was really very pretty and the grounds border the Garden of the Gods, so there was plenty to take in.  I had coffee with Al and Iris (who live a mile from me in Seattle, but were at the Glen for a conference) and even ran into Joni (my friend Emily’s old roomate from Irvine CA).  It’s a small world after all.

Sarah and I spent a good deal of time in Colorado Springs and stayed with some family friends there.  We did our best to stay away from the locals and spent some time at the Springs Festival, where CarylMay was nice enough to give me a free henna design on my foot.   We sang John Denver in the car, with my feet on the dashboard, eating ice cream with the windows rolled down.  That’s exactly my idea of vacation.

 

On my last full day Sarah took me on a great hike outside of Denver where we were rewarded with hail, clouds, a rainbow, and a 360 degree view of the Continental Divide.  It was breathtaking. 

 

While I was reminded of my usual life lessons of the need to slow down, not over plan, and make sure I have good QT with Aaron, I was also really thankful for a relaxing vacation and the chance to hang out with other girls and catch up.  During the trip it started to sink in that I had finished my degree, and that soon school will be over and I’ll have to start a new chapter.  Transitions always take me some time and energy, but I think my time in Denver was a good stepping stone for processing what comes next. 

Thanks for everything Sarah and CarlyMay.  You were amazing hosts!