Last full day

It’s my last full day in Colorado, so there’s more to explore!

I got to bed late because I was chasing miller moths around the room. Caroline wounded one and killed one, and I finished off the first and killed two more. We decided to fumigate the house with bug spray before we left for the day, in hopes there would be nothing but carcasses when we returned.

After breakfast, we headed out to Eldorado Canyon State Park a short drive from the house. The canyon is impressive, with towering peaks surrounding us and the South Boulder Creek tumbling over the rocks in a hurry to get to the bottom. we walked a cross a footbridge and peeked in a cave, but didn’t go too far since we weren’t in appropriate shoes for the trail. We were able to watch some rock climbers when we walked back over the bridge, just specks at the top of the cliff.

We drove into Boulder for lunch and to wander around town. We found an excellent eatery, Avanti, which was a space filled with different local food vendors. Sort of like a food court, but no chains. The food was superb at Rooted, where we decided to eat. I wish RVA could find a way to do something like that in the West End, to give all those great Downtown and Fan restaurants the ability to open up a place without the exorbitant Short Pump rent!

There was a severe thunderstorm warning, so we headed home, where I could start laundry and get organized for the trip home. Hoping everything fits in the suitcase and that I don’t leave anything behind!

Goodbye Olathe

I feel like I have to tear myself away from our little home away from home in Olathe. The peace and calmness that I feel here fills my soul. But alas, leave we must. I take one last stroll around the farm lanes, coffee and camera in hand. The cows are grazing near the house this morning, and the redwing blackbirds are chirping along the fence, and even the horse is neighing at me. Goodbye, snow covered San Juan Mountains that I get to gaze upon every morning. Goodbye, family of house sparrows that are nesting in the eaves who wake me every morning.

We pack up the car and head out, headed toward Boulder, with a stop in Glenwood Springs for lunch. About 30 minutes into the trip, our navigation tells us to do a u-turn because there is a crash on I-70 that’s has the interstate closed. This little redirection routes us through Grand Mesa, elevation 11,237. On the drive up, the aspen groves are glorious with their bright white bark and newly grown leaves. There is snow, and a lot of it, and frozen lakes. We stop at the visitor center and see snowdrifts taller than we are! We are so thankful for this little misadventure!

Back on the road, we arrive in Glenwood Springs around 2 pm, and stop in at Grind right across from the train station for another “linner” that will tide us over until tomorrow. it’s a quick stop because we are ready to be out of the car! Two more hours in the car, drop Caroline at her house and head to our hotel in Broomfield to rest and get ready for the last event of our trip together, the Bolder Boulder 10k! None of us is really amped to run after all our hiking, but we know it will be a fun time.

Early departure at 6:30!