A Very Quick Trip

How many times have I said this?  So very many (tapping my heels together)...

"There's no place like home."  

Travel is fun -new sights, new sounds, smells, and tastes - but to me, the absolute best part is coming back home.  I start to get so excited the day before we head for home and my brain fills with all of the little projects I want to start/work on/complete when we get home.  Also - I start to really miss my furry and feathered friends.

All that said - Colorado was awe-inspiring.  Those mountains!  I have never beheld such grandeur - and on such an enormous scale.

So much runs through my mind as I peer down at the ground from almost two miles up into the air - I am filled with reverence and gratitude for the beauty of this planet that we call home. 

 And I am reminded just how small I am - I am but a tiny speck on the surface of an enormously vast earth.  It's humbling.

We spent our weekend with Amanda and Tim in Boulder, Colorado - enjoying the vibe of that quaint, buzzing little town.  It was great to share a piece of their life for a couple of days since they are so very far away these days.  

On Sunday we hiked at Loveland Pass - over 12,000 feet above sea level.  It was remarkable how difficult strenuous activity is at such an altitude.  Amanda and Tim are in great shape and quite used to the altitude.  Hubbs and I had to work pretty hard (our hearts pounding - trying to get oxygen to our muscles)

We stopped on the way for some tea at a small coffee shop and I saw this cute scene...

It's good to have a friend, AND a place to sit!

Monday, Hubbs and I drove our big black rental van up into the Rocky Mountain National Park.

We followed the Trail Ridge Road... a winding road that travels up, up, up

 into the heart of the mountains.  Because of heavy snow, this road is only open to drive from Memorial Day (or after) until October.

Along the way there are breathtaking vistas...

until, finally you reach the highest point of the road 12, 165 feet above sea level. 

 So high you can touch the clouds!  Luckily, there were none while we were there. 

 For those of you who wondered what temperatures we encountered in the mountains, I will tell you... that, while Boulder was sweltering in 93 degrees, we had jackets on at 12,000 feet.  It's quite cold and windy that high in the mountains.  I believe on Monday it was in the 50's, but that was in the afternoon.  When we had hiked on Sunday, it was in the 40's.  After the long, hot summer we have had here on the farm, I was in heaven there in the cold, windy mountain air.

And, sadly, we saw no animals... no elk or moose, etc. -  most likely because we were there during the afternoon when most of the animals are hiding.

Our vacation was a quick one, and we boarded a flight back to Philadelphia early yesterday morning.  For as many troubles as we had encountered getting to Boulder, our trip home was a breeze.  A quick 3 hour flight, followed by 2 ½ hours in the car and we were back home in the midst of our beloved friends! 

Upon arrival, I threw all of our clothes into the wash and hopped into the shower to rid myself of travel cooties.  It was so good to be back home with the germs I know and love!

There's no place like home!

And the icing on the cake is that we are promised a little cooler weather for the next couple of weeks.  I can almost hear Autumn whispering in the woods... it won't be long!

Comments

jaz@octoberfarm said…
i'm so glad you had a good trip after the horrible start!
colleen said…
Welcome home. You didn't let the terrible start hinder your adventure. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures. xoxoxo
daisy g said…
Welcome home. I'm sure everyone was so glad to see you.

The beauty of the mountains is amazing. Everyone should see them at least once in their lifetime.

Enjoy nestling in!
Anonymous said…
I agree with you there is no place like home!
Lynne said…
Oh my the vistas ~
Oh my ~
Home
Marcia LaRue said…
I'll take the mountains of Colorado over the ocean in California anytime ... I have lived in CA, moved to CO in 2004 and I love it! Give me the mountains any day ... they call to me! LOL
So glad you did enjoy your short but sweet visit out here ... however ... glad you back at BHA and all your furbabies!
Little Pete is so cute!!
Anonymous said…
glad you had a great trip and enjoyed family and sights. I am from New Mexico, spent some time in NC for school and Ohio (first job). I love the green BUT for me there are too many trees in the way ;-) I have to have a bare horizon and be able to see for miles.
Glad you both are health wise because I was a bit worried about your activities and the altitude (there is such a thing as altitude sickness,) but if you stay hydrated and take it easy.
I love your blog, just am the technodinosaur so don't submit comments often.
THE BEARDED ONE said…
WHAT GREAT BEAUTY AND SUCH GREAT THOUGHTS TO MAKE IT COME ALIVE...WONDERFUL.. HAPPY Y'ALL ARE BACK SAFE AND SOUND...HAVE A SUPER DUPER DAY !!!!!


EDGAAR C. BEARD
This N That said…
Welcome home...so glad your trip home was uneventful and ended on a happy note..I renumber those views form the top of Pikes Peak..The air was very thin..Our Ford Falcon had to be pushed the last mile or so..They have different carborater settings out there to make up for the lo O2 concentration..Pikes Peak was 14,000 feet if I remember...but you know all that..
So glad that you got to experience all that beauty. It is indeed a gorgeous part of our country.
Judy G said…
I love that last picture of your two horses. I could feel their relief and love to have "mom and dad" back home again.
Oh what beautiful views you saw
Welcome home! I'm sure everyone was happy to see you again!
Anonymous said…
Welcome back! I know your furry friends missed you. We love them. Your photos are beautiful. Missing is a pic of the infamous "black van"! Ann and Joe
So glad you're home....safe and sound.
Thanks for the great pics of your adventure.