I was fortunate enough to fly back home to Colorado for my Labor Day
weekend. Considering we only have two holiday breaks, one being Labor
Day, and the other being Thanksgiving, I felt it necessary to use that 4
day weekend to enjoy myself. Two weeks into school and I was already
so eager to go home and see Ry. I flew back early Saturday morning.
Ryan and I headed to breakfast, dropped off my luggage at home, and
started our college football Saturday with a delicious Bloody Mary bar
at a local dive called College Inn. Coming home to 80 degree weather,
college football, and a Bloody Mary bar is the absolute best way to kick
off a vacation. I felt immediately relaxed. After leaving the bar at
around 12:30, we headed over to our cousin, Erick's house for a day of
college football. Ryan and I wore our CU Buffs shirts for the rivalry in
Denver against Colorado State. Although CU played like crap and lost to CSU, we still enjoyed homemade chicken nachos, delicious beer, hummus and veggies, and guacamole. After the disappointing performance CU put on, Ryan and I both changed into our OU gear. (Yes, not to worry my fellow Normanites, OU will forever be my #1 team). The game wasn't on in Colorado but we were rooting for them in spirit and following the surprisingly slow game on our ESPN app. <-- There's an app for everything now days. I thoroughly enjoyed a full day of lounging on the couch, drinking, eating, watching football, with no school responsibility in sight!
Sunday was a relaxing day for us as well. I had some studying to do, so after a quick (or rather not so quick) 4 mile run I ate breakfast and hit the books. Ryan was really good about letting me get my school work done and being patient with me as I made him wait for our day to begin. After I decided I had studied enough, we stopped by my place of recent employment and saw a couple of my nursing buddies. It's always cool to go back to a place that you found yourself spending so much time. I couldn't help but think how nice it was I was going back by choice, and not because it was 6:15 am and time for me to get my butt to work. Ryan also took me to a brewery that had newly opened called Prost. It is a German themed brewery that only brews German style beers with German copper kettles they had shipped over.... pretty darn cool! Ryan and I had been anticipating their opening but of course they didn't open until I was already in Texas. Being the patient man my husband is, he waited until I came home to visit this new little gem as well. And I have to say, their beers were good!
A day full of shopping, beer, eating, and movies was exactly what I needed. It was so nice to just have a normal day with Ryan, like I had never left.
Monday, after a short stent of studying, Ryan and I headed up to St. Mary's Glacier for a quick hike. Talk about beautiful!! The drive up was awesome. The two of us, blaring our favorite songs with the windows rolled down, driving in the 70 degree weather, screaming the lyrics to the mountains... it was perfect. When we got to the parking lot before our hike I realized in my post Anatomy/Physiology haze I had forgotten my socks and hiking boots in the living room. All I had were the sandals on my feet!
At first I was so angry with myself for being so dumb and leaving the one super important item I needed for a hike at home. Ryan, being the more level headed one as usual, said we ought to try hiking in those sandals and just see how it goes and if it doesn't work out we can turn around and leave. I agreed, hoping the hike wouldn't be too difficult with shoes that can slip right off... and he was right, it was fine. I didn't have any problems at all. Wheew! That little set back could have ruined my great mood! Thank goodness everything worked out. And of course the views at the glacier were amazing. I was so glad we took the time to go into the mountains and hike. It was way worth it! The glacier wasn't very big, but I'm sure it'll get back to normal size after it starts snowing again.
We headed back towards Denver slowly, stopping in Idaho Springs for a beer and snack. We also stopped in Golden and hung out at the Golden City Brewery in their beer garden (still one of my favorite beer gardens).
After playing video games at 2Up, an arcade bar, Ryan and his cousin, Erick, took me to a new beer garden in Lowry that they had discovered a week ago. Lowry used to be a Air Force Base, but has since been turned into a residential area with its own shopping centers, restaurants, etc. The beer garden was awesome! Ryan and I split a blue cheese, grilled onion, bacon burger and enjoyed the weather, drinks and scenery. It was a great way to end a fabulous weekend! I flew out Tuesday afternoon and had to face the reality that my short time at home with little responsibility and always available husband was over. It was time to hit the books again and get back to doing what I was here for.... kicking this semesters ass. So far I think I'm achieving that goal very nicely! However, if it weren't for the weekends like that and a husband like Ryan, I wouldn't have the strength or motivation to come back to Texas and go back to business. Thanks for an amazing weekend Ry, I really enjoyed every moment. Can't wait to see you in October!
Hope everyone appreciates their loved ones as much as I do. Distance can do amazing things to perspectives.
