Denver Daze

Some more great pictures from our trip out west.  Colorado is such a beautiful part of the country.  Fresh air, wide open spaces, mountains and the United States Air Force Academy.  I fulled up my lungs with this peaceful energy and tried to take as much mountain air home with me. 

Our first morning there, we got up, flung open the curtains from our hotel room and found all these hot air balloons rising over the sky.  It was so pretty to watch.  This picture doesn't really capture all its glory, but you get the idea.  A beautiful morning. 

Our hotel sponsored hikes all over Colorado Springs.  I joined up with some lovely women to climb Mt. Cutler. 

We were a small group of only three women and our fearless leader, Bev who was so much fun to talk to and follow. 

We made it up over 7,000 feet and the views were just stunning.  This was the type of exercise I wanted, walking up the side of a mountain while gabbing away not realizing how far (and high) you're going.  Win..win! It felt great. 

The two other women on this adventure were, Marquette from Georgia and Denise from California.  Both were so sweet and we had a great conversation all the while hugging the side of a mountain and huffing our way up. 

Once we made it to the top...it was picture time.  We all took turns posing (sometimes twice) for a few shots by Bev.  I may look calm, but if I sat back anymore..I wouldn't be hear to share this story with you...we were literally on the edge! 

Exciting and scary all wrapped into one...it was really high up. 

I'm back home, sadly remembering more moments of our wonderful trip to Colorado.  My behind is still sore from my climb up that steep mountain...but I'm grateful I was able to be there with Joe, met some remarkable women and was able to hike and experience such a great climb. 

Other nice memories...

coffee in the morning with Joe and some fancy dinners out.

Biking around

Seeing this golf course every morning.  Brought back some sweet memories of the golf course I worked at in high school and college. 

Scottish bag-piper every night at 7 on the patio bar.  He'd circle the lake and you'd hear him coming in the distance, then get louder and finally stop and play a tune right out on the patio, and then he'd continue around the lake...so special. 

Poolside reading, relaxing, swimming and school work.

Air Force Academy Chapel...looks like air plane wings, right? So cool. 

Downtown Denver, visiting with my sister Kathy, lunch and shops

The Cog Railway up to Pike's Peak.

 

All week I've found my thoughts drifting back to the Broadmoor and all those wonderful sites of Colorado.  It has to rank up there as one of our most relaxing and peaceful vacations ever. 

If you've never been out west...start planning, it's amazing. 

 

Wishing you all a gentle Sunday and an easy week. 

Thanks for reading. 

 

What's your best vacation ever?