So Drew and I went to Colorado for Fall 2008 vacation....LOVED IT! I probably had a month and a half of activities to fit into one week...We flew out on Saturday 9/20. Rented a Toyota Rav...yeah we'll never buy one! Even though we put over 1000 miles on it in one week, it started at 9000 miles sounding like the insides were rattling around. Such a comforting feeling when driving up the mountains on curvy roads, but we made it in on piece! What we did...Sat 9/20. Go to John & Molly's, we all went to BW's for the Ohio State game. Went back chilled, and headed downtown Denver for the Rockies game. We had 4th Row Left Center Field. And guess who was in the Left Field on the opposing team? Yes Adam Dunn....Drew was a very happy man! Although all the negative chatter towards Dunn could was a bit disturbing....even for me. It wouldn't have mattered who was out there to me. I guess I don't like the phychological games fans try to pull on players. Maybe I didn't have enough beer? lol It started to rain during the game which was kind of funny since we went to a Tigers game with John & Molly during a rainy game...then the sun came out and it was a free double header. Another time for that story. So we then headed to Scruffy Murphy's, walked around Oktoberfest in LODO, etc. Sunday - Drew and I went to Idaho Springs...and up through Mount Evans. My goal was to see a Mountain Goat. I asked the Ranger and he said the very top was closed and that was where they were...I was welcome to hike up the snowy mountain. I didn't think this 5 mile hike was something I wanted to conquer the first real day out...and after a long night out before! Drew and I drove as far to the top as we were allowed, and hiked a bit around the lake. I think the lake photos look the best in Black & White since there were a lot of clouds. We are eventually getting some photos on Drew's site, as well as the few I posted in here (http://www.dwestonimages.com/). My favorite was an aread called Goliath. There are pine trees which live around 2000 years. When they die the twisted branches look very unique! I think it'd be scary but fun to camp there during a full moon! Monday - We woke up around 4:30 AM and left Denver for Colorado Springs. We were at the Garden of the Gods during the sunrise. It was magnificent! The sunshine glowing on the red rocks....the cottontails hopping around (there were a lot), the birds chirping, and a few deer came by! We headed to Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs....went to two mineral springs. We decided we are fans of carbonated water...even if it's good for you. One of the pizza joints was completely decorated in Marilyn Monroe...so I loved it! We stopped in there after drinking all the free mineral water! lol Off to lunch at a restaurant called Solo's. It's a plane...Yes, no lie! It was out by the airport. Go figure! We then went to The Royal Gorge. We arrived a 1/2 hr before the park was closing. So I had to choosed betweent he Aerial Ride, or the mountain incline. I chose the mountain incline. One so I could go down by the water and look up at the bridge, and becuase the wind had really picked up so I wasn't convinced that this ride wouldn't bother me! After the Incline, I walked across the bridge. Interesting....I kept hearing what I thought was a cable lose under the bridge. I might have dismissed it, but a blind man was walking across in front of me and he told his dad what he heard as well! I'm sure his hearing skills are more established! I did have to stand still everytime a car crossed. Now that bothered me! I made it across, and for some reason the way back was more unnerving. I then noticed that some of the boards that tended to move under my feet did not have visible bolts to hold them down. Quite curious....and yet I tried to put it out of my mind. I walked rather quickly on the way back! There were flags of each state on the bridge, so I took one of Ohio...and Colorado. I took some photos from the bridge. None came out very picturesque, only information and can go in the scrapbook someday! We wanted to drive as far south as possible so we could be at the Sand Dunes for Sunrise. After driving through some deserted areas, we stopped and stayed at a B&B. I'll have to fill in the name later becuase I don't recall where this was...... Tuesday - we started making our way to The Sand Dunes early morning...We arrived with all the offices closed. The Dunes were quite different than in Michigan growing up! These looked like a mountain range made out of sand. We walked out to the Dunes, and I was quickly distracted by the rocks in the riverbed. So I walked up the dunes a bit, but turned around and gathered some rocks. I believe the bright green rocks I collected are aventurine. So I gathered some interesting shapes to make some jewelry. Drew walked up I think about 4 mounds, probably 1/3 the way up. I left him with my 1/2 bottle of water, so he did turn around after realizing he didn't have much water! Smart man... We then walked up to Zapata Falls. Wow! This was probably my favorite part of the week. Luckily when we got to the water, our new hiking shoes allowed for us to walk in the water. So we walked over rocks...and do you believe I didn't fall? True! Although Drew was a great help in some tough spots! Since we are inexperienced hikers we didn't have any sort of poles...so Drew was my steady when needed. He has cat like balance so he was good. We walked into what was a cave-like area towards the sound of a waterfall. There around the corner was the waterfall. The photos didn't turn out picturesque unfortunately, but I won't forget the magic I felt there. After slooshing down the trail to the car, we started our drive northwards again. We did pass the UFO, space hut. I don't know how to describe it, but those of you who have seen it or heard of it will know. I think it was a dome covered in aluminum foil...very small, but in the middle of a field on the side of the road. So VERY obvious! The aliens can't miss this individual! We didn't get to do 2 Passes on my list....Drew and I did stop and take some photos when we first spotted the magnificent yellow aspens! In the evening we finally found a place to sleep, and the next day I was able to see what a darling little area it was! It's called Red Stone, CO. We left pretty early to try to get some sort of a sunrise. Wednesday - We didn't get a "sunrise", but to me even better. Due to the late leaves changing and lack of snow, the road to Maroon Bells was open! When I read it was one of the most photographed places in the "World", I figured I had to visit! Yes it was amazing...and there were 20-30 photographers there! It possibly is our Christmas Card photo this year....we'll see! We drove around Aspen, Copper Mtn, ate lunch in Breckenridge. These were most interesting to me due to hearing about my High School friends talking about them, and I'd not visited them. I did visit Breckenridge on a college vacation with mom and dad. I said then I wanted to live in Breckenridge or Boulder....still could! Although there were some skateboarder dudes hanging out with the wait staff....Drew pointed out we have nothgin in common with these people. Maybe those people yes, but I'm up for hanging with anyone as long as they are cool, positive people! We headed back to Denver and stayed with John (Molly was in CBUS on business - funny, but kind of a bummer!). Thursday - We woke up before 5 AM to make the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Well dues to my tired brain...I had a few map reading difficulties! We missed possibly the best sunrise! The sky was blue, and before you could even see the sun, white rays of light were shooting up. Yep I blew it! I took a photo with bldgs in the background just to torture myself I guess! lol We saw some Elk when we arrived in Estes Park. Some other photographers scared them away when Drew was able to get some good lighting. We hurried and went up to Rocky Mountain National Park for morning light...there were quite a bit of elk. All but once were they within a good distance for a photo. I did put one photo in here though....We made it over to Grand Lake. Still a place I would really like to live. It's definitely grown since the beginning of our honeymoon Sept. 2005. We ate lunch on the waterfront, which they didn't have a place like that in '05. Drove back to Denver. Friday - Woke up and took the dogs for a walk in the Molly Brown park by John & Molly's house. Threw the stick for them to chase in the stream a bit...We drove to Georgetown to hunt for Mountain goats....still no. Went up through the mountains. That drive was interesting! One lane, the other was dug out due to road construction. Saturday - Listened to the OSU game, Drew flwe home, John & I went to the Coors tour...then to lunch in Golden. Sunday - Went to breakfast and actually chilled. Headed over to my work's facility for my week of business in Denver then. Love CO...I guess I need to visit when there is snow before saying I want to live there. :-)
Drew picked me up from the airport, and we drove off to Hocking Hills for a Romantic getaway! We brought Annie and Zoey since it was dog friendly....they said they loved it too! Except mom and dad spent too much time in the hottub! Ha! We stayed at Old Man's Cave Chalets, and you get your own freestanding chalet with a hottub on the back deck. I'll provide the website later. We also had a Hot Stone couples massage. That was my first Hot Stone massage, and I loved it! There was only one time the heat was a bit much, but that was when the stones were placed in my hands. I just turned my hands over so the stones rested on the table until the heat lessened.
We will probably go back when the weather is warmer and we can go hiking. I'm unsure if we will take the girls hiking however. They are socialized, but will want to visit with everyone who walks past us. Since Hocking Hills can get a lot of foot traffic...just not sure!
It would be a nice place to go with friends too....they have larger lodges with pools, etc. you can rent. Here's the site and I've directed it to go to the chalets...Jen
http://oldmanscavechalets.com/content/blogcategory/27/52/
Well since my promotion in January I've been traveling a lot! January to Arlington, VA/DC; Febraury to Grand Rapids, MI...then to Seattle for 10 days but via a Denver stop on the way out....stayed with john & molly. March has actually been calmer with my most recent trip to Phoenix then Sedona via Dallas to hopefully have a visit with my dad. April I think I'm only going back to Grand Rapids. I do plan on sharing my special photos and some thoughts about the places I've been visiting. Just trying to turn business travel into pleasure as well. Hoping Drew can soon make a trip with me as well. More later....Jen
Hello all... I hope VOX doesn't kick me out of here, but I only signed up so that I could comment on my dear friend Barbara's blog. So.... please forgive me but that's all you get from me! :)
Thanks,
Jen
Va in October is beautiful! I was there on business and Drew drove down to meet me. We went to Appomatox, The natural Bridge, and drove home through the Blue Ridge Parkway. We've decided to discover a new state in the US every year~Jen
A few weeks ago Brandon and I took our engagement pictures. Here are some of the good ones!
This year at Tech I had to move into a new apartment. It is one street over from my old one and about the same except my room is smaller now! Finally, after all the frustration of moving out and moving in, I feel pretty settled into the new place. It is still the ghetto and in some ways worse than Stadium (we didn't have blinds on our windows when we moved in!). I'm sure Stadium Apartments will be torn down soon to make way for the new "luxury condos" for the rich alumni. Anyway, here are some picture of my new place now that it is decorated, it feels more homey:)
This past weekend was my sister's wedding. It was a lovely day and everyone had a good time (or at least I think they did!). Well since Barbara, is busy on her honeymoom right now I will go ahead and put up a few pictures from the wedding. I'm sure she will write on her vox page about the experience soon.
This past weekend Brandon and I spent Saturday with his family at their place along the Potomac River. They prepared delicious food and threw us a wonderful engagement party. It was the first time our extended families met and I think it went very well. I hope they all liked each other! I love spending time with the family and can't wait to spend many more occasions as part of his family! Here are some pictures from the trip.
Brandon and I have set our wedding date! It is September 21,2008. I know the planning process has just begun but it is still fun and exciting- for now! The ceremony will be at my home church, Hamilton Baptist and the reception at Whitehall Manor.
