All Work and No Play...

Last week I went to Colorado for a few college fairs, which are always fun. College reps are a whole new brand of people, and I love, love, love being around them--very outgoing, very proud of their school, very funny! There is never a dull conversation between a couple college reps, believe you me. (Being among few, if any, Mormons does mean that I am unable to understand some of these conversations, however. I have no clue when they name types of alcohol, and a few jokes fly right over my head! These moments, small and far between, make me proud of my peculiarity!)

Even the fairs alone would be enough to make the week a worthwhile, fun trip--but the trip automatically became better when Dane told me that he could come too! Now, I think one reason for Dane's attendance was to be my personal chauffeur--very sweet--but also very smart--I have had little to no experience driving in large cities like Denver. The second, and primary, reason--to play with his adorable wifey!

Here are a few--okay, many--pictures from our little adventure. On a side note: I won't feel bad if you don't make it to the bottom--that's almost a journey itself!

First thing I have to say--I survived! I feared having a heart attack or falling to my death on the gondola! The ride was more relaxing than anticipated, but I prefer to keep these feet on the ground!


Dane and I spent the first day or two in Aspen! I can definitely see why it is the number one snow sport destination in the world--it is beautiful! The people there were so nice to open their city to us--giving us free passes to the gondola, a beautiful reception, and a great welcome!


I loved the Garden of the Gods, our first stop in Colorado Springs. I won't lie--I thought it would be a little lame--but I loved it. The rock formations were a-m-a-z-i-n-g!


Sorry about this one--just a posed picture of Dane and I on our little hike! I do have to say that most of our pictures like this were done with Dane's skill--finding a nearby rock or chair, setting the timer, and running back to pose! He has some skill!


The Balance Rock was spectacular! So big! So beautiful! I think it was my favorite stop in the Garden of the Gods!


Dane and I went to Seven Falls in Colorado Springs--so worth the stop! We saw a beautiful waterfall and got to ride an elevator in the middle of a mountain!


I thought hauling my lazy bum up those stairs wouldn't be too bad, but Dane and I definitely felt the effects during and after the hike. I guess you climb up about 1,000 feet in elevation by the time you make it to the top. I blame the lack of breath at the end on the altitude sickness!


I am deathly afraid of heights, so I am not sure how I managed to take this picture on our way down--I was shaking like crazy the entire time down those steep stairs! (This isn't from the top though--I don't know if I could have taken a picture from much higher up!)


Dane and I headed to a candy factory to see how candy is made--plus get a few free samples. Those free samples are so enticing sometimes! I have seen how candy is made on television, but seeing it in-person was so much better!


The entire room was full of candy--I think I was in heaven at the time! (I think Dane even made a comment about that to someone--sheesh!) So many candy canes--I was ready for Christmas to come after I saw all of them. They have some really fun flavors like apple pie and cranberry! All handmade too. It was so much fun to see how they were made!




We traveled to Lookout Mountain to visit a museum about the one and only...Buffalo Bill! This man was a true celebrity! Thousands of people attended his funeral, and many more mourned his death! He was quite a fascinating man! He was quite a showman!


Dane and I took a quick pic in front of his grave. Buffalo Bill claimed that you could see land from four different states from the top of Lookout Mountain. Quite frankly, most of what I could see included several cell phone towers. Sad day!


I put this one up just because it make me laugh so hard. I think these are meant for little kids, and some other tourists gave us some looks as we tried to work this shot out. We look so tough, don'tcha think!


Here I am getting ready to lasso a calf. Just ignore the fact that my horse has no legs! (This is all about the experience!)


The "Tattered Cover" is a wonderful little bookstore in LoDo, a fun part of Denver. Dane and I have a serious passion for books, so we had to pick up a new book as a souvenir from the trip. I think the book is my favorite souvenir. (We are one book closer to our dream library!)


Isn't it just wonderful inside? I could have spent an entire day inside! A true bookworm's dream come true!


Dane is posing with our desserts at the Hard Rock Cafe. I have never been to one before, and the atmosphere is ridiculously cool! I was in heaven when we found the guitar signed by Bonnie Rait and stuff from Eric Clapton, two of my favorites!


This picture is a little cheesy, I know! I was just so excited to be at the Hard Rock Cafe! (Those revolving doors gave me a little anxiety--I got in the same time as Dane, and there definitely was not enough room for the two of us! I almost lost a foot!