Catch Up: Summer in Colorado

So much for "busting out a bunch of posts to get up-to-date." Oh, well.

Summer is my favorite time of year, and it's just beautiful here in Colorado. As we move out of the last, few dwindling days (that already feel like fall), it's kind of nice to look back on the warmth and relaxation of summer.

While we didn't hike and camp nearly as much as I would have liked this year (we're too busy!), we were able to get out for a nice weekend up in Peaceful Valley a while back. We started by killing some time in Lyons at a small, outdoor market and a delicious restaurant:

Then we relaxed at our campsite, reading and enjoying the fire:

The next morning, we headed up the trail to Blue Lake in the Indian Peak Wilderness:

So pretty.

I love flowers.

Is that Blue Lake? No, it's Mitchell Lake. Not there yet.

The many other bodies of water we crossed/passed on our journey. Is that Blue Lake? No. Is that Blue Lake? No...

We made it! Oh, hooray!

Hanging out at Blue Lake with the marmots.

Ahh, nature.

The following weekend, we took Belle up to Fort Collins to explore her soon-to-be new home. We'd spent some time up in the city with friends, so we deemed ourselves experts. We aren't, really, but I think we helped Belle feel a little more aware of where things are. And if not, it was still a good time.

In Old Town.

Belle's dorm!

Ready to conquer CSU!

Campus things.

We also checked out Horsetooth Reservoir, which is beautiful, but we stupidly did not take pictures. Guess we have to go back up for a visit!

Belle has now been off living the college life for a few weeks, and I think she's having fun - and learning tons, I'm sure.

One of my favorite summer activities is not unique to Colorado, but I think we do it better here (even though I don't really have the experience to say that). It's the Renaissance Festival! My sisters and I traditionally go together each year, and it's especially fun when I can catch sight of the prince, aka: my hero from Dark Deeds.

Cheering at the joust, being abducted by Prince Edward, and hanging out!

The delicious food! Yum!

Lounging around watching shows (Washing Wenches) and the joust.

Saying farewell to the faire (and the random unicorn) until next year!

Reliving the fun, summer activities makes it even harder to think about going to work tomorrow. But we have lots of fun stuff coming up in fall, too! Of course, with the rate I'm going, you won't read about it until next year...

A Hodge Podge of Summer Stuff

We've had lots of fun and exciting things going on out here. Of course, I've had lots of homework, as well. I'm only days away from finishing my crazy summer of way too many classes, and I'm so excited. Soon, I hope to return to normal schedules in work, homework, sleep, and blogging. Until then, I'm still super behind on posting. Since my last post, we've taken a little mini vacation to Glenwood Springs, had fun at the Renaissance Festival and in Colorado Springs with our niece during her senior trip, gone backpacking in with some friends in the Rawah Wilderness, taken a camping trip to Gunnison (me only), and spent two days at the Mile High Music Festival where we saw my loves, the Dave Matthews Band. And I leave tomorrow for a trip with my mom to see my grandparents in Arkansas. So by December, I may finally be up-to-date on blogging!

Anyway, looking back a few weeks, Matt decided that we needed a romantic and relaxing getaway. It was pretty awesome, especially given Matt's history with romantic gestures (they're usually genuine and sweet, but far between). So we headed out after work to Glenwood Springs, the location of our first romantic getaway over four years ago.

Our destination.

Whoa! It's a double rainbow!! What does this mean?

Our quaint and beautiful room at Hotel Denver.

When we got in Friday night, we went straight to the hot springs pool to relax.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.

The next morning we got up for a hike to Hanging Lake. The last time we were in Glenwood, it was too early in the season to make it up the snowy trail. So we were very excited to finally make it up to the lake. Unfortunately, the trail was closed for maintenance. I guess we're destined to not make it up to that lake. At least not for another few years.

Instead, we went up the Grizzly Creek trail, which was still pretty.

The creek.

A snail. We came across an area with TONS of snails.

TONS of snails all over the ground.

Matt, in a halo of light.

The trail.

Our hotel.

We had a nice lunch at the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company (attached to our hotel) before heading back to town. It was a short, but fun trip. And I bought a wildflower book as a souvenir!

Now I can be an expert on hikes.

We got home from our trip just in time to greet our niece as she arrived for her Colorado senior trip. She came with a friend and was chauffeured by her grandparents (my in-laws). While she was here, we checked out the Colorado Renaissance Festival and Colorado Springs's Cave of the Winds. She and her friend also made their way to the top of Pike's Peak via cog train, went to the King Tut exhibit (Matt and I still haven't made it there yet!), and did some shopping.

We had lots of fun at the Ren Fest. I go every year with my sisters, so this year we met up with them for a bit while we were there. We saw lots of shows, including all three "episodes" of the joust!

Bria (our niece) and Heather (her friend) got Henna tattoos at the Ren Fest.

Ren Fest joust. This guy was the good guy, but we were rooting for the bad guy (only because we were sitting in his section... don't judge us).

Turkey leg!!

Enjoying the joust - round 2.

My sister cheering during the joust - round 2.

Washing Wenches show. It was pretty funny.

Prince Edward taking care of business. You may notice that Prince Edward looks an awful lot like Jack Swan. Hmm...

Everyone met up for the final joust! So exciting!

The bad guy won! It was crazy! But then he turned good, so it was ok.

Bria and Heather, our King and Queen.

We also had a good time at the Cave of the Winds with Bria, Heather, and Matt's folks, though it was pretty much the same as it was when I went twice in high school. But I think the girls enjoyed it.

View from the visitor's center entrance to the cave.

Us.

Bria and Heather. "It's so high!"

Rex and Debi.

Bria and Heather with our tour guide. They kinda thought he was cute.

We enjoyed having them all out for a few days, and I hope that Bria had a good time. We wish her lots of luck as she starts college!!

And then, we were on to the next event! But that's for another post.