A Day with Owyn

Owyn 09/28/09

Yesterday I arrived back in Phoenix to spend a few days helping Chelsea with Owyn so she can catch up on homework and have a little fun.  How could I resist an opportunity to spend some time with this cutie?  I even received a free flight from Chelsea's frequent flier miles that are expiring soon. Owyn is quite the ham.  He is always wiggling around, trying to get up and go.  He smiles, coos and sticks out his tongue to mimic me.  I wish Whitney was still in Arizona, I miss you Whitney!

Rocky Mountain National Park: Scenic Drive

On Sunday I talked Scott into a scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road.  A huge storm system was riding on our tail as we traveled 50 miles across the park from Grand Lake to Estes Park dropping plenty of snow.

As we climbed past the tree line to an elevation of 12,183 feet, the darkness and wind became intense and drop offs were very scary! Signs were posted warning of the dangers of lightening, so we did not stray far from the car while we were way up there.

As we traveled up and down in elevation and in and out of the storm's path, we jumped out to try and capture the beauty of the beginning of fall in the park. 

This was simply a Sunday drive and our first visit to the park, there are so many things to do and see in the park everyone says you need at least a week. One of my friends was hiking the day before and viewed bear, elk, deer and mouse!  Maybe next summer? Who wants to join us?

Winter Park Fall Day Trip

Saturday Scott and I set out northwest 75 miles to Winter Park for another Colorado adventure.  Scott did not care where we went this time, he just wanted to be in the mountains. I heard a classmate talking about the Alpine Slides in some of the mountain towns and I wanted to try one. 

We took about a ten minute chairlift ride up where we enjoyed the nice weather and beautiful fall colors.  (Unfortunately I dropped my camera case from the chairlift taking these pictures)  The ride down the 3000 ft slide was so fun as we dropped 610 vertical feet!  What a blast!!!  After the slide we decided to hike to the top of the mountain so we packed up some water and snacks and headed up. 

The hike was more than I thought it would be and I had to keep removing layers as we headed up.

Scott kept asking if I wanted to turn around and I kept refusing because I wanted to make it to the top.  However, we never made it all the way before we decided to turn around because my legs felt like jello and my heart was racing.  I was so disappointed and Scott tried to excuse my tiredness on hiking at 10,000 ft elevation. Whatever, I was still disappointed! 

The views were worth the exhaustion as usual.

Cheyenne Canon Hiking

On Labor Day Scott and I decided to continue our adventures near Manitou Springs, CO and actually headed out of the house at 10:30 am. We wanted to see Seven Falls and go on a hike in Cheyenne Canyon. The sky was clear and blue and the traffic light so I anticipated our next holiday weekend adventure would be not too crowded. Wrong again! As we pulled up to the Seven Falls Entrance traffic stopped and for as far as I could see cars were stopped and people were actually getting out to see why? We waited for a good twenty minutes with the line only moving when a car pulled out to turn around and leave. Scott and I decided we would do the same. We found a parking place along the road and decided we would just hike into the canyon. We started our hike on the Lower Columbine Trail.
The day was beautiful and hot! Not sure exactly what the temperature was but in the high 80's for sure. As we hiked the trail along the water where there was shade it felt much cooler.
Once we arrived at the end of the lower Columbine trail the mid Columbine was closed due to erosion so we choose to walk about 1 mile down a busy narrow road to get to the Mt. Cutler trail.Hiking up Mt. Cutler I was out of breath and super hot! As we went up the mountain the temperature dropped and the view from the top was well worth the work. Actually there were beautiful views along the entire hike. Views of the canyon, city and even a far away view of Seven Falls. I took over 100 beautiful pictures of various views throughout our hike I wish I could share all of them. Dogs are allowed on these trails and I want to bring Millie. Poor Sparky would not be able to hike these steep trails with her poor knee:(

The lady we spoke to at the Starsmore Discovery Center says the hike is breathtaking in the Fall, wouldn't you love to come and do this hike with us this fall? The best thing about this day: FREE!! All we had to pay for was Gas which was less than 1/4 of a tank in my Toyota Rav4 round-trip! Can't wait for our next adventure.

Make sure you click on my pictures and view them enlarged!

Manitou Springs Colorado

Sunday Scott and I jumped in the car and headed to Colorado Springs to explore something new. At the time we were not sure what but I remembered a special program I viewed on Manitou Springs a town right between the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. The area was once considered sacred by Native Americans because of the eleven natural mineral springs supplied by Pikes Peak. The town offered more than Scott or I expected and was so busy and crowded we had trouble finding parking and almost left. The views around the town were beautiful as expected, the weather was nice and shops were interesting and worth checking out. Scott and I walked around and sampled the different mineral springs each with a unique taste, one was like drinking Alka Selzer, no joke!When we found ourselves good and hungry we stopped and ate lunch at The Mate Factor Common Grounds Cafe. I tried drinking a raspberry mate and Scott and I shared a tuna melt and a turkey wrap that were amazingly tasty. I had never heard of Yerba Mate a tea that apparently contains more antioxidants and vitamins than Green Tea. I felt good and energized after my drink could it be the tea or just psychological?
There was so much to do and see in this area, including eating, shopping, hiking, biking, Pikes Peak, Seven Falls, Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cave of the Winds as well as camping, cabins and Bed and Breakfasts and so much more, check out the website. Exploring everything this area has to offer will take many day trips and we are excited because this is only a one hour drive from where we live! Driving less than one hour in Colorado beauty between Highlands Ranch and Colorado Springs is much better than my old one hour daily drive to work between Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ.

Chelsea and Owyn I Miss You!

Scott and I kept ourselves busy this three day weekend exploring more of Colorado and forgetting about work, job searches, housework and homework. But no matter what we do or where we go I always find something that makes me think "I wish my kids were here". This weekend we were in Manitou Springs exploring the shopping district and I came across a store called "The Hodge Podge".
I literally did a double take and headed across the street to take pictures to share with Chelsea. Before Chelsea started her Homestyle Hodge Podge blog I rarely heard the term. I miss Chelsea and Owyn!

Garden of The Gods

Today is the second day of our three day end of summer weekend and Scott and I feel we have so much to explore and do in this wonderful state and not enough time and money. This weekend we decided to go do one thing each of the three days that is close to home, inexpensive or free and new. Yesterday we explored the 16th street mall and Taste of Colorado (both free) and today we woke up late, laid around until noon and decided to jump in the car and drive 45 minutes to Colorado Springs. I had researched a list of things we could do and figured we would decide when we arrived. One of our stops was at the "Garden of the Gods". The weather was a bit stormy with on and off rain and lightening so we chose not to hike. Scott had fun climbing on a few rocks as we walked around taking in the beauty of the red rocks, pines and stormy sky. The drive through the park is absolutely breath taking and totally free!! The Visitor and Nature Center is free as well and worth the stop on the way in or out.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

A Taste of Colorado

Denver's Hard Rock Cafe on the 16th Street Mall down the street from the Civic Center

Scott and I have been in Colorado for over two years now and this weekend is our third Labor Day Weekend here. Every year we hear about this "must do" event in downtown Denver called "A Taste of Colorado". Today we decided what the heck let's jump on the light rail and go check it out. During our 20 minute ride light rail ride to downtown Denver Scott revealed to me that he had never been to downtown other than the Pepsi Arena for a Suns vs. Nuggets game with Sean. As we entered the event we were shocked by the size and amount of people there. I heard all of the mountain towns would be crowded this weekend too, where do all the people come from?

Colorado State Capitol behind the crowd!

At the event there were numerous food, beverage, arts and crafts booths although, purchasing food or drinks required tickets and those tickets are bought with cash only! We only had $10 cash so we headed to one of the many ATM's that were set up around the event. I swiped my card entered my pin and the power was disconnected. I freaked out and waited for the machine to reboot and swiped my card, entered my pin and requested cash and the machine displayed "transaction canceled" Scott and I looked at each other and thought maybe we are not meant to have cash? We decided to inch our way through the crowd and head out to the 16th Street Mall where there was more breathing room.

16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver

After a nice walk up and down the mall and an uncrowded bite to eat, we thought maybe the crowds had died down and we could attempt heading back into the event. Whatever!

The crowds were worse and more drunk. I could not believe the lines for beer! Not that it mattered to us because neither of us wanted one. We only had $10 in tickets and the lines were so crazy we only bought a coffee and samples of cupcakes. We walked around the open areas away from the food and enjoyed the beautiful weather, scenery and music. I wish we could have sampled all the great food we smelled. Note to self.......next time try to come earlier in the day and bring cash!

A pleasant break from the crowd!

Could this be Empty Nest Syndrome?

Lately, the smallest reminders of my children as children brings tears to my eyes and causes my chest to hurt and my throat to feel as though there is a lump in it. There is no escaping these small reminders. Anyone who knows me understands my obsession with organization and lately I have been trying to eliminate unnecessary stuff I have been holding on to. Maybe this is not a good time but I am unemployed and want to make the most of this time by getting rid of clutter and making money by selling on Craigslist or Ebay. Today I pulled out a box of old CD's and was sorting through them when I came across the soundtrack for the Disney movie Tarzan. I instantly began to cry as memories of my kids and I singing and dancing to the CD came to mind. When I am out shopping and see a mother disciplining her child I try to tell myself see Jen all that chaos is over and now you have the freedom to shop without the pressure of "mommy I want this" or the stress of "I need to use the bathroom, I am hungry, When are we going home?" However, none of that works for me as I still get emotional, teary eyed and confused at where the time has gone. I feel like there is so much I wanted to do and experience with my kids and never got to. Sometimes I get upset with myself because I am upset. Eighteen years ago I was turning twenty-two and giving birth to my third and last child with excitement at the fact that I would be forty years old and my baby would be eighteen. Over the past eighteen years as I met women who traveled and experienced life before children I would think that's okay because I will be forty and all of my kids grown and I can travel and experience life at that point. Now here I am turning forty and my baby turning eighteen and all I can do is feel empty and sad. My kids practically grew up with me, they are my life and although I am proud of their achievements I want them back as my adorable, cute pain in the butt little kids.