View from the Sand Dunes

A beautiful Colorado sunset as we were leaving the Sand Dunes.  The funny thing is that I wasn’t trying to capture the sunset, I was trying to photograph the mule deer that didn’t even show up here. 

Here is said mule deer, with the amazing Sand Dunes in the background.

It’s impossible to explain how huge the dunes are in words or pictures.

Friday we went to Garden of the Gods just outside of Colorado Springs (both of which I loved, for what it’s worth).  We did a couple of the “easy” hikes (Puh.  Easy for who?, I might ask).  After that, we walked through Manitou Springs.  Friday night we went to a skeezy Indian restaurant.  Hey, I liked my food but no one else liked theirs. 

The red rock formations seem to pop up out of nowhere.  They reminded me of Sedona, but on a much smaller scale.

Pike’s Peak!

The sun was going down by the time we got to Manitou Springs and I was too tired to carry my camera/bag around anyway.  If you’re interested, here are some photos of the cutesy little town.  It reminded me a lot of Gatlinburg.  A nicer Gatlinburg.  I was happy to hear that Theo was getting along just fine.

Saturday em. woke up not feeling so great, so L and I gave her some time to rest while we explored downtown Pueblo, where they are currently travel nursing.  There are quite a few neat little stores, antique malls, and an awesome coffee shop right on the main road.  Pueblo recently installed a riverwalk that was charming on a winter’s day with springtime weather.  It was in the upper 60s and sunny! 

On the way back to the apartment, I got this on my cell phone:

Maybe those tears were there because he didn’t want to be in his car seat; I choose to believe it was because he missed me.  God, I missed him.

After checking on em. and coming to terms with the fact that she was not moving from the couch, L and I decided to take a nearby scenic drive (Frontier Pathways) through the mountains to Westcliffe, Colorado.  Wow.  I don’t know how many times I said it that day or over the course of the weekend, but I can’t imagine living that way.  Talk about wilderness.  I love Target way too much for frontier livin’ ya’ll.  With that being said, it was beautiful.

Can’t you almost see a covered wagon going by?

We had delicious homemade empanadas for dinner and watched a movie called The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia  on Netflix instant streaming.  Have you seen this movie?  Heard about it?  I’m not going to go into the details (because this blog would end up being twice as long), but I thought it was worthy of linking up here.  If you have Netflix, it’s definitely worth streaming.  I bet you a buck that if you start it, you won’t be able to stop it. 

Luckily, the nasty stomach bug up and left sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning so we three gals departed for the airport bright and early Sunday and got to spend a couple more hours chatting about all the fun that had been had.  I was anxious, anxious, and more anxious to get home to see my baby (oh, and my husband too).  Loved the look Theo got on his face when he saw his mama – it was pure happiness.  I’m pretty sure my expression mirrored his.  Looking back through my pictures, I certainly can’t say that I regret the trip.  I even realize that had Theo been with me, the trip would have been very different.  I’m thankful for the opportunity to get away and explore new territory.  When Theo and I reunited, it was like no time had passed at all; it’s the best of both worlds.  What can I say…I’m a happy girl. 

~C~