The Hills Are Alive!

Denver Trip...part 4 (and final, sadly)

For Trip Info please see:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

My last full day in Colorado was Tuesday (7/10). As mentioned before, sleep was elusive during the nights we camped out...Monday night saw a grand total of 4.5 hours combined sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night (my middle being defined as 3:30 am) needing to use the toilet. Being a nurse, I figured I could wait it out and would just fall back asleep. Right. An hour of tossing and turning later, I finally grabbed a flashlight and walked across the way (hoping against hope that I might catch a glimpse of some night-wandering elk herd...which did NOT happen).

As I walked back to the campsite, I glanced up at the stars.

Wow.

If you ever want to feel your own insignificance, visit Colorado, go to the mountains, and stand outside your tent at 4:30 in the morning. Psalm 8 immediately came to my mind, and if it hadn't been during "Quiet Time" (aka everyone-is-sleeping) at the campsite, I would have been singing my heart out (at least voicing the cry of my heart):

"When I gaze into the night sky and see the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars suspended in space: Oh what is man that You are mindful of him?"

(end of blurb) :)  (also: no pictures...sorry. Google "Colorado Night Sky images" and that should give you a decent picture or 2)

So, being cold and tired, I snuggled back into my sleeping bag and (after reading through Psalm 8 and a portion of the book of Job) fell back asleep.

In the morning, we all chowed down on some hot oatmeal, finished off any remaining pop tarts (I think), downed some hot chocolate, then packed up the campsite.

Since the evening before, I had been wanting to go out on the lake. After everything was packed up, consensus was that we should head down to the lake for an hour or so.

Sadly, they had no canoes or even kayaks available for rent at the marina. But they did have a paddleboat, which was rentable for a reasonable by-the-hour price. Hudson, Rebekah and I paddled out on the lake for an hour, amusing ourselves by skipping rocks from the boat, observing massive fish swimming beneath us, and listening to some random music. (can I just say that the leg workout from that paddleboat was phenomenal?)

The day was beautiful! Clear skies with just a few perfectly puffed clouds...the drive home was gorgeously, picture-perfect.


We stopped for a quick climb at the Cottonwood Pass Continental Divide. The Coloradans beat me to the top (no surprise there!). The views were breathtaking! I can't even begin to describe the 360 view.

Instead of hiking to the next ridge (someday...when I'm in better shape), we walked down to a snow patch. Caroline and I were both wearing flip-flops (I know...how appropriate to climb up a mountain pass and walk through snow in flip-flops), and we opted to take pics standing in the freezing snow.

Just past the snowy patches was a field of little, white flowers. I couldn't resist the urge to run (as fast I could at that altitude and in flip-flops, bundled as I was) up the hill singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music!"


We headed back to the car for a quick lunch, then drove the rest of the way home (plus a stop in Fairplay for some Java Moose...one of Caroline's "Must. Have. Coffee." moments).

Naps were in store for Caroline and myself upon arrival at home (at least, I took I nap...I think she did too). After dinner with the family (which was as loud and crazy as my family's dinnertimes) and devotions, Caroline indulged my cravings to see more stars and took me up to Red Rocks Amphitheater. Even though there was a concert, we were able to see tons of stars and had a great time talking.

After a full night's sleep, it was time to pack up and head back to Greenville. Hudson and/or David let us know that since it was July 11th, we could get free slurpees at 7-11. Caroline and I made a pit stop on our way to the airport.

Hopefully everyone has been able to catch up on some sleep! I've been on-off-on-off the last week with work (hence the delayed last-Denver-post), but I am pleased to report that I was finally able to unpack my suitcase (exactly one week after arriving home).

In conclusion, the Rockies have to be some of the most beautiful sites in America. But to be truthful, as much as I love Colorado, it would not be nearly as awesome without Caroline and her family. Huge thanks to them for opening their home! Can't wait until my next visit...who knows what adventures await!


Until then, life will go on...and this upcoming Sunday afternoon starts my week-long adventure with the LPs and Christy. Stay tuned for The Little People Go to Washington!
:)