Vacay for Life

We were MIA for 10 days due to the blissfulness that was our vacation.  Colorado Springs, Breckenridge, Moab, and Denver were all conquered in that time.

We began our time by seeing our good friend from college, Cal.

 He's doing an externship for optometry school in the Springs (not a bad gig, huh?), so we stayed with him over the weekend and ran around the Navigators' land (the family he is staying with is administratively connected to the Navs).

Very cool.  Even though Cal looks a little ridiculous and Dans has a knife at his shoulder.

 Omg.  Best buds!

 It's okay, I know we look really awesome.  I mean REALLY awesome.  I jk.  We were slightly not prepared for our hike that day.  But only slightly.  And if you know me, you know I pride myself on being prepared always.  Perhaps a water-proof watch, additional socks, and a hat would have been helpful.

 We biked around Garden of the Gods in the afternoon.  (Our legs were sore after such an intense day.  "Go big or go home" became our motto.)

Don't judge my look.  Helmets may not be flattering, but my life was spared multiple times over. And who says yoga pants aren't for biking!?

 After such a taxing day, we relaxed the next afternoon by learning how to fly fish (Cal is an avid fisherman).

 The water was cold, my legs were white, and I saw no fish.  Seriously, not one.

 We took off Sunday night and headed to Breck.  Pause mid-drive for a look at the scenery.  Notice my hat?  It's a real original from Pikes Peak Fly Fishing Store or something like that.  It even says "Montana" on the back.  If you think this is the last time the hat will show up, worry not, it will be back shortly.

On the drive into Breck from our hotel, we just had to stop so I could get a squinting picture in front of the ski slopes.

Fatty's Pizza was definitely on our list of "things to do in Breck."

Following our brief stay in Breck, we headed to Moab (our ultimate destination).  And we set up camp.  Yes, CAMP.  This is where I could go on and on about my love of hotels, air conditioning, indoor plumbing, etc. etc.  But I won't.  Just know that a tent is not my first choice of amenities.  Love me some amenities.  Don't judge.

 Alas, we set up our tent, went into town to eat at a restaurant (don't judge), and returned "home" for the night.

 While it may have been my most miserable night of sleep all vacay, it was a good memory.  AND I proved to Dans that I can "rough it."  Just not for long. :)

 The hat returns!  (Arches National Park in Moab, Utah)

 Lotsa hiking, lotsa water drinking, not enough sunscreen.  Whoops!

 This was Danzzz' "artistic" shot of my head.  I know, award winning.

 We SOOOO happy.  And only mildly sunburned at this point.

 Dansie under the big arch.

Timid Heidi under the arch.  I may or may not have walked with my arms forming my body into a T the entire day.   There's just something about crevaces on either side of me that make my stomach go a wee bit cray-cray.

 Then a nice couple offered to take our picture.  Dans tried to strike up conversation with them by asking them where they are from.  They said, "California."  And then the conversation died. A sad moment.

 Landscape arch on our HOT afternoon hike.

 After running out of sunscreen at lunch, a sweet old lady gave us a little.  I want to be the kind lady who does that to unprepared tourists. 

 The final arch on our hike.  I think this is the moment when I said, "My arms are fried.  We have to go back now."  So we did. 

 Apparently I took very few pics in Denver.  But we didn't forget to snag a few of our incredibly poorly-packed car. 

 Seriously.  It's embarrassing.  We may have had to slam the door to keep everything in its place.  Oh well.

 

We ended our trip with breakfast with a few wonderful people.   Anybody recognize these awesome individuals?  :)  Fun times.

So there you have it.  A lovely, rejuvenating, energizing, and hilarious vacation.

Miles hiked:  20+
Meals eaten:  22
Nights camped:  1
Embroidered t-shirts purchased:  1
People visited:  3
Miles driven:  2000
Ikea's visited:  1
Different versions of Dillon's sighted:  5
Great time had:  2

And life begins again.  But what a wonderful time to check out from reality for a few days.  We should totally vacation for life...

Happy 2!

Today we celebrate 2 years of being married.

Some days are absolutely blissful.

Other days are ho-hum.

And still other days are downright difficult.

Regardless, I'm still tickled pink that I married this man.  He's definitely a winner and I love him to pieces.

And just because I love it, here's the shot when we first saw each other on that hot, humid June day 2 years ago.

Happy day, hubbsie-bear.  Love you a whole stinkin lot.

Wallpaper Shmallpaper

If you are considering putting up wallpaper, I want you to drop those dang wallpaper-putting-up tools and run away as fast as you possibly can.  Think about those sweet, sweet homeowners who will grace your space next.  They don't want to tear down your masterpiece.  They really don't.  But they will.  In fact, they will spend the better part of a week removing a border from the bathroom.  They know you were absolutely meticulous (so meticulous, in fact, that even the light switch and outlet covers are wallpapered), so it will take just as much meticulosity to remove said wallpaper.

This has been my view for the better part of today:

 One sore arm, half a bottle of fabric softener, and hours of Pandora later, this is where I am:

 Not awesome.

 And this is the disaster that I work in:

 So disturbing.

Lord, grant me the patience to finish removing this ding-dang border before I punch a hole in the ceiling or kick my ladder in disgust.

Update to come.......

Top 10 Kansas Experiences

Today's post begins a series that will likely last at least 3 years (because (1) I am forgetful and (2) I'm sure I'll be struggling to think of memorable experiences outside of my beloved hometown).  There are 10 memories every Kansan should make, according to me.  And I should know....I've lived in Kansas for decades. 

The first experience every Kansan should have is the Symphony in the Flint Hills.  If you've never heard of such an event, take a minute to hop over the link above.  I first heard of the event 2 or 3 years ago, and as soon as I looked into it further, I knew I needed to experience such an event.

Thankfully, my parents experienced it last year and decided it was too good to pass up again.  So mom logged onto the interwebs late one evening in March.  (Tickets sell FAST.)  She purchased 4 tickets and I eagerly counted down the days until June 9 arrived.

What follows are pictures from my phone, so don't expect anything too magical.  It'll just give you a taste of the gloriousness that is the Symphony in the Flint Hills.

 

If you've seen The Hunger Games, you can't say this doesn't look like the cornucopia.  Yes, there were times I sniped a glance behind me to make sure no one was about to attack.

 Authentic covered wagon rides.  Very bumpy, but quite breezy as well.

 A little treat for the concert.  And stripes all around.  What a perfect moment.

 Super-hubs!  It was ridiculously helpful having a bright pink chair in the sea of 7,000 dark-colored camping chairs.

 

Post-concert harmonica player.

A good time was had by all.  So check it out.  It was such a lovely event.

Do you have any Kansas experiences that must make my top-10?  Holler so I can (1) experience them for myself and (2) tell others about them.

Happy Monday!