Joy is a cold beer and the Rockies

Colorado has been an unexpected joy.  I have to admit, I thought we’d spend a couple of days here and move on, but it’s been nearly a week and we’re still here.  Fort Collins (where Patrick’s old and my new friend Josh lives) is a cute, very walkable college town with cheap (and good!) beer and buffalo wings.  Ok, I know that shouldn’t necessarily be the 1^st thing I tell you about, but honestly, it was THAT good.

Ok, on to the NATURAL wonders of Colorado.  It’s beautiful—the Rockies are just as majestic as one would imagine.  The snow that fell consisted of snowflakes so large you could see the minute differences between each flake, and so light that you could shake your hair and see the snow float off like fairy dust. 

We attempted snowboarding for the first time—and thankfully (and in contrast to our usual catastrophes) P and I came away in one piece—minus the initial venture on the chair lift in which we collapsed in a heap. Our instructor assured us that in all his time teaching that only 2 people had fallen on their first chair lift run.  P and I DOUBLED his number in seconds!  It was hilarious and we had a great time.

 

(the gang post adventure!)

We also went up to Rocky Mountain National Park, which was absolutely incredible.  The mountains, streams, snow, forests…all so different than anything I’ve seen growing up in Hawaii or living in California.  We also got to see several herds of wild elk (MUCH bigger than one would imagine!).  Patrick encouraged me to get closer to take my pictures but Josh (future vet) and I determined that might end up catastrophically….though it may have made for a REALLY good story!

(Seriously.  Look at how big these guys are compared to the house...HUGE!)

  

(This doesn't do it justice....it was so beautiful!)

(A halfway frozen river!)

And delightfully, Colorado seems to be full of animal sculptures, so I’ve been busy attacking each one with gusto!

(Taming the bear in the National Park)

(Covert pic in the resource center)

(small sculptures or big ones...I'm ON IT--with a little help from P)

(ok, honestly, do the sculptures HAVE to be so realistic?!?!?)