On sweets, sweat, and the definition of success

Taking a quick break today from vacation posts to share today's adventure!
On my last day of official vacation (Goodbye 6 weeks, you were very very good to me) JR and I took a day trip adventure to the tiny, tiny town of Glen Haven, CO.  It's about an hour west of Fort Collins in Roosevelt National Park and only about 8 miles away from beautiful Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park.
We hit the road early (after a stop for coffee, of course) and got to town about 9:15 am.  This is a view of the entire town:

We stopped at the General Store to split a cinnamon roll for breakfast.   It's also known as "the cinnamon roll place", and oh goodness was it delicious! 

 

Then we headed out to hike the Crosier Mountain Trail.  It's a 9 mile roundtrip trail that starts out at ~7000 feet and hits a peak at ~9000 feet.  The hike is beautiful!  It has an area filled with steep climbing and lots of switchbacks, followed by a wonderful meandering meadow with great views of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Then it's back to tree covered mountain climbing...uphill...and more uphill.  So we never made it to the top of Crosier Mountain, but we did see these beautiful views:

 

 

Not making it to the top was originally a dissapointment to me.  There was a clear goal when we set out (the top), which we "failed" to make.  It's so interesting to me how pervasive this thought process is within myself and our culture as a whole.  We had gone on a great hike, had practically the whole trail to ourselves, enjoyed each other, enjoyed nature, and had gotten some good exercise in as well.  What about this was a failure?  Well, nothing, I think - so I'm glad to have realized my original feelings were less than accurate!

After our hike, we headed back to town to do a bit of shopping at Leah's Artisan shop.  I bought some great antique mexican tiles for $3 a piece to use as coasters - all they need is a little felt!

Finally, we stopped at a picnic area along Big Thompson River for a truly Colorado experience.  In Colorado, we both hike and picnic with beer.  It's required.

Bye, from the happy hikers!

Vacation Days 3 & 4

Vacation continued with the end of my time in Philadelphia and a short stay in Lancaster pre-international travel.

I got to have brunch with Meagan at The Gold Standard Cafe in West Philadelphia. 

The food was good, but the comedy of errors style distractions were a bit much - uncomfortably warm, at least 3 wait staff helping us (all of whom seemed equally confused), and the dropping of a pen into our water carafe.  But, I got to talk wedding planning ad nauseum with Beth and Meagan which was good for my soul!

Then I got to spend the day lounging around the house with my family and do final travel preparations.  Poochini says "hi"!

Vacation Day 4 was filled with travel - first to Newark International (sucks), then all the way across the pond, where we landed in Paris!  Paris welcomed us kindly:

Vacation Day 2

So I had grand plans of regular updating over vacation - that certainly didn't happen! Still, better late than never:

Day 2 of vacation was also spent in Philadelphia.  It was a rainy, rainy, rainy day in Philly which was good for the soul of this recent Colorado resident.  The day started out with breakfast at Green Eggs Cafe (one of my favorite Philly brunch spots)

I resisted the urge to eat this:

the kitchen sink

But I ended up with a delicious omelet instead. Brunch was had with 2 of my favorite people, Julie and Ben!  Julie is both pregnant and adorable, as I had anticipated! (So great to see you guys!)

Then, it was off to the crazy indoor flea market in Philadelphia with Meagan to find a white elephant gift for her Holidays in July party later that evening.  This was the win of our shopping trip:



Also apparently known as "smittens"

The Holidays in July party was then a fantastic and creative feast including delicious sangria, stuffing in the form of muffins - "stuffins", turkey burgers with delicious cranberry infused condiments, grilled vegetables topped with marshmallows, and pumpkin pie flavored popsicles - "pumpsicles".  The pumpsicles in particular were delicious and the party included a festive fire with christmas carols and the gift swap.  I totally came home with the smittens (you are welcome, Jeffery).

Hi, Ben!



Another guest brought beer from my new home town - I was so excited! Also, somersault is delicious!

Hi, other Ben!