A long weekend with friends

I don't blog much, if at all, about my job. It is a constant balancing act between what is fulfilling, stressful, life giving and life draining. I love my patients, I dislike some of the processes. Like any job, even though this one has that special aspect of death, loss and grief, there are ups and downs. It has become a main goal of mine to "create a life" versus just "make a living." And in that creation of a life, focusing on my life outside of work, and the self-care that can bring, is where I value my time in nature, time with family and friends, creative time and time, of course, with my greyhound.

I decided it was time, yet again, for a long weekend in Estes Park at my favorite YMCA cabins. I knew the weather would be changing and that October is the perfect time to see leaves turning colors and catch all the elk, deer, wild turkeys, birds, and perhaps even a bear, who are rummaging around getting ready for the cold weather. I booked a large cabin with the thought that I would be okay by myself but maybe I would invite some friends. Kristin's birthday is today, so I invited her and her husband Greg and dog Sammy to join me. It was a three bedroom cabin so I invited Jill along. It was so much fun to have the interaction and friendship, but I also got some time alone as everyone left yesterday and I had last night and this morning to myself (with Rene, of course!).

We got into Estes and everyone met at the visitor center. We walked to the river walk and Greg offered to hold Rene and Sammy while we girls shopped. I was pretty nervous about it, after all my girl can get a little skittish around too many people and activity. But she settled in just fine and I was able to meander into a few stores I haven't been to in quite a while.

 Here is Rene in the water while Greg was greyhound sitting. She looks pretty content, this helicopter mama must admit!

After we walked the shops we checked into the cabin. We got settled in and Greg ran off downtown to get some pizza and beer for himself. We girls of course pulled out the food and wine. And Rene of course found her place on the bed, after spending time with her special friend Sammy. Any view seems to be a breath of fresh air from the YMCA cabins! This was ours from our cabin named "Conifer."

We ate and drank, made a fire and played a long round of 5 Crowns. Jill and I were in bed by 10, Kristin and Greg were up a lot later. That first night no one slept too great, as the fire and the electric heat made the cabin really hot. The next morning, Kristin, Greg and Sammy went into town to get coffee and shop, Jill went to get a massage and I stayed in the cabin working on a craft project, doing a short yoga DVD and watching the white tailed bucks who were snacking just outside the cabin. A blue jay was close at hand as well. Let the wildlife watching begin…

What deer is this? What fawn? Oh wait…it is the greyhound!

No trip to Estes Park is complete without a drive through RMNP. We girls went up yesterday and just drove leisurely through, capturing pictures of the changing colors. Most were yellow, and it was a delight to see pops of yellow peeking through the pines.

By about 5 o'clock everyone headed home. Rene and I went to town to get some dinner and then we settled in the cabin for the night. We drove through RMNP on our way home, and got to glimpse some snow falling on the peaks as well as some rain. It was a lovely fall weekend getaway and I feel refreshed to tackle another week of work, having re-set my appreciation for living one day at a time.

Revisiting Berry Patch Farms

In 2008, Meg introduced me to Berry Patch Farms via Mia's 2nd birthday party. It is a pick your own produce and flower farm in Brighton, and they also have a farmer's market. Since I am not on the Western Slope this year, I was in the mood for a little time on the farm. Saturday I took myself back to Berry Patch Farms, enjoyed the feeling of it all, and bought some delicious fresh produce from the farmer's market.

Roosters!

 Here is the pick your own field. Hard to believe Denver is 30 miles away!

The farmer's market

So much welcome!

Published!

I am happy to report that I am now a published writer! I wrote a little piece on traveling with a dog, and submitted to the Washington Park Profile. Here is the link!


Traveling with a Canine Companion

It is in the actual paper as well. Originally the topic was solo traveling with a dog, and it was 1500 words. I had to cut it down to 600 words and make it more general. So, even though it isn't as good as the original copy, it is certainly super cool to have an editor think my writing was good enough to be published!

End of Summer

It seems like just yesterday I was itching for summer. We had such a rainy spring that summer didn't seem to kick in until almost July! Now it is Labor Day weekend. I promised myself to make this weekend feel like a vacation. And it has! Saturday, Rene and I had a play date with her greyhound friend Ellie over at Barbara's house. She and I sat on the patio and ate cornbread while the girls played. Ellie used to be so stoic and she never really seemed interested in engaging. Saturday, however, she finally was acting like a dog! She and Rene played, and she begged for corn bread. She has come a long way, like Rene, and I am really proud of both Barbara and I in not giving up on our girls! Saturday afternoon Rene and I went to Mom and Dad's and we stayed the night. Rene laid in the grass and got plenty of attention from Grandma and Grandpa. We all watched The Last Song which always brings tears to my eyes. This morning I met Tonda for brunch at Racines and it was so nice to catch up with her. And now Rene and I are staying the night at my favorite Table Mountain Inn in Golden. We are here for the night and will go to Golden Gate State Park tomorrow. Then to top the weekend off we will be having a BBQ at the folks' house tomorrow night.

Rene has indeed come a long way! She has never enjoyed crowds, but today she walked along the busy Golden Main Street and, though spooked by a thing or two, did really well. We walked over to the Clear Creek path where everyone was playing in the water and tubing. It was pretty warm out, so we came back to the hotel and Rene is now resting on the king size bed.

I absolutely love The Table Mountain Inn. Here is just a glimpse why! The outside is just as welcoming as the inside. Look at how colorful the flowers are!

Our room is on the 2nd floor with a courtyard view.  The courtyard is strung with lights and it reminds me of a little European rooftop view.

 There are some days where I wish I could hang a sign like this outside my condo door!

Clear Creek tubers

Wherever Rene and I go, she always gets attention!

The YMCA Camp…finally!

It has been a few years since I have stayed at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park. For the past two years, I have opted for adventures on the Western Slope, since there was so much to be found in my own back yard. Being back in Denver finds Estes Park in my own backyard once again. I was able to make a cabin reservation for this past weekend, and made it a long one at that, with check in on Saturday and check out today. I invited the family along for the fun, as well as, of course, my girl. As I reflect back, the last time I stayed at the YMCA Camp I had Chester and Stanley. How I managed to travel with those two energetic boys amazes me sometimes. Rene is different-much more mellow, though still shy and I still have nightmares she will escape her lead, never to be seen again. Nothing like that happened; rather, we enjoyed a nice weekend. Robert and Dad stayed Sat-Sun and Mom kept on with me and Rene until this morning. It was lovely, as always, and there are still countless reasons why I think the YMCA Camp is up there with Disneyland as one of the happiest places on Earth!

Robert drove with me and Rene…Car selfie!

Robert and Dad hiked The Alluvial Fan in RMNP

Outside the Admin building at the camp, resting after the morning's activities

"I suppose I will take a wooden porch since a bed isn't available…"

What I love about the camp…smatterings of beautiful flowers and cozy sitting areas

Our cabin…"Cedar"…built in the past 5 years so updated and spacious

So much to see and do!

When we got in, we drove to RMNP and had a little something to eat at Sheep Lakes. We drove to the Alluvial Fan, and since dogs can't hike the trails Robert and Dad went; Mom, Rene and I stayed behind. We drove through the park and to the YMCA where we sipped coffee on the porch of the administration building. I was brave and let Robert walk Rene around, making sure her lead was on tight and showing him very carefully how to walk a dog…oh boy, am I protective! She took to him like "white on rice" and showed no trepidation as he walked with her. The family went downtown and then to church; Rene and I checked into the cabin and got settled. We ate dinner in the cabin and played a few rounds of Bingo. Sunday morning, after leisurely coffee drinking, walks around the property, and a game of disc golf between Robert and me (such a beautiful and well marked course!) Dad and Robert left, leaving the girls to get ourselves into trouble. We drove to Mary's Lake, then walked the Riverwalk. We returned to the cabin, had lunch, and I got a massage in the "massage cabin" and walked The Labrinth. Mom and Rene hung out. We ordered pizza through the YMCA and after dinner played Scrabble and Gin Rummy. This morning we woke up, and left around 10am.

Until next time, dear YMCA Camp! Who knows when that will be. It could be a spontaneous weekend anytime in the near future, or not again until next summer. But when we meet again, I know we will pick up right where we left off!

The Birthday Guy!

Dad's birthday was this weekend. It wasn't a milestone birthday, just yet, but we celebrated all the same!

We started out with mini-golf at the South Suburban course in Englewood…

Later, we moseyed over to Maggiano's for a filling and delicious dinner...

And then back to the folks' house for cake and gifts!

Dad, I hope your birthday showed you how special you are to all of us!

A girls trip to Winter Park

Mom, Rene and I took a little trip to Winter Park today and are staying the night at the Best Western. We had quite the adventurous day! We left around 9am this morning, wandered around the ski village, drove to Devil's Thumb Ranch to look around and hung out in Cooper Creek Square for some shopping. Rene did so well! This was her first time really wandering around town and around where all the people are. The ski village was abuzz with mountain bikers, kids, families, and she did so good with all the people approaching her to try to pet her. We are hanging out in the hotel room and are pretty much done for the day. Tomorrow we will head back to Denver after taking a little walk on Fraser Trail.

We stopped at the top of Berthoud Pass…very beautiful views!

Mom in the ski village…those flowers are bigger than her!

Devils' Thumb Ranch…the little things that make it so welcoming

Ahhh…that view!

Rene and me in the village

Winter Park does public flowers soooo well!

Cute little Cooper Creek Square

Stopping and smelling the flowers

What's next, Mom?