Colorado Trip

We just got back from a week in Colorado. It had been five years since we last vacationed there. As in 2009 and 2011, the three of us traveled with my parents, both my brothers, and my two nephews.

This is the view from the front porch of the little cabin where we stay near Wagon Wheel Gap between South Fork and Creede, Colorado. Lindsey's grandmother bought the property and would visit there from her home state of Texas. Now her descendants are able to rent the cabin for a very small amount on a weekly basis. It isn't fancy, but the location is divine! 

This is the lane in front of the cabin, which leads to the banks of the Rio Grande.

This is the northwest view towards Creede.

Many beautiful rocks, treasures, and very cold water at the Rio Grand river bank. We worked on Audrey's rock skipping skills. She enjoyed navigating the steep bank and rocky terrain with a walking stick and was pretty adventurous.

We all took a drive up Pool Table Road in the Rio Grande National Forest where scenic views of the Rio Grande River Valley are visible for the first few miles of the trip. The road climbs through spruce, fir, and aspen timber to beautiful rolling, grassy areas and you can see for miles and miles. It is so quiet. I'm not sure if I enjoy the view or the quiet more. 

From Creede, we took a day trip to Lake City and saw the Rio Grande river basin on the way. Lake City is a really cool town and I could see myself hanging out there for an entire week. Extremely remote, river access, and the town is so small you could ride a bike anywhere. The day we were there was gorgeous and the town park was straight out of a hippie Mayberry.

On Friday, hubs and I took the Durango Train to Soaring Colorado for a full day of ziplining over the San Juan Mountains on 27 different zip lines that ranged from 56 to 1,400 feet in length. There was over a mile and a half of cable with ten zips going over the Animas River. It was terrifying (at first), gorgeous, and exhausting. I highly recommend. On the way back to Durango, the closer we got to town, the more folks were out enjoying the river, and apparently mooning the train is a "thing". We also saw a bear in someone's back yard. Durango is another place where I would like to be able to spend more time.

    >> MORE PHOTOS on FLICKR <<

Other high notes included:

• My 17 year old nephew playing the open mic night at the Tommy Knocker in Creede.
• Watching the stars with Lindsey and Audrey after we got back from the open mic night. The sky was black and twinkling in town and by the time we got to the cabin, the sky was almost gray with twinkling starts. I had never seen so many in my life. Too much light pollution where we live. 
• Throwing rocks in the creek by the old mine in Creede.
• Playing tons of rummy and Old Maid. I know it sounds corny, but cards are fun. Period. 
• Seeing a mountain lion, a bear, wild turkeys, countless mule deer, jack rabbits, chipmunks, and prairie dogs.
• Accepting hard truths. "Mommy are Doritos just corn chips with fake cheese?"
• Being able to vacation with family. Grateful that we are all here and healthy and able to get along. 
• Audrey telling me in her squeaky tiny voice, "Mommy, I'm just so happy I don't have words to describe it. Like, I'm just so happy." 
• Driving new routes and being able to really appreciate nature in an entirely different way. One short drive with my parents about 30 miles outside of Durango took us to wheat fields that went on for miles and miles with mountains in the background. It was straight off a calendar. I've never seen anything like it. That is what I love so much about Colorado - how far you can see and how there are still so many places where you can see without crap in the way. If it wasn't for the cold - I'd try to figure out a way to stay. 

Most of all, I love my family. 

Chicago Museum Trip: Part One

We hit Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium in the same rainy day. The walk between the two was short, but brutal. I especially loved the sea dragons and the special exhibit of jelly fish. Audrey loved it all but was so disappointed when we were not actually allowed to go up in space at the planetarium. She thought I was lying to her so I had to ask one of the docents to confirm for Audrey that indeed, normal humans are not routinely allowed in space. {heart breaking}. The next day we went to the Field Museum, which one can't get through in a day. No. Way. But she did a great job and bravely, without an ounce of fear, held a tarantula and allowed it to be put on her head. It helped that the tarantula's name was Audrey too. A lot of my pictures are still on my cell phone. These are from my Sony NEX3. More later.

French Bakery

Cripes with the cuteness.

How to Visit a French Bakery from Olive Us on Vimeo.

Road Trip Chicago

My trip to Chicago was so needed and so enjoyed. On Thursday, Katy and I trekked to MCA and then Intuit, where we actually got to go inside the Henry Darger Room. On Thursday night, I attended a fundraiser for The Intonation Music Workshop, where Tracy is board president. I got to meet a bunch of her friends at a magnificent affair and then on to RM Champagne Salon for a rousing night cap. Friday we shopped and I found the perfect winter coat at 40% off and then dinner at Flo. Saturday it was just me and Tracy hitting the vintage circuit and I scored two fantastic purses. (More on those later.)

That is the laundry list of what we did. But what I can't get out of my head is the conversation I had with Tracy's friend Tonya on Thursday night. Occasionally in life, someone will say to you the exact thing you need to hear at the exact moment you need to hear it - like a messenger angel.  Tonya did that for me. She may not even remember it. Or me. But she is a wise one, that girl. The earth shifted a little under my feet. My heart twisted back into place after being off kilter for some time. 

This edition of Road Trip Chicago was one of the best. I treasure my friends and my life. And Audrey and Lindsey did fine (and had fun) without me. Listen to your life. Lessons learned. Lessons learned.

Blue Art

Dreaming of next week's vacation.

 1. Atlantic Beach, NC. / 2. & 3. Frankenthaler / 4. Motherwell / 5. Diebenkorn / 6. Stella / 7. Rothko

Weekend Bits & Pieces

Fantastic time in Chicago with my mom. Signature Room at the Hancock Building on Friday night with a stellar table. The first time my mom was ever in a cab and our driver had a big rasta hat covered in pot leaves. Weeee! Saturday we headed to the Ukaranian Village neighborhood to check out Hoosier Mama Pie Company and a few other shops. Sadly, it was rainy and many places didn't open until later in the day. But we had fun exploring.  So much chitting and chatting the entire weekend. I even missed my St. Louis exit on the way home. Lindsey and Audrey did great on their own (5 hours at the Magic House on Saturday!). Glad to be home with my sweet girl and rockin' husband.

Weekend Bits & Pieces

Sunday we took a road trip to the river town of Alton, Illinois. We drove all the way up Broadway to Riverview Drive, then on to Alton for lunch at My Just Desserts,where there were about two dozen pies and desserts on the menu. Afterwards we went to the Jacoby Arts Center, which is housed in a renovated furniture store. Then it was on to the Great Rivers Museum, where we got up close (but not personal) with a bald eagle and were able to see exhibits about rivers, dams, and wildlife of the area. It was frigid, but the sky was clear blue and it felt great to get out and explore some new things. The river is so amazing.

Montague Books

It is no secret that I love books. I just can't bring myself to buy an e-reader, but I can buy used books out the wazoo with the pipe dream of finishing them all in my lifetime. 

I found a slideshow of The World's Most Inspiring Bookstores and have become complete enchanted with Montague Bookmill, whose tagline is – Books you don't need in a place you can't find.  A former gristmill, the store overlooks the Sawmill River. You can read on a couch next to an open window overlooking a river. Really?! Does it get any better? I'm adding it to my must visit places. More photos on Publishers Weekly. And they even host live music on occasion. LOVE!

 

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I have a Books & Shelves Pinboard on Pinterest and am always keeping an eye on the
Bookshelf Porn Tumblr.  I think the video below, from Type bookstore in Toronto, is really amazing. Where is your favorite place to read?

Beach Dreams

Last year at this time, we were preparing for a long vacation to North Carolina and the beach. I know Audrey would love to see her cousins Charlotte and Claire (above) again soon. And I certainly wouldn't argue with a vacation. In the interim, I think this photo would make a great painting.

Guidebook To St. Louis

St. Louis is lucky to have Amanda Doyle as an evangelist, and videographer Bill Streeter to capture the word.

Food: Albuquerque and New Mexico

Our first stop on our Albuquerque dining was the famous Frontier Restaurant. Since we had to get up at 4 a.m. to get to the airport on time and our layover in Dallas was so short, we were starving. As the photos indicate, we divulged in some serious bad for you, but oh so good, stuff.

Our first breakfasts at Los Pablanos consisted of polenta topped with eggs and their own farm made sausage and crepes with goat cheese, dragon beans, and other vegetables. The localvore and organic theme would continue with most of the meals on our trip.

Our second morning we were treated to what was one of my favorite dishes the entire trip--creme anglaise folded with whipped cream, fresh figs, and anise. Soooo good. Also on the menu, eggs benedict with fresh greens, and Danish pancakes with homemade applesauce and local bacon.

Our first night, we enjoyed the "Field to Fork" dinner at Los Pablanos and dined under the stars. The homemade pappardelle with rosemary brandy cream was especially lovely. I had our server take our photo because we never have pictures of us (together) anymore. So focused on Audrey.

Our last night, we dined at Jennifer James 101. Wow! Located in a very unassuming strip mall area, I was initially wary. But I had read great things and we were not disappointed. It is pretty small and the kitchen is open, which I loved. I could see everything. Our service was fantastic. I couldn't take photos without looking like a real rube, but I couldn't resist with the appetizer--a porter cheddar with green garlic jam and arugula. Simple and amazing. Lindsey got halibut with a summer succotash and basil aioli and I got a crab pasta with bacon. We shared a divine chocolate pot de creme.

On our anniversary, we ate at Max's in Santa Fe. I don't have pictures, but it was incredible. Treated to an amuse-bouch of watermelon gel with white wine foam and microgreens. I know. Sounds goofy. Surprisingly not. Lindsey got foie gras that he oohed and ahhed over more than I've ever heard. I had a stone fruit salad with buttermilk panna cotta, fennel, and balsamic. We both ordered the Wagyu flank steak with roquefort polenta and wild mushrooms. Um. No. Words.  After chocolate cake (Hey, it was our anniversary!) and coffee, another surprise. This time it was a white chocolate ball (sort of like a small translucent truffle) infused with liquefied passion fruit sorbet and topped with lemon zest and black pepper.  The chocolate was very thin and  it burst open into your mouth like some kind of crazy lemony candy. Delightful. I highly recommend. 

As Lindsey reminded me, we don't go on vacation to eat at Hardee's. Our anniversary trip was short and we tried to make every part of the experience memorable. It really was.