By GTG

My family took a vacation to Colorado when I was a thirteen or so. I was going through that whole teen-angst phase where I couldn’t like anything and had to frown and brush my hair into my face whenever my parents were around. I had no problem pouting and complaining all through Missouri and Kansas, but even I couldn’t feign indifference once we finally reached the mountains. I fell in love immediately.
We had a typical family vacation…camping and hot dogs. My parents and brother embarrassing the heck out of me. But even I had a good time.

At 21 I took a job out in Colorado for the summer. I wanted to get away, and it was the perfect place to go. It was an amazing summer because not only did I get to spend my time in a breath-taking place, but I also made some wonderful friends (one of whom will be a bridesmaid in my wedding).

I worked five days a week, meaning I had two full days a week in Colorado to do whatever I wanted. I hiked nearly every chance I got. I also visited Boulder often. One of my favorite places was the New Belgium Brewery (home of Fat Tire). A friend and I followed the Continental Divide to a group of lakes that very few people have been to. (I also got a second degree sunburn on both my shoulders and face that my brother called my “skin disease”).

I’ve been talking to Shoo about Colorado since we first met. I’ve shown him pictures, and I’ve finally convinced him to take a vacation…to Colorado. I’ve planned out our trip (only because he made me). We will spend several days in Estes and Boulder hiking and biking, then make our way to Colorado Springs. From there we’ll head down to Durango (my favorite Colorado town). We will end up back near Colorado Springs in Crested Butte where New Belgium is hosting a bike festival complete with a chainless bike race.

I love Colorado, and I’ve always wanted to live out there permanently. Shoo has never been. I know he’ll be drawn to everything there is to do (especially the brokeback biking) and the beer.

Maybe we just won’t come back…

–GTG