Colorado - Aug 2023

On our way back from WY, we stayed four nights in CO again before we headed to NM to help out Graham.  We did this as there were a few more friends we wanted to see and Keith and Phoebe were going to be in town from NC to participate in an ultimate frisbee tournament.  We all stayed at Elizabeth and Joe's beautiful home in the University Park neighborhood of Denver. 

We arrived on Friday around 5pm and after a long drive, we went for a walk for an hour to stretch our legs.  A friend of Elizabeth joined us as she was hanging out with us for the evening since it was her birthday.  Back at the house, we snacked on cheese and crackers and guacamole and then had dinner of salmon, chicken and tomato salad (some of the ingredients were fresh from their garden).  Keith and Phoebe arrived late - around 9:30 PM as their earlier flight had been canceled.  Once they arrived, they had dinner as well.  

Dinner at Joe and Elizabeth's house

On Saturday, Keith and Phoebe went off to the sports complex where Phoebe competed in two games while the rest of us went for a great hike in Evergreen in the Three Sisters Park.  Another friend of Elizabeth and Joe also joined us for this hike which was a little over 7 miles, 1.2K elevation and took 3 hours.  After the hike, we had a lovely lunch at a winery in Evergreen - Creekside Cellars - where we enjoyed a salad, sandwich and their rose and chardonnay.  While at lunch, Shawna and Joe wanted gelato so we drove to a place that Joe had found that had great reviews - Smith+Canon.  While it was in a mall, it was probably some of the best ice cream we ever had.  Keith patiently waited while the rest of us tried several of the flavors before landing on our chosen scoop.  

Hike in Evergreen

Back at the house, we cleaned up, napped and then went to dinner downtown to The Woods, a rooftop restaurant in RiNo.  We had a few beers and shared a pizza.  The views were cool.  Some of us were hankering for ice cream (yay, a two ice cream day) so we ubered over to Bonnie Brae Ice Cream which had quite a line - but thankfully the line went fast.

Dinner at The Woods

On Sunday, we all went for a walk/run in Wash Park and then picked up a sampling of pastries/desserts from Devil's Food which we ate back at the house.  That afternoon, we watched Phoebe in one of the games and had intended on staying for the second game but gave up after the second mandatory delay due to lightening.  On our way home, we stopped at Whole Foods to pick up fixings for homemade pizza which Joe made for us back at the house - it was so yummy!

Phoebe's Team - Kitty Hawks

On Monday, Keith went to DTC to have breakfast with Keith (his old boss from Aimco) while Shawna caught up on personal items.  We then met up with Clayton, Keith's godson who lives in the area, for a hike - Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop - 7.5 miles, 1.7K elevation, 3 hours and 20 min.  We had done this hike once before and really liked it - nice views, some shade, some open.  After the hike, we took him out to an early dinner at Hungry Goat (used to be known as Best de Arte) in Morrison which we had been to a few times - really nice courtyard.  We shared the mussels and quinoa salad which were both great.  Back at the house, we cleaned up, chatted for a bit and then went to bed.

Hike in Morrison

On Tuesday, we left early to drive to NM to start our 'stage' in Grahams' place.  It was so great to spend more time in one of our favorite places and of course, to spend more time with dear friends.