For the past few days I have been adjusting to changes in altitude, celebrating my very special younger brother, and spending lots of quality time with five people who look a whole lot like me. And it has been wonderful. We started the weekend off with a late night dinner, which included a celebratory whiskey shot between father and son. Yeah, times have changed. On Saturday we spent the morning hiking in a chilly, rainy Cheyenne Canyon and though a nature girl I am not, I loved being outside and getting reacquainted with the outdoors after many months in the city. And let me tell you, that whole altitude issue is no joke. Though my dedication to the gym has waned a little bit since I left Nashville and lost my Zumba-loving roommates, I still consider myself to be somewhat in shape. But put me at 9,000 feet above sea level and I was huffing and puffing up that mountain. Despite the workout, I loved every little breath of fresh air.
Other favorite parts of the weekend included lots of dancing, an awe-struck drive through the Garden of the Gods (you must go), parents playing beer pong and drinking bourbon, bluegrass and BBQ, a scary drive up the 14,000 feet of Pike's Peak, brunch at the Broadmoor, a commencement speech that I actually listened to, and hugs for the boy who just finished up a fabulous four years of college/snowboarding camp.
I cherished every minute of my weekend getaway and am so grateful that my brother decided to go to college in such a cool place. I'm pretty sure that graduation weekends in Winston-Salem were not nearly as fun for the relatives as this one was!
And though being away was great and a much needed break from reality, I am excited to get home (and off of this bumpy plane!) to my puppy love, a short work week, and a very fun long weekend ahead.
