Memorial Week Recap....

With our work schedules, Patrick and I were able to take 10 days away from the city and use only 3 days of vacation – it was fantastic! We spent Memorial week in Buena Vista – my parents own a house there on the Arkansas.

We drove up the Friday and it was gorgeous! Blue skies, a little snow left on the peaks and the mountain ranches all turning green! The river seemed like it was raging when we got there from the beginning of runoff. Little did we know, it would change daily and become even higher and run faster. They kayakers and rafters come down throughout the day; watching them navigate (or fail to) through the rocks can be scary! Some of the kayakers flip over and take what feels like forever for them to resurface! The rafters are like lemmings and when one falls out, there are usually others that follow suit – talk about a yard sale down the river. Bodies and paddles dispersed everywhere – especially after the raft has bounced off of a rock!

Patrick wants to start kayaking….does this make me Mrs. Kayaker? I’m already Mrs. The Hulk, and that seems sufficient. Looks cold – and like a lot of work. And how do you hold your beer when you’re paddling? I see no cup holder on the kayak either. Seems like poor planning – just saying! And the helmet will smoosh my hair….doesn’t matter that I always wear it up, it would still be smooshed. Rafting is no different – still looks cold and everyone on the raft has a job…and none of them seem to include sitting and enjoying a beer. I could, however get used to the endless woo-hooing and hi-paddles after completing an obstacle…I happen to be a Grade-A excellent woo-hooer!  

We took Independence Pass into Aspen one day – there is still SO much snow! Quite amazing actually and would be absolutely breathtaking to see how it looked with full accumulation this winter! There are fresh tracks from skiers and boarders. Again, WAY too much work for this girl. Hiking in ski boots is out of the question. And anything called “skins” for my skis can stay at the store. Hiking those ridges in snowshoes would still be out of the question.  Hauling skis, gear, avalanche beacons, shovels and whatever other necessities, um, not going to happen! And how do you get the cooler up there? I suppose the beer keeps itself plenty cold in the backpack next to the shovel.

Aspen = not impressed. Everything there is market price and there are not many address markers. Ok, fine. My reasoning was if you are in Aspen, you can afford Aspen and don’t need to know (nor do you probably care) what things cost.  $4.57/gallon gas is interesting. I’ll leave it at that (we work for oil and gas companies, I’m very well aware of the fact that there’s only so much mentioning, complaining, noticing or bitching we’re allowed to do publicly at the cost of all things oil and gas related before the hypocrisy is highlighted).  

There’s 1 Starbucks in Aspen. Yes – 1. I have the Starbucks locater and it located 1. O-N-E!! Not only is it hidden and Google Maps couldn’t even find it, but they are open from 7-12. Seriously, 5 whole hours. Why bother? By the way – INK! Coffee is a poor substitute for Starbucks, and they’re open all damn day, of course. Patrick, at first, thought perhaps this was because Ink! is local to Colorado.  He threw this idea out the window immediately while we walked past Prada, Ralph Lauren, Burberry (LOVE them!), Ermenegildo Zegna and Louis Vuitton to name a few. Basically, everything I can also find in Cherry Creek or a much desired trip to LA.

In Buena there is an Alco. This is hands down the best garage sale/$4 store EVER! Everything you've never needed and instantly want is contained in this place! Next to the beauty products are the outdoor supplies. Yes, I need saline solution, sunblock annnnnd....oh wait, what's this!?!? A trampoline, pellet guns AND neon tikki torches! SOLD! You get to the checkout line to find an assortment of gummy candy and gaudy watches...YAY! Sadly, the Alco employees take things too seriously do not participate in the "look what I found" game, nor do they help you beat your opponent in the "who can find the most ridiculous crap" game. Fine. I'll do it myself!

By the time we got back to Buena from Aspen, I was happy to be in down to earth company.  We picked up a few property fliers and went to dinner. I had the fliers on the table, the restaurant manager/owner seemed more than excited at the prospect of new people in town – very cool! Buena people are very outgoing, friendly and absolutely welcoming to visitors…..

Patrick and I are talking about leaving the city behind for a much different lifestyle in the mountains, and we have found a place to begin our search. Amazing what can change in just 1 week - happy house hunting!