The vacation continued because the posts can get way too long:
Grand Junction was so fun. There was a lot to do, so we did some sightseeing. Nothing too crazy, but we did check out a winery, and then our hotel had a live band, so we went for a quick snack, which consisted of chips and salsa, along with more drinks.
Durango was our next stop. We had a ghost tour that met downtown, which was within walking distance from our hotel, but we didn't want to walk because we were both so exhausted. So there was a spot that is now a toy shop, but it used to be the morgue. They would prop the bodies along the walls outside to thaw so they could stick them into caskets. We took pictures, but we didn't go into the toy shop. We also saw the hanging tree. We went to a salon for drinks.... yes, we did this more than I thought we would, but we met the hotel manager, and he said he would give us a tour if we came back the next day.
We got on the Silverton to Durango train. That was so much fun. It took about 3.5 hours to get to Silverton. We ate at a reformed bordello, which now sells Mexican food. The portobello mushroom tacos were wonderful! Best tacos I've ever had. The bartender explained to us how the little town was situated, with the call girls on one side of town. It was pretty fun. We thanked the bartender and off we went to continue our adventure.
We found a really wonderful little winery! The wines were fabulous, and if I lived out there, we would be getting a membership. We ended up buying a fruit wine, a little wine opener that needs to travel with us for now on, and a cork that has Sasquatch on it. We did end up opening the wine back at the hotel... which the hotel had a huge sign that said Mary Jane was prohibited, stationed on their door. Okay, it's not about anyone with the name Mary Jane, but that magical little plant that so many people garden. My bestie sent me a "I garden" meme, and now I think about that when people say Mary Jane.
Our next stop was Colorado Springs. We went to the Olympic training center! So the year I was born had a torch, and the year Emory was born had a torch, so we took pictures by our torches. Then we goofed around and tried our luck with all the little equipment that let you try your skills. I did okay. Emory tried the running portion. I'm too lazy to run. I did catch video of that. We then went to the Garden of the Gods and that was breathtaking. ( I know I say that a lot ). I wanted to do shopping at the gift center but our suitcase was already 44 pounds. Can't keep shoving things into it.
Our last stop there was the Cave of the Winds. It started raining so hard at this point and getting up the steep slop was scary, but Emory is a wonderful driver. The cave was so neat. The guide explained how people originally crawled through the cave on tours that were 8 hours long. There is a spot where people can put a gift and see if you get good luck or bad luck, but they ask people to stop adding things to the wall in case the original stuff falls off. Someone added a tiny Lego man to the other side of the wall which I thought was so freaking adorable.
Back in Denver, we visited the Botanical Gardens. They were fabulous! So stunning. I did lean over to smell the flowers and caught a few people (when I looked over my shoulder) sniffing the flowers I did. I don't know if that's normal. I went to a wedding once and the bride said I was the only person she saw sniffing the flowers. I might be one of a few that also hugs trees. I don't know. The garden itself was so neat. It had so many pockets of plants to look at and the air smelled wonderful! So many plants in bloom.
We did make it to the airport, but once again, our flight was delayed going out like it'd been coming in. We didn't make it home until about 1:20 am. We were exhausted and our luggage had been lost. That was rough. I had bought a few things for the commune that I put in my suitcase. Good thing I had the foresight to put our passports in my purse.
We were called the next day that our luggage finally made it to the airport. I wonder what our bag got to see on its own little journey.
Writing update:
No writing, but lots of great story ideas.