That is a nice Boulder...

Since the house we are living in was on the market on Sunday, and showings come at any time, we decided to go on a drive to Boulder, Colorado. 

 

Since spring has sprung, the grass and leaves have come out and it is BEAUTIFUL in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. 

 

Boulder Colorado

I am not going to lie to you, I like the area around Boulder.  I could live there. It is snuggled right up next to these huge mountains.  It is a college town...Colorado University...and it reminds me of several college towns that I have been to.  It isn't too big, but is has it's own Mall...so you know it has made some statement to have one of those. 

 

 

I understand that is it a liberal town.  Maybe more than Seattle! More of a Portland mentality. Kinda hard to think about, actually. 

But I liked the old craftsman homes with big trees lining the streets

{yah, those homes are in the 2.4 million range.  Anything with a point in the sentence is big, and out of my range.  But it makes a great atmosphere I a town!}

 

On our way back, we went through the Rockies to a town that just appears.  One bend in the road, no town, the next, a Casino town.  Pretty much that is what goes on there. It is called Central City.  It has an old part of town that is pretty genuine updated - old west looking.

Central City, Colorado

Sadie was pretty done with the whole car thing by the time we left Boulder. So we put MegaMind in the DVD and here are their mesmerized expressions.

{I am pretty sure Kaleb could quote 85% of that movie - it's a talent}





 Not a bad Sunday afternoon drive.  Keno is nervous about our upcoming road trip to Nauvoo and Kansas City.  I told him he just needs to lower his expectations a lot and it will be fine. 

{Not to mention using his noise cancelling headphones!}



16...15...14...

Countdown!

It just hit me that we are on a serious countdown now. 
We have had many faith promoting/testing events here in Castle Rock.
Our family has grown closer together and each one of us has learned something about ourselves and about getting through difficult things.

 

We love so many things about the great state of Colorado!

 

However, we feel that we should return to our home in Maple Valley Washington.

That is where the countdown comes in. 

I just realized that 15 days is not very many days.

Especially when your house needs to look like this...minus Sean sitting in the chair.

 

And I need to be doing a lot more of this:
 

 

Our rental is on the market right now and we have had quite a few viewings. And as always, they come at awkward times.

 So yesterday, we did this...waited in the car for Joel...even Guster:

and then went to the store.

I better get a move on...but where to start...

 

 

3 mile loop

Monday's run was 3 miles.  Nice and easy... I felt good until the last hill, but it ended well.

same hill -- up



up

This is a huge hill, about 1/2 mile. 

It "did my legs in" a few weeks ago.

Now, not too bad! 



down then up

next subdivision over

This is the next turn. 

Run to the next sub division. 

 Nice rolling hills.

 

 

 

Down.  Whew.  My friend and I ran sprints up this hill in March. Why do I torture myself?

This hill should be the last hill, but it isn't, just another long run.

It is just at the right angle to push your muscles to scream. 

Mine did...I heard them...really...

Final hill, back in our subdivision. Much steeper than the others. 

 Starting and ending point. Falling Star Place. 

If you were wondering if we lived on a hill, well, now you know. YES!

 

So when I went to bed that night my legs ached.  Not the hurt of a new sport, but the ache of a 'can't-get-comfortable-enough-to-sleep-ache.  It was not a good night.  It lasted through the next day, too. It has happened several times recently.  If you have any insight as to how to avoid this,{other than not running the hills} I would love your thoughts!

 

Oh...did you notice the beautiful blue sky? I can't get enough of it...