We went to get a bench from Pottery Barn

(updated, now with more bench)

Sometimes I get these stubborn ideas about wanting one, specific thing and also wanting to see it in person before actually buying it. That's how we ended up in the car on the way to Colorado Springs this weekend.

Of course, no Saturday is complete without waffles, followed by a (9 mile) walk in the woods.

The worst thing you can say to me is "Smile normally."

 
A view of a snow-covered mountain after the clouds finally moved along.

A search for a different trail which, alas, is no more, due to changing property lines, but I did find a pasque flower.

A visit to a tiny town that held an even tinier town within.

And, finally, a flite of beers in the hallway of a repurposed elementary school with the coolest bathrooms ever.

Oh, and I did get my new coffee table/cat bench. I love successful weekends!

And Vince thinks the bench is his personal sauna. Maybe someday they'll try "on" in addition to "under."

Some days, it's all about the light

I'm fortunate to live where clouds are not the norm. Even when they do show up, the late afternoon sun often find a way to peek through at the last minute. I recommended that the brewery staff take pictures of their beers immediately this particular afternoon.

I took my inaugural ride on the 36 bikeway this week and got to see the sides of the highway at a more human speed. It's still a bit loud with the nearby traffic, but there were moments where you could pretend the cars weren't there.

The view from the city overlook is still great for viewing our Flatirons at sunset, even if the geodesic dome is gone from the west side of the road.

Of course, the only thing nicer than our sunsets is our sunrises. Not necessarily at a convenient time of day, but when you have a motivated partner...

I haven't seen them yet, but I know these shots were amazing.

One part golden sunrise, one part less than six hours of sleep. Totally worth it.

Patience pays off

At this latitude, by this mountain range, we don't exactly suffer winter, but we still greet spring with exuberant smiles and a little excess energy. This year, the snow lingered here a bit more deliberately than usual, so the wait for the real start of the next season has seemed a bit long.

It's here. The lilacs are just about in bloom. Lawns are cheerfully dotted with dandelions, often to the consternation of the lawns' neighbors. I left work without my coat yesterday and didn't even notice till I was almost a mile away.

The peas soldiered through the last (final?) round of snow and I can finally get more seeds thrown in the soil. This year, I attempt kohlrabi, at the insistence of my garden friends.

Going out on the deck to watch sunsets and moonrises no longer requires a down jacket and making sure the door is quickly shut behind me. Strangely, the moon tonight was clearer behind two panes of glass than it was from outside, but I'll get the hang of this photography thing one day!

The warm days ahead are already starting to fill up with future adventures. I know that this time of year is really just a continuation of all the months that came before it, but I do so like the feeling of a beginning...

Summer today, winter tomorrow...

There's nothing quite as interesting to a weather nerd as the erratic behavior of a Colorado spring. Two weeks ago we got to wear short sleeves and apply copious amounts sunblock while exploring the edges of Denver. I learned about fault lines and the names of those red rocks in the distance and Jesse learned the names of the birds we passed (Hello, meadowlarks! Hello, mountain bluebirds!) and any plant I could remember.

There were signs of new life.

And traces of life long since past (we guessed ancient, aquatic worms squiggling their way across the sea floor).

The sun is hanging around a little longer each day, but we're still unusually tall as it sinks behind the foothills.

Giraffes R Us

And then the extra layers came out of our packs as we passed the cemetery of a village that faded away over one hundred years ago, making our way back to the poorly-named Stegosaurus lot (there were none).

Since then, there've been sunny days for biking, new snow for skiing and a massive fruit tree bloom in town. Tonight, we watch the constantly updating forecasts for the latest "significant" precipitation event. I was going to have the snow tires taken off today. I opted to wait just one more weekend. Can't wait to see what this next few days brings!

What the heck is that thing at the top of the page? (flashback)

About a year and a half ago, I got to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens while they were hosting a traveling Chihuly exhibit. Yes, I am a slacker and, yes, it's time to empty my SD card...

I love the gardens because they let you act like an adult and carry around the beer/wine/other beverage you brought in on a concert night while you wander aimlessly before the show starts. Also, the place is freaking gorgeous.

And, finally, here's the whole, hairy ball of glass that's graced my blog banner these many months.

The day the rain came down and nothing got washed away (flashback)

Last summer I got to take the (then) new light rail line from Golden to downtown Denver to visit the chalk art festival, yet another thing I finally got around to seeing after all these years.

I got there early, so there were many faces still in the process of emerging from the concrete.

Apparently not all mythical beasts are friends (yes, I know narwhals are real).

As it sometimes happens, a downpour arrived midafternoon, sending everyone running for shelter. I hung out at the Brazilian Acarajé booth, making friends with the vendors and munching tasty fritter sandwiches. By the time the clouds moved on and the obligatory rainbow showed up, many people had moved on, figuring the rain would put an end to the art for the day. But the faces stayed put.

And some of them actually looked cooler with their puddles.

Another adventure completed, so many more to go...

Where the parades start

I never thought to go to Mardi Gras World before because it sounded like a giant tourist trap, but it turned out to be a trap of a very different kind...

It was a trap for fans of elfin elephant storytellers...

slightly ominous demon slugs...

dusty ducklings...

...and really big (and cuddly) voodoo dolls. Yes, this place was made for me.

No idea. Really, no clue whatsoever, but I like it.

I want to believe that this was a Discworld float, but, even if it's just based on Hindu mythology, it's very cool. And very large (see tiny humans for comparison).

Without a doubt, Coraline's Other Mother. I passed it on to Neil.

This warehouse, one of many in New Orleans, was loaded with massive works of art and creativity and full of people who were working every day to make even more for next year. It was really hard not to stay behind after the tour and start helping with the paper mache...

Thanks, Jesse, for the suggestion and the chance to wander among disembodied heads, flying turtles and the Kongs. It's definitely a place I'll remember for a long, long time.