Memory Lane in the Mountains

Last fall we took a trip to the mountains. We left Denver on a gorgeous, warm morning only to arrive at the Continental Divide to find snow, wind, and 30 degree afternoon.
We had to stop and get Caeden a jacket to keep warm. Total mountain novices, I know.

We took the long way there. Over Independence Pass (scary, winding, tiny road leading over the mountains), through Aspen ... down into Glenwood Springs. We thought it would be so fun and that Caeden would love it...except he didn't. When we got to the Divide, where the air is so thin I think oxygen masks should be required, he decides he will not walk. He is screaming and crying, "I don't like it! I don't like it!" and I am pregnant, trying to lug his rigid body to the overlook...where, "we WILL get a picture, Caeden Koop!"

We left the overlook, defeated and tired. We tried booking a hotel in Aspen (we had stayed at the Little Nell the year prior -- the best anniversary to date) but were stunned to learn their peak prices were in effect. We were not willing to pay 895 for a room, so we headed to Glenwood Springs to the Holiday Inn Express. We took warm showers, gave Caeden a bath, and ordered the yummiest take-out/Italian food we'd had in a long time. After everyone was warm, fed, and rested, we packed the SUV back up and headed home (the same night). We promptly ran into a blizzard in Vail, where the visibility was so bad, all Wayne could do to keep the truck on the road was to look for the white dividing lines. The snow was coming down so fast it made me dizzy to watch. Talk about scary. This is probably where I should mention Wayne and I do not have coats, and I am wearing flip-flops. Please do not crash, baby.

We arrived home late, late that night. Fell into bed and haven't been to the mountains since!

Anyway, I can't look at the mountains without thinking of that perfect mountain getaway. :)