In a Boulder state of mind

So, for the past several days, almost a week, Chris and I have had "Boulder on the brain".  Chris even said that his spirituality is being affected by still living in Indiana and not Colorado!  (This is a big statement, as Chris rarely discusses his spirituality.  Even in general terms!!) 

While driving to work, I picture myself along Boulder Canyon Trail as it leads west toward the Boulder Mountain Lodge, along the Boulder Creek Trail.  I can almost hear the trickle of the refreshing and life-giving water. 

Today, I decided to check out rentals in Boulder (WOW, they are high!), just to keep me informed and as a reminder to the Universe that we are moving forward.  That we are ready for the journey.  That the only thing holding us, tying us, anchoring us at this moment is Harvest Moon House.  That we are more than ready for the journey, the adjustments, the CHANGE!

We had another (the 4th this month!!) showing of our house yesterday morning and are hopeful that this is the one, the people who will make us the offer that we will accept, which begins the process of selling our first home and moving toward our destiny.  Yesterday, we sat at a picnic table, in some woods, along the lake in our city and discussed our move to Colorado.  We have toyed with the idea of moving into Valparaiso, where Chris works, after the house sells, while we await Chris landing a job in Colorado.  However, I think yesterday we decided to nix that idea and just GO FOR IT!  When the house sells, we will pack up, find a place in Colorado and head out!  It's a leap of faith, we know, but we do not want to prolong our dream.  Why take a short-term rental here?  Why delay the inevitable?!  The absolutely glorious, simply-splitting-at-the-seams inevitable!!!  We can do the same out there with the money we have saved.  We KNOW Chris will get a job quickly and I can find something part-time, too. 

It's kind of scary, but so exhilarating at the same time!  EEEEEEE!!!!

http://images.picturesdepot.com/photo/d/dreams-4955.jpg

Boulder Creek Trail

Day Two

Just a short walk from Boulder Mountain Lodge and we picked up the Boulder Creek Trail on our first morning in Colorado.  Beautiful and peaceful ... inspiring and motivating.  (Might appear from the last picture to also be tiring or, perhaps, relaxing!!!). 

We walked almost into downtown, stopped at the park and then made our way back.  Several miles each way, for sure.  Thank goodness for the healthy and filling breakfasts offered at the Lodge, as well as the snack bars we packed.   

Showered and headed back to Pearl Street Mall to peruse some more stores, to walk in the fresh, fresh air and to grab a late lunch/early dinner.

Our Introduction to Colorado ~ Day One in Boulder

Flatirons, Boulder, CO

We fell head over heels in love with Colorado, Boulder especially!!! 

Let me walk you through this life-changing vacation!

Day One

As we are driving from the Denver airport, Chris is looking at the landscape and tells me that he isn't impressed.  That it looks like the Midwest.  I assure him that as we continue West, it is going to be different.  As we get just outside of Boulder and crest a hill, there are the Rocky Mountains in the distance.  We are both in awe and, almost, speechless!!  "See,"  I say.  I just knew it would be awesome, but I couldn't have known how impressive the entire landscape would be!!! (At this point, unknown to us both, our souls have begun the process of being cracked wide open!)

Oh, and this happens to also be my 39th birthday!!!  (more on that later)

We head into Boulder and just outside of town to Boulder Mountain Lodge.  Our home-away-from-home while exploring this part of Colorado.  Great little place!  Gorgeous, quiet surroundings in Boulder Canyon, only 5 minutes outside of downtown Boulder.  Continental breakfast which always included fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, bagels, coffee, tea, orange juice and organic milk!!  Perfect way to start your day in Boulder where fitness is a religion! 

As we are pretty well starving (it is mid-day and we have been on the road since the wee hours of the morning), we take our first trip into downtown Boulder.  We aren't sure what to expect.  After parking, we walk a little and decide to stop at one of the first restaurants we see, Walnut Brewery.  SCORE!!  Not only was our food scrumptious ~~ the beer is to die for!!!!  I got the White Ale and it was almost orgasmic!  Yep, I said orgasmic!!

 

Cheers from Walnut Brewery!!



After filling our bellies and feeling relaxed from our microbrews, we walk toward Pearl Street Mall (the heart of Boulder for shopping, dining, hanging out).  Just our luck, there is an arts & crafts fair going on.  We check out some leather cuffs and get a hair accessory for my mom (which I "broke in" for her during our vacation!  I'm a good daughter like that!!)  There are so many fantastic stores, coffee shops, restaurants, sights .... this will not be our only visit to Pearl Street. 

At one intersection I look north and see the old marquee for the Boulder Theater and we walk that way to check it out.  As we get closer, this is what we see:

Could it be?  Sheryl Crow performing THAT nite?!  There couldn't possibly be any tickets left!!  We see someone sitting near the front door, so I approach and ask if the concert is, in fact, tonite (YES) and does she know if there are any tickets left (she thinks there might be).  It is now 4PM and would you believe the box office just opened?  We head inside and wait for a couple people to pick up their will-call tickets.  I ask if there are any tickets for tonite ~ the response is "a couple."  I say, "I only need a couple."  We snag 2 general admission-standing room only tix for an 8PM show with doors opening at 7!  Incredible, right?!  Wait, it gets EVEN better!  (Hard to believe, I know, but it really, really did!!)

At this point we decide to return to the Lodge to rest a bit and freshen up for the concert!  We are going to be running on empty considering how long our day has been thus far ~~ but it IS Sheryl Crow!

Waiting in line for my birthday gift ~~ impromptu Sheryl Crow concert!



Like my tiara?!  I wear one on my birthday!!  After we parked our car and started walking toward the theatre, a taxi stopped and the driver yells out that he loves my tiara!  I say, "It's my birthday."  He says, "Well, happy birthday!"  (One of the things I noticed about Boulder, people are so genuinely NICE!) 

We didn't wait in line too long, but it was gorgeous out and everyone was friendly and relaxed!  So, we walk in and head inside the venue.  And we walk right up to the stage!!!  There is only one person between us and the stage!  What?!  What?! 

Boulder Theater is an intimate venue! 

Sheryl Crow, Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO, May 15, 2011

Sheryl & her band rocked the house!!!  We had so much fun!!!  The whole crowd is singing and swaying and just having an amazing time!!!  We are now totally spoiled for concerts and only want little theatres with intimate venues from now on!  HA!!

One last thing:  After the kick-ass show, my doll of a hubby (I have no idea what he is doing at this point), walks away from me and asks one of the crew if he can have one of Sheryl's guitar pics that he saw her drop.  He tells him that it is his wife's birthday (Me, me, that would be me!).  Chris comes over to me and says "Happy Birthday, Puppet" as he hands me my very own Sheryl Crow used-in-a-concert guitar pic! 

What a whirlwind day!  So unexpected!  So glorious!  So magnificent!  By far, my best birthday yet!!!!