On Thursday, we drove over the Continental Divide at Vail Pass (elevation 10,660 feet) and descended into Littleton where we camped at Chatfield State Park. The park lay near the Rocky Mountain foothills, alongside some large lakes. Biking and hiking trails weaved throughout the park and surrounding areas. Indeed, we saw bike trails along major roads everywhere in the greater Denver area.
We found a sandy, shallow-graded beach a short drive from our campsite, where Charlie enjoyed a refreshing game of swimming fetch. She pulled like a sled dog as we approached the lake and she barked her disapproval when we told her it was time to go. Then she limped all the way back to the car. We decided we had better have a vet take a look at her paw.
On Friday, we got an early appointment at a nearby veteranary hospital, where we were able to drop Charlie off before proceeding to a lunch date with Tracy, Angie’s dear friend of 36 years. They met in the Navy in Norfolk, VA, where they both served in a helicopter squadron.
Tracy’s sister, Salika, and Salilka’s friend, Garrett, joined us for lunch and walk around Washington Park in Denver. After our walk we enjoyed coffee and pastries at nearby Devil’s Food Bakery. Tracy treated Angie and I to an amazing chocolate peanut butter mouse cake. Sooo good!
Even though Tracy had just flown in from her winter home in Clearwater, FL, she volunteered to do our laundry for us. She took the laundry home on Friday and returned it to us on Saturday clean, folded and sorted. We learned that she hadn’t even unpacked her own luggage yet before doing our laundry. We feel so loved!
Tracy took us hiking in Bear Creek Canyon, near Morrisson, CO. It was Angie’s first hike with any elevation gain since she had surgery in August for her broken kneecap. She did great, even at the high elevation! We had a delicous brunch at The Cow in Morrisson. Then Tracy took us to Red Rocks Amphitheater, where we were able to hike up from a parking lot and then down into the bowl. What an amazing venue! The rock formations flank the amphitheater and you can see the Denver skyline behind the stage. Angie had seen Third Day, a Christian worship band, perform there during their farewell tour eight years ago. She said the acoustics are amazing!
After Red Rocks, Angie and Tracy had some girlfriend time, while Hank returned to the campsite to care for Charlie. We all reconnected for dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant before a sad goodbye to Tracy. We feel so grateful that Tracy cleared her calendar to spend time with us before she even had a chance to visit with her Dad and Stepmom. Good friends are such a treasure. We feel blessed.
Denver in the Spring was amazing. I love the dry climate, the pleasant breezes, cool mornings and evenings, green hills, no bugs. Tracy laments the long winters, there, which is why she keeps a home in Florida. But I can see the appeal of living here. We like cross-country skiing! And I hear that the snow doesn’t last long. It melts after a day or two. I have heard they also have high winds and dust storms in the summer.
