Colorado, Ingrid's Corner

A Summer of Fun

by Ingrid

paddle boardingGosh, I can’t believe summer is over and our stay in the Denver area will be coming to an end.  Although I’m looking forward to hitting the road soon, I don’t relish saying goodbye to our daughter.

I find myself reviewing my photos from the summer and realize, we had one heck of a good time.  And because we were having so much fun, I didn’t take the time to post about it all.  Here’s some of our highlights……

Daughter and I go stand up paddle boarding at Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood, Colorado.  I had wanted to try this for a long time so when the opportunity presented itself, I was all in.  An hour was enough for me for starters, but Ashton and her friends stayed out for two hours.  I’m hooked and can’t wait to go again.stand up paddle boarding

Rockies baseball
this player is probably why the Rockies lost!

Our son flew in from Phoenix for a week.  We took in a baseball game.

Now mind you, I’m not a fan of baseball but there is something fun about attending a game in person.

And especially when it’s teams from two of our home towns.  Rockies vs. Cubs at Coor’s Field.

I’m sure all our friends and family in the Chicago area were cheering as the Cub’s spanked the Rockies 6-1.

I’m just glad the game didn’t go into overtime.  Yep, that comment from me received a few chuckles 😉  Shows ya how much I know about baseball.

Rockies baseball

Breckenridge Brewery
Logan, me, Ashton, and Al at Breckenridge Brewery, Denver

Labor day weekend – Taste of Colorado.  This was held in Denver at the Civic Center.  It was a day of eating, shopping, and listening to live music.

Gigi’s Cupcakes-yum
tasting away
carnival near the state captial building

Sorry Chicago, but Denver’s ‘taste’ was tons more enjoyable than the Taste of Chicago and much more reasonably priced.

shopping in Denver
of course there was a purchase made!

Rocky Mountain ArsenalHiking and exploring;  Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.  I found myself hiking here a few times partly because it was only 12 miles from our home at the Westminster Elks but mostly because the lay of the land is flat 😉

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army transformed the area from grazing plains into a chemical weapons manufacturing facility.  The bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima was actually manufactured at this site.

In the early 1980’s a massive clean up of the area ensued and a transition to a National Wildlife Refuge took place.Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Today there are no signs of a weapons facility, just some lingering residential buildings. Bison were reintroduced to the area several years ago.Jefferson County ParksAnother place I found myself hiking was White Ranch Park northwest of Golden, Colorado.  This park is a former working ranch and full of history.Jefferson County Parks

One of the trails leads through a meadow dotted with all kinds of farming equipment. Along side each antique farm implement is a plaque outlining its use.  This is a popular park for photography classes…..    although I wouldn’t know anything about these classes because they meet before sunrise, which certainly won’t work for me.  Thus, I decided to explore this park at a more reasonable hour… say 9:00 a.m.  Jefferson County Parks

Molly Brown MuseumThe unsinkable Molly Brown – the Molly Brown House Museum was a fun little stop.  We learned about this fascinating woman and her survival on the Titanic.

In the movie “Titanic” staring Leonardo DiCaprio; Kathy Bates portrayed the brassy outspoken American Molly Brown.  Her life entailed a rags to riches story full of philanthropy and travel.  She was one tough cookie!Jefferson County ParksJust a reminder, anytime I post any text in BLUE it is linked to a corresponding website.  To return back to this blog, just hit the return arrow….. upper left on laptops.
Heroine of the Titanic: The Real Unsinkable Molly Brown

Inflatable 10′ 10″ SUP Stand Up Paddle Board w/ 3PC Paddle

49 thoughts on “A Summer of Fun”

  2. Ingrid, what a great summer you’ve had, including so many fun times with your daughter and son! We’ve just left the San Juan Islands after our wonderful summer there, which means leaving our daughter and grandson. It’s a strange mixture of excitement for our travels ahead and sadness at leaving them. Wishing you safe and happy travels. 🙂

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    1. Gosh, I can’t believe your time on Lopez Island is already over. I’m sure it’s difficult saying goodbye to not only your daughter but a grandson. We’re leaving Sunday and my daughter and I have already shed tears. Ah yes, a mixture of emotions 🙂

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    1. As much fun as paddling boarding is, I think a kayak would provide more enjoyment. I’m thinking of cold Glacial waters – mountain lakes. Gosh, gotta pull a trailer just for all the toys LOL.

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  5. You two have had a wonderful stay in Denver. I didn’t know you had gone paddle-boarding. We went a couple of years ago in San Diego and loved it.

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    1. Ashton took me paddle boarding for my birthday. I had been talking about it for a while so she set it up…. wonderful surprise. We definitely had a great summer 🙂

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  7. I’m sure it will be hard to say goodbye once again. I only see my daughter about once a year now, so I know that feeling all too well. Loved all the photos and hearing about your fun summer adventures and looking forward to following your next adventures, too.

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    1. Gosh, once a year? That has to be hard not seeing your daughter more. We’re leaving CO Sunday and although I’m looking forward to our travels I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to our daughter.

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  9. Love the family photo! So glad all four of you were able to get together.

    You sure had a wonderful time with your daughter. I know how valuable those times are:) I agree hitting the road again is exciting, leaving is tough.

    Good to see someone else thinks sunrise is too early:)

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    1. Thanks. Yes, mixed emotions – hate saying goodbye to daughter but looking forward to hitting the road. I’m usually up between 6 and 6:30 enjoying coffee every morning but don’t like wandering past the door until I’ve had my second cup 🙂

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  10. Got a kick out of ‘meet before sunrise, which certainly won’t work for me’. Our camphost buddies Dave and Katie always were up early. Whenever we were doing something together, I suggested early as 9:30 or 10:00 just to be sure the coffee had been given appropriate time for full effect. Great info on the Denver area.

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    1. Oh, I have no trouble running around about 8:00 but 5:30 is waaay to early for me. More info on Denver coming up. It’s been a fun summer 🙂

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  14. There is no denying that Ashton is your daughter. What a beautiful family photo.

    I had fund traveling along with y’all. If Ashton bought that wine rack, good choice!

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    1. Thank you Marsha. Yes, Ashton did indeed buy that wine rack. She’s all settled into her new place and it looks good hanging on the wall 🙂

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  15. It’s been wonderful reading about your Colorado family time and your adventures. In 3 trips, we only skimmed the surface of this amazing state. I hope we can get back there next year for a longer visit.

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    1. Hope you can too because there really is a lot to see and do throughout the state of Colorado. Our summer whizzed by and we’re already looking forward to next summer in CO.

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  16. And here I had you pegged as one of those early morning photographers. It’s reassuring to find out you’re not.

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    1. It’s been a very fun and productive summer. I always hate saying goodbye to our daughter but then get to say hello to our son in Phoenix. Not a bad gig traveling between Denver and Phoenix 🙂

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  18. Ingrid.. you and your daughter could easily pass as sisters… I might have mentioned that before…. how many times has Al had you referred to as his daughter.??? Sorry Al…lol…

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  19. I’m so happy you got to spend the summer making wonderful memories with Ashton. It looked like a ton of fun! I get to enjoy the same type of family time for a couple of months in the winter and I love it! And then the road calls and we tear ourselves away. It’s complicated, isn’t it.

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  20. We’ll be spending some time on the front range next summer at various state parks so we will be sure to hit up some of your hiking spots! How wonderful to spend a prolonged period of time with your daughter, I am currently in the midst of a single week with my daughter.

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    1. One week is definitely NOT enough time to spend with a daughter. Be sure to make reservations next summer for your stay in Colorado. The weekends every where book up with locals making it a bit of a challenge for those of us that like to ‘wing it’ 🙂

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  23. I have thoroughly enjoyed your pictures of the Denver area and all your photos of hikes, etcetera. Where is your favorite spot in all of CO? Where do you head for the winter months?

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    1. Thank you Cindy. Favorite spot? Toss up between Crested Butte, Telluride, or Ouray. The mountains in those parts of Colorado are stunning. In July the mountain wildflowers are simply beautiful 🙂

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