My first football game

I bought one half price ticket to a Broncos game back in the summer...but then I met this guy and I rather go with someone versus alone.   So we bought full price tickets and I got to see my first live football game.

The weather was very cooperative which is good because I feared a November football game would be cold, and it wasn't.  The sunset was beautiful.

mt evans

It took me 14 months to make it to Mount Evans...and I am so glad I was able to catch it on the last weekend they were open this season.   Mount Evans highway is the highest paved road in North America and gains about 7,000 feet in elevation in 28 miles to reach the summit at 14,264 feet.  Well, no, the parking lot at sign is at 14,130 feet and then you need to walk up 134 feet on a trail to get to the top.

Stiff and I made plans to head up to Mt. Evans.  The morning of, I got nervous, my area had a massive cloud and I worried that visibility from the top would be horrible...and did they get snow from the rain the night before?  But as we drove west on i-70 it started to clear up.    When we got to the pay booth the attendant informed us that the road to the top was open....but it was 'snowpacked' and icy after mile 6.   Since we got there around 11:30, I was hoping that the afternoon sun melted the snow but was happy Stiff was driving just in case.

The ride up was pretty.

Echo Lake, 10,600 feet

Summit Lake, 13,00 feet

The summit was only 35 degrees.  While I brought my winter down jacket, gloves and an ear thing, I only wore my jacket...mistake.  My hands and ears were freezing.  The walk up the trail to the top wasn't bad...there was a dusting of snow in some places and a tad bit of ice but it wasn't bad at all.  We spent some time taking in the views, getting pictures and then this photographer was there and we were a part of his picture too.

A few from the top

 and the way back down...

winding road....there are NO guard rails

And I saw mountain goats in the 'wild' for the first time!  I had my 200 camera lens with me...which clearly wasn't zoom enough and binoculars which really helped to see them.

My first Mountain Goat sighting

It's Autumn!  Down at the beginning of the highway

I am so happy I finally got up here.  And it was free for me because I have the National Park Pass, so I saved $10.  It was such a perfect day.  The timing of everything, the weather, the company...I had such a great day.

CoDot information

Sunflowers

Near the Denver Airport are sunflower farms/fields.  I went last year too late - and the sunflowers were dying.  This year we made plans to check it out....and it turned out to be a hazy day due to the fires from California.  It did not look this white...but everyone's pictures came out looking so fake/photo shopped.

But there is something quite magical about the photos anyway because the yellow color of the sunflowers pop out.

Maybe once this weather clears out, I'll have time to go back that way and have pretty blue skies in my sunflower photos.

quick stop to the Colorado Gator Reptile Park

Aside from the Sand Dunes in Alamosa, there isn't much to do.  The Colorado Gators Reptile Park was a fun spot.  After reading online reviews....I wasn't sure what to expect.  Some people loved it others were very judgmental about the facility and the cost.

I went with 2 other adults, a 9 year old and a baby.   We spent about 2 1/2 hours here because we really took our time.  The facility is a working farm and what they do is interesting so they allow people to come in...and they need admission money because it is a small business.

The first stop is meeting with an employee who gives a little history of the farm and then explains about some of its inhabitants.  He shows us a scorpion, and a few other things...and you have the opportunity to hold them.  I passed on the lizard and the scorpion, but when my nephew said no to the snake...I said yes.  What??? I've never held a snake before and thought it was time.  I was a little freaked out. If you asked if I would do that before the day, I'd probably have said no. But sometimes I am better at spur of the moment occasions.   And it wasn't that bad.  Thank goodness it barely moved when I held it.  It was a solid snake.  I made this goofy face just to make it because it seems scary, but it wasn't...I have one of me smiling too.

And then it was time...the $15 admission paid for itself when I had the opportunity to hold a small alligator.  We all did.  we were allowed to use our own cameras for the photos...but they take one with theirs and then you have the ability to buy a picture/CD/memory stick with the picture.  We had a rare coupon for $5 off...so we got that too.

I didn't think to investigate the alligator wrestling class.  My brother in law would have done that...and you know, I may have been tempted as well.   But, you had to sign up at least one week in advance (which isn't bad!).  At the end of our day there, we saw the beginning of the class..there were a good 6-8 people in it catching a gator about the same size as the one I held.  They gradually move up from small to big.


We bought some gator chow, actually two of them....so a lot of time was spent feeding the outdoor alligators.

I had a surprisingly good time at this place.  I learned a lot and was very impressed that it is a self-sustaining farm and that the alligators were originally brought in to eat the tilapia they were farming.

If you are in the area and looking for something to do...why not check it out.  Go in with an open mind.

Fascinating tour of Sports Authority Field at Mile High

In the last two years I've gotten into football.  It is a little fall/winter obsession of mine now.  In fact, I even bought one ticket to the Broncos this season because who wouldn't want to see the Broncos play at home?  And this city is obsessed with football!

I thought the first time I'd see Sports Authority Field at Mile High was going to be the day of my game...but it turns out they give stadium tours.  My visiting family wanted to go and I said yes absolutely that is something I wanted to see too.  I've been a Broncos fan for about 3 years along with Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, but the Broncos had an edge over the other two...and that was before I moved here.

The tour was great.  I've never toured a stadium before...so take that 'great' with a grain of salt.  Our tour guide was very knowledgeable not only with his facts and speech but answering all the questions.  We had access to the executive suites, which were nice, I'd love to watch a game from there (I only was in a suite once to see the Mets play), the United Club area, where the big shots sit and provide feedback to the field (I was surprised this room was bare bones and they bring in all the equipment day of event), the media area, the visitor locker room, one of the keg rooms,  the field tunnel and of course seeing the field (can't go on it).  The tour was a little over 90 minutes.

I am so glad I went because I was able to see a lot more than I would have access to on a game day where all I'd see was the parking lot and my seat with the view of the field!

My first Rockies game

When my family was in town, I thought it would be great to see a baseball game.  They love it...I am indifferent about baseball and don't even have a favorite team, but I've wanted to check out Coors Field and see a Rockies game.

We were close to the mile high seats...but it offered a great view of the field and the mountains.  The game was a surprisingly good one, where the runs were close and there were a bunch of hits.   I didn't know that the Rockies have a bad reputation of being a poor team...they did really well the night we went and actually won the game.

I was very impressed by the stadium as well.  It was clean, open, a lot of personnel everywhere.  The large popcorn came with free refills which was helpful with my group of nine.  I had a beer, ordered from the guy walking around.  It was $10 but it was big...very reasonable price considering its a ball game.  Speaking of beer.  Fun Fact.  Did you know that Blue Moon was created at Coors Field?

Hiking the Sand Dunes

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is pretty amazing.  I was there back in 2010 I think and went back this month with visiting family.

what you see as you approach the park

As we drove up, I was slightly disappointed, they looked so small from my memory.  But it is pretty nestled up against the mountains.

But I remembered how difficult it was walking up them, and how I wanted to go farther but we weren't prepared.  At that time, I didn't know about elevation sickness, and we did this the day after we arrived in Colorado.  We also only had one water bottle between the two of us.  So, I prepared a little more for this trip.  I told my family to start drinking water before they flew out, it was not on the itinerary until day 3 or 5...so that would help.  I also got a few extra camel backs.  Originally it was scheduled earlier in the day when the sun wasn't as strong...but it ended up being midday the day, I'd figure it out.

Medano Creek

We arrive at the park and the Medano Creek was wider than I thought.  Some family seemed annoyed with me that they had to cross this and didn't want to get their shoes wet.   Two went back to get flipflops...but how far can you walk in hot sand in flipflops?  The others crossed the creek in their sneakers no complaints, and a handful of smarties took off their shoes walked across and put them back on.  It was only about 1 - 3 inches deep in certain areas.

Probably doesn't look as steep as it was

The walk to the beginning of the sand dunes was a bit away from the parking lot.  A handful of my group did their thing at the closest dunes.  I left one water pack with them and the rest of us carried on.  It takes a while to walk across the sand...and which of the boys were pushing their limits and out challenging each other to climb not across the crests, but up vertical slopes...so that took a while.  They climbed up....I ended up climbing horizontal to meet them...which I thought would be faster than hiking up the crests, which would have zigzagged back around and would have taken too long to the parched kids.

The highest dune in the park is Star Dune at 750 feet.  I'd say that my brother-in-law and a nephew made it to 725 feet to one of the peaks.   I probably made it 680 feet or so...but stayed behind with some of the other kids who were exhausted.

Then we headed back down.  Going down was easier than going up of course.  I wish I thought to bring/rent those sand boards because it looked fun...and cardboard didn't really work so well.  There is a restaurant/visitor shop right before the entrance that rents them....you don't need to go as far as Alamosa first.

Our little sand hike took about 2 hours.  Our trip ended right before the afternoon rain.  I wish we got there earlier so we had more time...but it was another fabulous trip!  One I know the family will talk about for a while.

driving up America's Mountain

In 2010 I took the Cog Railway up to Pikes Peak, so when I had family in town, I suggested the train ride because it was fun and you didn't have to make that 19 mile drive.  But when we arrived we were told a train derailed near the station and no further train would be running that day.  What to do? That was all we had planned.  

I sucked it up and decided we would drive up.  Driving saved us a bunch of money, only costing $40 but I was a little nervous to drive up America's Mountain.  I asked the toll gate lady about the drive and she said "there are guard rails where they are needed"that made me feel better and we began our ride.  

Our first stop was the big foot sign just after Mile Marker 3.  This sign was placed on the highway to mark the approximate location where a visitor spotted a Big Foot like creature in 2001.  I know that sounds crazy....a sign for one sighting?  But no, apparently there have been multiple sightings (read here).  Are you curious how to report a big foot sighting?  I know I was so I looked it up.  Go here.  

The drive continued through an aspen forest with little elevation gain, I was happy.  I thought, I got this no problem! But I knew I'd be going above the tree line soon enough.  We stopped at a dam (which would offer an even more beautiful view in the fall when the aspen's change) then continued up.  

Soon my sister in the back seat started to panic.  The road  started to get windy as it weaved up the switchbacks.  Where are those guard rails?  

where are the guard rails?????

When we crossed the tree line I told my passengers to keep their eye out for wildlife.  And sure enough we saw mountain goats.  One was even in the middle of the road (which is why we started looking around).

After a bit more, we finally reached the summit.  I was glad to have a break from driving!  While my passengers had things to tend to, my nephew & I went into the visitor center and got a few doughnuts hoping that would calm...or rather distract everyone else's bellies.  We took in the views from the "America the Beautiful" sign and then made our way to the Pikes Peak Summit sign for photos.

We only got a short time for viewing the scenery before the clouds moved in.  They kept rising and soon it even started to hail.

After spending about 40 minutes in the visitor center looking around and standing in a line, which took forever, we headed back to the car.  I was dreading the ride back down.  I put the car in low gear, and I knew better enough to ride the brakes the whole time, but there are signs posted for those that don't know that.  It was still a little scary driving down, but it wasn't as bad as I thought, and I actually enjoyed the view a lot more, maybe because I knew what to expect.

 When we got back home, my family presented me with a certificate that I made it to the summit for driving up there.  In a way I am glad we couldn't take the train and I drove up.  I have been very curious about driving some of these mountains after driving through Rocky Mountain NP a few times.  Next up is driving up Mt. Evans, which is the highest paved road in North America.

the Royal Arch

The Royal Arch is located in the Flatirons.  I drove to Chatauqua Park and met a meetup group by the ranger station.  I was a little nervous going into this hike, being rated moderate to strenuous and I knew there were lots of stairs.  Before I moved to Colorado, I never had any breathing problems, but now, I think I have asthma so the hikes and snowshoeing turn out to be less fun as I struggle to catch my breath.  But, with an upcoming trip, I figured I needed the warm up.

I went from being in the front of the pack at the beginning to the last one within 20 minutes of our hike, and last I stayed all the way. I was essentially hiking alone, which is fine when you can't maintain conversations anyway.  I stopped for a lot of breaks and sips of water.  The elevation gain was 1,205 feet with a lot of 'stairs'.

It took me 80 minutes to get to the arch.  It was pretty, but crowded, not just with the meetup group (who apparently had a long lunch up there) but also with lots of other hikers who passed me along the way.  I ate a bar, took a few photos, rested about 10 minutes and then the group headed back down.   I was able to talk to a handful of people on the way down, and down only took about 20-25 minutes.  I am glad I went, and for the first hike of the season, it will only get better.

The trail is 3.2 miles round trip, very popular, and a good hike.  I suggest you give it a try!

Info

the clouds of Colorado

The sky in Colorado is amazing and looks different so often.  At times the weather changes fast, clear blue skys in the morning and then thunderstorms for a while in the afternoon.  Sometimes you can't even seen the foothills and mountains.

first day in Colorado

first time in a pot shop

So many people assumed when I moved to Colorado that I either love to ski or came for the marijuana.  But it is neither.  I am not a fan of skiing and don't have a desire to try it unless my future husband insists and I've never tried marijuana before.  Recently I've thought about maybe trying it...but what it comes down to is money.  Why start something now?  I'd probably like it...and where would all that money come from to purchase it?  Better not to start at this point.

But just because I don't use it, doesn't mean I am not curious about the pot shops.  I knew that the red stores were medicinal and the green were recreational, but other than that...I had no clue.  I had the opportunity recently to go into one and I jumped on the chance.

When we first entered they checked our IDs and once verified, we were allowed through the locked door to the store.  The small room we entered was divided by the cash register.  On the left was the 'raw' stuff and on the right was the edibles.  The raw stuff, or whatever it is called, had a decent variety and had all the supplies you would need to use it, papers, bongs, etc.  They sell it by weight of course.  I was more intrigued by the edibles; they had everything from gummies to beer to lip balm.  The purchases must be placed in this fancy zipped plastic pouch that is child resistant.

The tax on the product is a large percentage, 28%!

After selections were purchased by my party, they realized they forgot to get a lighter.  I purchased it....so there we have it, I purchased something in a pot shop.  

beer on the slopes

My sister and her family came out to Colorado to go skiing at Winter Park.  Not being a skier, I didn't want to miss out on some of the activities they were having after looking at day #1's pictures, so the following day my sister and I snowshoed up to Snowasis; met our skiers, and sat on beach chairs in the snow, drinking a beer, and enjoying the 55 degree day.  It was so great....keep the beer in the snow to stay cold, roll up the sleeves to absorb the sun, and watching skiiers coming down a slope.  I haven't felt this relaxed in months!

do it yourself car wash

There are so many do it yourself car washes out here.  In my NY past, I went to the kind of car wash you either drove your car through, or got out and they put the car through the wash for a smart washing - based on what level car wash.  Sure, there are a few of those kinds of car washes out here...but they are harder to find.  The manual car washes seem to be on like every other block.

After the really snowy February, my car was a disaster, so a wash has been on my to-do list for weeks.  Then when things finally quieted down, the weather became 50-65 degrees and EVERYONE wanted a car wash so both the drive through and the manual ones had really long lines.  Ugh.

I attempted a wash-your-own car wash.  The sign said only $2.  I didn't know for how long.  I was number 3 in line so I was trying to watch the people in front of me to see what they did.  I should have gotten out and just asked the person who looked like he knew exactly what he was doing. The person in front of me washed his car for like 8 minutes.

When it was my turn, I pulled up, grabbed some quarters and read the sign.  Yeah, still confused.  So I just put quarters in, the water started and I gave it a quick hard wash.  Then I quickly grabbed the soap brush and did a super fast scrub because my water still had time.  Then I ran back over to the water stick and sprayed the car from the top down.  And I ran out of time.  I threw in another quarter got 25 seconds, and finished the back of the car.

For $2.25 I have a much cleaner car.  But it wasn't dirt free, which is fine. No doubt it is going to get dirty when it rains or snows next week.

This is an area I need to experiement more, or find someone whose done this before and explain what all the options meant and how to best utilize the water time vs soap scrubbing.

I like that I get to have different experiences out here.  That something 'normal' back home is a different 'normal' here.  For me to feel like I am here...I need to do these 'normal' local things.

becoming a resident

Within 90 days of being in Colorado, you are to get your license and then you have 30 days to change over your car.

When I went for my license, I arrived at a DMV, took a ticket and waited about an hour.  My number was called, I handed all my verification of address, old license, social security card and something else to the lady and she was like...oh, you have a middle name, I need your passport or birth certificate.  I read through the DMV website months ago, I forgot about this middle name issue.  I had to leave, drive 20 minutes back home to get it, drive 20 minutes back and then I was able to jump the line, since I waited over an hour earlier that morning.  I handed her my passport, paid the $21 in cash (not all places take cards) and then was told to wait again.  Another ten minutes go by and it was time for my picture.  I asked the guy if my middle name had to appear on the license, and he said yes, according to Colorado law, middle names must be on your license.  He handed me my temporary paper license, punched holes in the NY license and I was on my way.

A few days later I begin calling around for an appointment for my VIN verification.  This is a one time thing that the car's VIN number must be verified and entered into the police system...and then linked with the DMV.  From the DMV website, I was able to find VIN verifiers, I called and left messages and then finally I called another office who stated that my local police office can do it...so it was either local police or county sheriff.  Other towns won't do other residents.  So I called my local police office, was transferred three times and finally was given the number to the closer satellite office.  I called them and made an appointment for 5 minutes later.  When I arrived at the police station, I had to fill out a form, they took my paperwork (license, title) and entered stuff into the computer.  Then we went out to the car, and he verified the VIN number in three places as well as the odometer reading.  The fee was $15, but varies depending on the agency doing the verification.

The following day I asked my friend for her insurance agent. I wanted to keep the same company I've had for the last 15 years hoping that my discounts would still apply.  I called them and they said they would simply transfer my insurance over, calling my agent back in NY.  A few hours later I get a call from the insurance lady that they spoke to NY and it was fine, but I did not have life insurance and that I needed to go to the office to sign paperwork the following morning.  With a need to get car insurance so I can switch over my car, I gladly accepted this meeting.  I arrive, meet the ladies, all of whom were very nice, and sit down to sign papers. I asked her like three time, in an indirect way, that I did not have life insurance in NY...why do I need it now?  She basically was very vague and said that things are different in Colorado.

I walked out of the office and went straight to a different DMV...for your registration/plates, you need to go to a county office.  Again, I got a number and waited an hour.  When my number was called, I provided the clerk with all my paperwork, I did not need an emissions test because my car is brand new.  She did not ask me for my life insurance policy...which I thought was strange since the insurance lady implied I needed it.  I messaged that guy I was talking to about mandatory life insurance and he laughed, that is not a thing.  I was bamboozled. The yearly registration fees is calculated based on the age of your car, empty weight of the car and original taxable value of the car.  I was nervous about this amount...as my car is brand new.  Total came to $550.95 for ONE YEAR.  Ouch.  But honestly, it was still a little better than I expected after talking to a bunch of other people.  I paid in cash again because the Department of Revenue charges you the credit card transaction fee if you pay with credit card...yes, there is an ATM in the office, but it is a no-name ATM so you'll be hit with that fee for using an out of bank ATM fee, still lower than the credit card fee!  After being there for about 80 minutes, I walk out with my Colorado plates.

I was smart enough to bring screwdrivers with me, so I changed the plates before I left the parking lot and I head straight to the post office to mail back the NY plates.  NY plates must be returned otherwise there will be fines and warrants for your arrest or something.  I had pre-filled out the form, got a flat rate envelope and mailed them back.  The NY DMV website suggest certified or registered mail...but I figured with a tracking number, I'd be safe...I'll have to wait and see.

My license arrived 10 days later and I was happy with my picture.

Dusty Rose Tea Room - A Review

After a failed snowshoeing attempt, my friend and I went to the historic Georgetown.  As it was still early, not much was open yet and the area is very small.  We came upon the Dusty Rose Tea Room where there was a menu posted and thought it would be a nice change...and they were open.

We enter and towards the left is the Rocky Mountain Minatures and towards the right is the tea room.  The tea room was empty as they had just opened so we had the place to ourselves.

Our hostess, the proprietor, showed us to our table and told us to feel free to select another tea cup and saucer, one that spoke to us.  So we walked around the room, looking not only at the tea cups but also the vintage post cards on the tables, the pictures handing from the wall and the atmosphere of the room.

She came back over and gave us menus and told us instead of the Victorian High Tea, they were on the last days of the Christmas Victorian High Tea.  The Afternoon Tea includes eight delicacies served on a two-tiered plate. Those were a little too much for us as it was still early; we each selected the Petite Tea which includes unlimited beverages and four small delicacies.  Of course you can order a la carte or a lunch combo as well; plenty of options.  They had about 6 decaffeinated teas to select from, I selected one and ordered the soup, meat pie, hazelnut chocolate scone and the chocolate peanut butter bar.

While we waited, she told us to select a hat from the wall of hats to wear for our tea.  I went with the most colorful, huge, fun hat I could find.  Many of the hats were being lent to the tea room by a lady in town.

The tea arrived first, each pot in its own cute coozy to keep it warm.

She poured our first cup.

The potato soup arrived. It was delicious and perfect for such a chilly day.

Soon our delicacies arrived.  Woops, the only picture is blurry...but the food was really good.  We asked her if she made everything on site or if she brought in the sweets.  She explained that she tests out the recipes and makes everything onsite.

She asked if we'd like to try different teas. I selected another, this time selecting the Lone Peak Punch.  This tea was a little stronger in flavor compared to the first.  It was good.  I had a sip of my friend's teas as well.  The second tea she selected was the Lewis and Clark Camp Chai.  She added a little sugar and milk, I tried it black.  Then I tried hers...wow, the sugar and milk really enhance the flavor of the Chai.  While that tea was caffeinated, I still had a cup thinking it was New Years Eve and if it helped keep me awake past midnight, I would be happy.

I hope that if you find yourself either in Georgetown wandering the quint streets or if you are looking for something different to do, that you go to the Dusty Rose Tea Room for a wonderful and relaxing experience.

Dusty Rose Tea Room
614 Rose Street
Georgetown, CO 80444
website

pre-recorded new year

New Year's Eve has never really been my thing.  I've done the dress up in a gown and go to a hotel party for all you can eat/drink, a bar, the house party, spend it with a guy, and the go to bed before midnight thing.  

This year I planned on doing the same thing I do whenever I am single...go to a matinee, order Chinese food, work on a puzzle and go to bed around 10ish...unless I am on a puzzle role.  But my roommate's cousin was in town and we invited another friend over so we decided to make a lasagna, drink wine and play board games.  I love board games!   A nice intimate gathering...I am good in small groups and really enjoyed myself.

Last year I spent new years on mountain time when I was with Mountain Man...but we had a movie on and missed the ball dropping at midnight.  This year, I was able to witness a horrible, lame ball dropping from mountain time.  

What happens is you have on the local/national station.  Starting about 8 or so, local time, they start airing live from New York City.  We watch the shows, music, commentating and at around 9:30 local time (I wasn't paying too much attention since we were playing games) they cut out for the news.  We  don't see the ball drop in NY.  Around 10:30 local time, we get back the NY events where they are summarizing the evening and play more songs.  And worse, around 11:30 local time, they play back the hour we were missing from that time in NY.  Our ball dropping was from TWO hours ago in New York City, pre-recorded, and we hear "New York, New York" at the stroke of midnight.  Seems very inappropriate. 

I thought that the local/national station would have showed us the NY ball dropping at 10, then some city in Central Time at 11, and then cut out to show us a local event at our midnight.  A chain of new years, if you will.  I know Denver did a firework display...why not broadcast that?  Do other big cities not celebrate New Years with a ball dropping?  And if not...why does everyone bother to stay up if they are just staying up to watch the ball drop?  I don't know...call me crazy, but I think we can do better.

my first Colorado winter experience

When word got out I was moving to Colorado, everyone asked if I liked to ski.  No, I don't.  I tried downhill skiing on two different occasions, and I really did not enjoy it.  Cross country skiing...now that I enjoyed when I tried it this past January.  No, I was not moving to Colorado to go "skiing", not many people think of cross country when they think Colorado skiing.

This new friend I met really wanted to go skiing and had a coupon for buy one get one free lift tickets to Winter Park.  I thought it would be good for me to get out of the house and get some fresh air because I really haven't done anything 'fun' in a while.  It gets a little mopey job searching and cleaning all the time.

I had my snowshoes shipped out to me about a month ago, I was happy to take them out of the box, along with my winter boots and gloves.  I had my base layers and coat already from when it was below freezing the week before.  We met at a park and ride and I drove out there.  Thankfully, the roads were dry, I am not sure if I would have been a good driver if the roads were wet and icy.

Now, I did NOT need a lift ticket to go snowshoeing, but that would defeat the whole purpose of my friend saving money.  So I bought one/half price $36.50 and took the lift up with her the first time and then walked down a trail.  Sadly, I only did it that one trail.  Since walking takes a bit longer than skiing, my friend had already gone down 3 or 4 times (only short, easy trails were open since it was pre-season), and then after we stopped for a beer and half lunch, I videoed her when she went down two or three times.  

On our way out, we decided to make snow angels.  I haven't done that in years, it was so much fun to feel like a kid again!

Our trip back was faster than getting there by 40 minutes (thankfully much less traffic going east) and she was able to make her dinner plans with another friend.