October in Colorado

To celebrate his birthday, hubby & I took an extra-long Weekend and went back to our favorite place in the world - Estes Park, Colorado!  If you didn't already know, this is where we got married and feels like coming "home".

We timed it perfect for the Aspens changing & the weather was absolutely perfect!  Just look at that blue sky!

One of the things I just love about Colorado is,  as many times as we've been there, we always find something new to see or do.

Trail Ridge Road

Elk

And you have to believe we stopped in here!  It was like stepping back in time.  The homemade cinnamon rolls were the best I've ever had!  There were also quilts that were all hand stitched.  I didn't take any pictures inside because I was so excited about everything!

I'm already wishing we were back there, hopefully we can get there again next year!

Trip to the North Shore & July Reading Recap

This year for our Wedding Anniversary we went up to the North Shore of Lake Superior.  It was beautiful weather and we had an amazing time!  One of our favorite parts of the trip was seeing the giant ships coming into to Duluth and Twin Harbors.

In Duluth we headed to Canal Park to see if there were any ships coming in.  We timed it just about perfect.  There were tons of cars & people around and we noticed that the lift bridge was up.  The Roger Blough was coming into to port!

We learned from Duluth Shipping News she was built in 1972 and is 858 feet long.  Does anyone else think its interesting that most ships are named after men, but referred to as ladies?? Anyway, out on the pier we were sooo close to her coming in and going under the lift bridge. Great start to our trip!

As we worked our way north, our next stop was Split Rock Lighthouse.  I had gone here with my family when I was young, so it was a really good experience to share with my husband as well.  We had another beautiful/sunny day.

Easy to see where the lighthouse gets its name!

While there, we got to tour the lighthouse as well as the grounds and the light-keeper's homes.  There is also a museum and gift shop where we learned about the multiple shipwrecks in November 1905 which lead to its construction.  And after seeing the huge freighters up close in person, its hard to fathom them running into the rocky shoreline and sinking.  Which leads me to my July Reading Recap...

Steel on the Bottom by Frederick Stonehouse (5/5)

I picked up this book to learn more about Great Lakes Shipwrecks and with eight different stories it was a good choice!  It feels kind of morbid to be excited about a shipwreck book, but I found each of the stories fascinating.  Have you seen the quotes on Pinterest about having a "book hangover" and needing time before reading the next book?  That's how I felt about Steel on the Bottom.  Only it was after each chapter.  After reading about each wreck, the people involved, how everything went down, and coast guard conclusions on how they could have been prevented, I needed time to digest.  I wanted to give each story my full attention, so it took me a couple weeks to finish the book.  When I only had one more chapter to read, I kept putting it off. I didn't want the book to end.  I think I have found a new genre of books for me, this book had me thoroughly immersed . If you ever get a chance to see these great ships in person, you've gotta do it.  Even if you don't think you'd be interested, just do it.  Their size and how they maneuver is remarkable.  And even if you don't see them in person, I recommend the book whole-hardheartedly.  You won't be disappointed!

Chicago, Chicago - That Toddlin' Town

We're back from Chicago!  It was an amazing time!  I need to catch up on my 30 day photo project.  But first I want to share a pic from the top of the Sears...ugghh I mean...Willis Tower.  Whatever you call it, the views were amazing! I could have stayed up there all day!

Now back to realty, I guess. And laundry.