Bringing the Suburb Girl Hiking

There are no pictures to illustrate our adventures on Friday but did have a good time. We hiked Red Rocks and then took a mineral bathe in Idaho Springs, CO.  The Mineral Bathe was HOT HOT but it was amazing for my pores to open up and to sweat out all of the toxins!

We Made It!

On Saturday we headed up to Boulder and went to the Farmers Market and Hiking.  I simply love the Farmers Market in Boulder and am excited for it to get later in the season when there are more crops! 

Supporting My Sister's Friend Sister! 

Beth and I hiked Flat Irons which is about a 3 mile hike and you end up hiking about 2,000 feet up.  It is a hike I have done about 3 or 4 times but the views are incredible.  I am extremely proud of Beth because she has not really hiked before and did amazing! Also, she over came some of her fears of hikes while hiking! 

Micro Brewery

A Few of The Beers

Within moments of landing, Beth and I hit the ground running. I picked up Beth from the airport and with a quick hug we were off to the car.  

Mission Statement inside heart: "Making Our
Love and Talent Manifest" 

Our first stop on this adventure was to New Belgium Brewery. New Belgium is a local beer company who brews their beer in Fort Collins.  It all started in the basement of a man house and now it is a multi-million dollar company. The beer is in a hand full of States and will be appearing in the selfs of Michigan sometime this month.  During the tour I found the the CEO is a FEMALE and a Social Worker! You know with those two traits the company will be successful while keeping the best interest of their client and workers in mind. 

Dear Peace Corps

A year a go today I returned from the Peace Corps.  In this year, I have had a lot of time to ponder about my experience and how I have changed as a lady.  I thought it would be fun to write a letter to my 'Peace Corps Experience'

My Dearest Peace Corps Experience!

We spent two amazing years together where a lot of it was a love hate relationship.  Through those two years, you taught me so very much.  You taught me the power of family near and far.  You taught me how important a man hug was and brought two men in my life that provided "Michelle with a Man Hug.' You showed me how the sea can heal all things including sore muscles, a broken soul, and a restless mind.  You enlightened me how selfless individuals can be in many different situations.  My dearest Peace Corps, you taught me how to feel.  Feel all of those nasty and negative emotions I was running from.  You taught me that breaking down was OK and through those experiences I have become strong.  You gave me four individuals who have served as my rock, my ear, my joy, and my life.  For they will forever have a special place in my heart and will understand me unlike anyone else.

My Dearest Peace Corps, I hated you during the moments you made me be with me.  You forced me to sit with me and truly look at all of my nasty qualities I have and need to continue to work with.  During a low time in my experience, you brought 3 men into my life who had a love for Dominica that set my soul on fire.  My dearest Peace Corps, you gave me another Best Friend.  For our friendship started on a bench and the love for maps (her love, not mine!) and will end with sharing stories with our grandchildren about Dominica. My dearest Peace Corps, you gave me the Garaway Hotel and two lovely ladies I could ALWAYS count on to meet me there and share in a moment of breathing.

But most of all my dearest Peace Corps, you healed me.  You healed my soul and gave me an outlook on life that nobody can take away from me.  You healed my anxiety causing stomachaches and gave me the ability to role with any situation that may come my way.  I am now always prepared with a Plan A, Plan B, and half of a Plan C.  For some reason because of you I do better in situations where I am recovery from a hiccup then when I am fully prepared.  My Dearest Peace Corps, you have given me another family and experiences nobody can take away from me.  Many times I wanted to give up on you but My Dearest Peace Corps Thank You for pushing me to limits I did not know I could handle, endlessly showing me what pure joy was and making my soul smile!

Love Always
Meesh! 

Best Friend Lands in Denver!

Well, I had an adventures weekend with my Best Friend! I was thrilled and over joyed that Beth, my best friend was coming to visit! We had a jammed packed weekend (like all my guest do) with activities from Hiking, going to a Farmers Market, Vagina Monologues, Micro Brewery Tour, soaking in a Mineral Bathe, and ending the weekend at Jump Street! 


It always a lot of fun for me to show my friends around the new city I live in, introduce them to my friends, and have them experience the life I live! 


As the weeks go on there will be random blogs of what are adventures looked like and the fun we had! 

Day #3: National Park!

The ladies and I raised and shined early and we were off! We ended up hiking about 10 miles and it was breathtaking! We were at Arches National Park in Moab Utah! There is not a lot to say about it so I will just fill the blog with pictures :)

Rachel and I are sitting on the left hand corner of the Arch! 

Birthday!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Today was Easter and also my Birthday! I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have individuals around me who just love and adore me! Because of my lovies in Michigan, Denver, Dominica, and other various States I was simply surrounded around love on my day of Birth!

I had a table of goodies from my family, beautiful flowers, and a sweet message from an even sweeter 3 year old  wishing me a Happy Birthday then asking about his Easter Basket at YoYos house! 

♥

I will just tell you about my Birthday weekend that will continue next weekend when my bestest will be here!

Saturday: I had about 10 of my lovies over for dinner.  We did a simply taco bar so everyone could make their own taco! Super easy and super yummy! It was just great to have everyone together, chatting about nonsense and sharing in a meal together! 

My Birthday Cake Sweet Jennie Made Me 

Sunday: I left my house at 4A to go to Red Rocks for an Easter Sunrise Service! Breakfast in one hand and coffee from Dominica in the other! Over 10,000 gathered for this Service and it was BEAUTIFUL! The pictures do not do it justice of how great it was to be there while the sun was raising!

Red Rocks!

After an very long nap it was time to go spend sometime with my Denver Family! The Aunt that was having Easter heard it was my birthday and surprised me with a cookie cake, candles and song! I am so grateful to spend the evening with Family! I miss Family time that is the hardest for me when I am away! Like every other situation I create family where I am and have been blessed with 7 Aunts who adore me and make sure my special day is truly special! 

Day #2: Living in a Rock!

View from the Hotel

We left CO after sleeping in a little! We were off to Utah! Since the weather was not going to be very good that day, instead of hiking we decided to go to a Dino Museum and 'Hole in the Rock!'

The Dino Museum was in the small city of Frita! It was really cute.  One of the girls LOVES Dinos so she was extremely excited to go to the Museum.  Myself and the other girl were indifferent but it was a good place to stop and stretch our legs before lunch.

After lunch, we continued our journey and finally made it to Utah! Pictures do not do justice for Utah! It is gorgeous.  Before we checked into our hotel we stopped at 'Hole in the Rock!'  It is an AMAZING tourist trap.  A couple lived inside of the rock for about 20 years and ran a diner in there for about 10 of those years.  It was very interesting to see how they lived and how they dug out a home in the rock. On the land was also a exotic zoo where we could feed the animals.  The land was just filled with random pieces of art as well as old signs everywhere! It was one of the greatest tourist traps I have attend :)

Stayed tuned for Day #3!