It's nice to go away for a few days and better to come home.
The first few days of the trip were great: lovely I-70 to Denver/Boulder area, where I'd never been. The verdant hills and farms feel like home. Spent time with two brothers' families, including new babies. Saw an old friend. Browsed through a bookstore, ate Chicago-style pizza and Italian gelato on Pearl Street. July 4 fireworks with panoramic views. Amusement park had good rides and reasonable lines. Complimentary buffet breakfast.
Then we drove north to Laramie (N had a conference there--our going along saved 6 hours driving, a car rental, and hotel room). I'm afraid we had a bad attitude going in--at least, our two older kids did, which made it hard for the rest of us to enjoy the place. The hotel was very nice, which meant it did not offer complimentary breakfast. The good news was that we had two tvs and could hook up the Xbox to one of them. We swam in the hotel pool both days and spent most of the rest of our time in our comfortable hotel room. We did leave the hotel to eat meals and drive to the Snowy Mtns--not quite as close as they appeared on the map, but lovely (and genuinely snowy). The highlight of the drive was seeing two moose 50 yards off the road, but when we opened the window to snap a photo, several mosquitoes swooped in. Daughter A says that seeing two moose was not worth 1.5 hour drive (round trip) and 13 mosquito bites (pretty sure she got most of those July 4). We missed the rodeo by 10 hours, though we probably could have taken in bull riding or mutton busting. Surely we could have gone bowling or to a movie. But my kids didn't want to go anywhere--not even the park (we did go after some bribing/threats)--they just wanted to complain about how stupid Laramie was.
I'm glad to exchange the hotel suite for multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a nice yard and swing set. And I'm starting to feel anxiety about the prospect of 6 months in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom flat, homeschooling my children (albeit in London, not Laramie).
"Saw an old friend"--that would be me! It was lovely to see you again and get to know Nick better. I'm glad you enjoyed the Boulder Bookstore--isn't it a gem?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that Laramie was disappointing despite the moose appearance! I can appreciate your anxiety about the two-bedroom flat in London (especially since there will be fewer moose--but fewer mosquitos too, right?).
I'm sure you'll figure out a way to make it all work in London, though!
bummer to have missed the rodeo! i heard from tony that a bus load of academics went to it--and seeing that would have been at least half the fun, in my opinion. three cheers for london! so exciting that you guys are headed back. currently trying to figure out a way to make sure that my dissertation demands some research in the UK.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comment--hopefully (and i totally trust) the diss will be looking up soon :) wish i were going to london as well.
ReplyDeletei did post that last one rather late--but not 4am, thank heavens! my time stamp must be all screwy. 11pm or midnight would be more accurate. i got sucked into masterpiece mystery online. ah, pbs. gets me every time.