Twenty Seven Days In

I've been in Colorado for almost a month now, and still enjoying each day here! I am so glad to have this awesome opportunity to be here for the five months!! I am full with every happy adjective that you can think of! :)

The most important thing that has happened since I last blogged was that Brandon and I found out where we are heading to next: MISSISSIPPI (que: M-I Crooked Letter song). We are both very excited about getting Columbus AFB for UPT. We will be there for about a year and a half and then we will move again once he gets the plane he will fly for the Air Force! 

The night we found out was also the night we went up to the mountains with some friends to spent the weekend skiing. Saturday, we woke up and ate breakfast, then I started feeling nauseous. I wanted to ski so bad and I know Brandon did, too, but I just could not make it. I spent the day sick as a dog while Brandon did an awesome job taking care of me; it was the first time I have been sick away from home! Big milestone for me! The next day, we were able to get some skiing in at Keystone and the trails are fun, but for the blue (intermediate) runs, I feel like they were somewhat difficult. We went skiing two years ago at Breckenridge and I remember those runs being easier, so I wanted to go there the next day. They are only like 10 minutes apart and Breck is on the way home so we went there on Monday. Oh my goodness was this day fun! The weather was so nice and we went up to the top of a peak, above the tree line, and skied in wide open areas and some tree runs. There weren't too many people up there and we just skied right onto the lift to take us back up. I had a blast and kept telling Brandon how much fun that day of skiing was! 

At Keystone with Breck in the background

Top of the peak! Felt like we were in the clouds!

"Us"ie with the GoPro

My ski pole all the way down. At least fifty inches of snow!

 So much snow!

My job is still going great and feels less like a job each day. The kids are so much fun and really enjoying having a "family" out here to make it less lonely. Although I do miss everyone at home, and the pets, I think I surprised myself and Brandon for how well I am doing. Brandon did not think I would be going out and doing stuff on my own, but I am enjoying exploring and getting the most out of my time in Colorado. I am going to miss being here so much!! The scenery is just amazing!

This past weekend, Brandon and I relaxed on Saturday and did a few errands. I took my first trip to the commissary on base and it was neat to walk around and get a few deals. Brandon picked up a steak and I got a piece of salmon to cook for dinner from there. My salmon turned out great, but Brandon wanted steak with cheese on top (some recipe he found) and I don't think it turned out too great for him! We woke up Sunday and went to Breck again to ski for a bit, but Brandon started feeling bad and it was chilly, so we didn't ski very long. It was definitely not the best day and I fell quite a few times so I was wore out after a little while! haha We did a few runs in the trees and those are not traveled as much and there was a lot of powder so I would stop, get stuck, and then just fall, so the fall wasn't bad, but getting up is so hard! 

Fresh powder! 

Brandon had told me about a donut place in a little town, so instead of stopping at our usual for BBQ (After I ate it last time I felt sick, so I can't eat it quite yet cause it still makes me a bit nauseous thinking about it), we stopped there. We got there late so they didn't have many choices, but we got one huge glazed donut and then some cake batter ice-cream. I am trying to eat healthy, but boy was that donut tasty! Way better than Krispy Kreme and that is hard to beat!! 

I also started Crossfit while out here and I am only a week in and I am loving it. I always wanted to try it back home, but there wasn't a gym (or box, as they are referred as) close by. I am loving the challenge of the workouts and each day tests me in a different way. With the physical challenge, there is also one mentally, and that is where I see my real strength, when I complete something I didn't think I could. Everyone there is encouraging and friendly, so it makes the environment fun. I am looking forward to the challenge while I am here!! :) 

The sunrise this morning! 

I understand the term "Purple Mountain Majesties" now. I wish the pictures did the view justice, because they don't! There is Pike's Peak and to the right is the Incline, that teeny line of snow going straight up! 

Yesterday, the weather was beautiful and it is supposed to be the same today- sunny and 65 degrees! In a little while I am going to go for a walk around Garden of the Gods and hopefully enjoy the sunshine and warmth. I know ya'll back in the east are having snow so I hope you stay safe and warm!! Have a great day!! :)

Much love,

Caroline

Settling In

Tonight wraps up an awesome weekend and the start of a new week of fun! I am having a great time here in Colorado, if you can't tell by my Facebook pictures. I really wasn't expecting the move to go this well! I didn't expect myself to go out and try new things, but I am really enjoying doing new and exciting things! 

On Thursday, I started working with a family and I am really enjoying getting to know the dynamics and children. I think they remind me a lot of my own family, which is awesome and hopefully everything will go great! I am so lucky to have found this job and I hope they like me too! 

Yesterday, Saturday, was an awesome day! I really got to experience what living in Colorado is all about. I woke up pretty early, excited that it was a sunny day with an amazing temperature, so I decided to do the Incline while waiting for Brandon to get out of class. 

The view from the bottom.

A little background on the Incline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitou_Incline

You should really read the Wikipedia article and walking up the Incline should definitely be put on your Colorado bucket list!  :D 

The Incline, if you didn't read the article, is a trail, a little more than 3/4 of a mile, with a 2,000 feet elevation gain! Takes my breath away just thinking about it! I was pumped for this because I loved getting on the stairmaster at Longwood's gym and this is pretty much the exact same, just 23557452 times harder! I finally make it to the trail and it is SO nice outside (and I forgot that I had a small lightweight backpack at my place to pack water but I wasn't too concerned). I start walking up and was really enjoying the challenge, until I got to ice covered steps....This part I had not thought through. I saw a bunch of people holding these chains in their hands and I had no idea what they were doing with them. I quickly learned! Those chains went around their shoes to help them get good traction on the ice. Okay, I thought in 55 degree weather I would not have to worry about ice. I was wrong. I felt like I needed to turn around because I was slipping up and just struggling A LOT. However, I would then get to a part where there was no ice so I kept going, then I felt the need to accomplish the Incline. Along the way, I met a nice army Chaplain, with a border collie (I miss Sydney) who was thoroughly enjoying the climb, and we talked a little bit along the way up. He said his wife and her friend most likely turned around a long time ago, so I was questioning my own self. He did not have the chains on so at least I didn't feel like the only crazy one out there! Luckily, on the way up, I didn't fall because if I did I would have slid a little ways down the mountain. At some points, I had to use my hands to help because we were practically climbing up. It was quite steep! I knew there was a false summit but had lost track of the climb and I asked the man if what I saw as the top was the false summit and he said "yes, it is the false summit" I almost wanted to lay down and never get up; I felt like I was dying! It would had been so much easier without the ice! However, what he told me was the false summit was actually the top and I was rejoicing when I knew I had completed the Incline! With a time of 55 minutes, I am pretty proud of myself and hopefully my time will get better when I try it again, when I am better prepared! 

Once I was at the top, I realized how thirsty I was and I couldn't wait to get down to my car where I had ice cold water. Barr trail is a four mile trail down to the base and I knew that would be a breeze. I started down it, grabbing snow to eat along the way (even though it take more energy than it's worth to melt the snow, I was really enjoying the refreshing coolness and water), then realized this would not be as easy as I thought. This trail was also covered in ice in some places!!! Just couldn't escape! I took my time and then realized two high schoolers were also taking their time so they stayed with me and helped me down the mountain. They didn't have chains on and they were locals, so that was comforting! I watched them fall a few times and get soaking wet, then I spoke up about how I hadn't completely fell yet, but I jinxed myself, and fell and slid six times. Ice is no joke! We passed a guy who had slipped and dislocated his shoulder so he and his friends were off the trail waiting for the search and rescue to arrive (Mom is loving this part if she is reading). The army chaplain had left the top before I did, but then he passed us, going up the mountain, and told us that it gets really bad and we should turn around and go down the Incline. I did not know who to listen to at this point, but I know I didn't really want to go up hill and face the ice that way, so we kept going the way we were. There were railings a lot of times to hold on to, which helped a lot! We passed the search and rescue crew and they didn't have chains/spikes on either (?). I was really shocked by this because I figured they would have known to carry those with them if they are from here! Finally, we reached a "1/2 mile" sign and knew I was so close! I made it down with 10 minutes to get to my car before my time ran out and I was feeling great! During the hike, I was definitely questioning myself and wondering why I wanted to do that, but then I was very proud I accomplished the Incline and Barr trail in my tennis shoes when so much was covered in ice. It was probably one of the hardest things I have done physically and now I am ready to put some screws into my tennis shoes so I will have some traction and be able to complete the Incline without worrying about slipping! I just stumbled along this (http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm) so it seems like a more cost effective solution! :)

I can't wait for Brandon and I to do this together! 

Just a small portion of the ice I faced! 

Brandon finished with class and then came over. We spent a little time watching American Horror Story, probably not the best series to watch when staying by yourself, but a good show nonetheless. We decided to go to Cityrock later on and try bouldering. Bouldering is different than rock climbing because you don't go very high (high enough) and do not where a harness. They have a soft mattress type pad if you do fall, which is somewhat comforting. Bouldering is no joke. I thought it looked pretty easy, but it wasn't. It was very difficult and scary. I knew I wasn't that high up, but I was still scared of falling. I stuck to the pretty easy ones and I felt like they weren't so easy, but hopefully we will get better! Brandon did pretty well and did some pretty impressive ones for someone's first time! We had a blast trying this and can't wait to do it again, but right now my arms and fingers are pretty sore! I was falling asleep last night while we were watching a movie and I kept jumping and then at one point I flew my arm up in the air and Brandon was a bit confused, but I was dreaming that I was grabbing for a place to hold on to while climbing the wall. It was pretty funny and I was worn out! 

I decided it would be best for us (me) to skip skiing today and just take it easy. I knew I was going to be sore and skiing wouldn't help. The mom, Megan, of the family I am working for, invited me to their church if we didn't go skiing, so Brandon and I went this morning and it was quite interesting. 

New Life Church is the second biggest church in Colorado, with a 12,000 weekly attendance! It is nondenominational and very contemporary, something I am not used to, with a lot of music, dancing, hand raising, and "Amens". I found it very interesting, though, and I thought the message was great. It is the church's 30th anniversary and they celebrated that today and I found it very inspiring that despite a few big, scary events, the church is still thriving; hey don't let that define the church, but instead they turn to worship. It was very touching.

Brandon and I spent the rest of the day watching football and American Horror Story before he had to leave. We didn't realize it was snowing until he opened the door. We have about two inches and Brandon said the roads were awful. Hoping they will be clear by the time I have to leave in the morning! If you thought Virginia weather was bipolar, well you have never been to Colorado!!! Shorts and a t-shirt to snow boots all in 24 hours! 

I am falling asleep as I am writing and I thought this was going to be relatively short! Whoops! 

Goodnight! 

Caroline

P.S. This is what came down last night and found it a winter wonderland this Monday morning! 

Colorado Living!

Today is Tuesday and it has been exactly one week since Brandon and I left and headed west. The trip was not as fun as the last road trip we did in August, but we made it to Colorado in three days. It was a long three days driving though, but the worst was the first day. It was my hardest leaving everything I knew home in Virginia. Now I have been gone for a week and I miss my family, but I am enjoying Colorado! As I write this post, I am drinking some coffee and keep looking out the door at the sun coming up. I am pretty sure some people think I am suspicious because I am always walking around looking at the views! 

I am finally getting all settled in at my apartment. It is very cozy and it feels more homey now that almost everything is put away. It is quaint and simple, but plenty of room for myself. Brandon was great at helping me put everything upstairs and then setting up the two TVs, although we are missing a remote so we don't know what happened to that! Once we got to Colorado, Brandon wanted to go skiing the next day, but he had a terrible cold so we didn't get to go until Sunday, which was okay since there was still so much to do around here still! Instead of unpacking, however, we decided to watch American Horror Story, so the unpacking took a bit longer. I finally finished putting my clothes away yesterday so my mom will be happy my room is SPOTLESS! :D  

Brandon and I went out a bit this weekend to do some exploring/shopping for groceries and it is pretty nice being so close to everything! I think my mom is jealous I can walk to a Starbucks if I wanted and get a skinny vanilla latte *extra hot* whenever!! I am also right near King Soopers, which is a Kroger, but supposedly Kroger has a few different names. Who knew?! 

Here is my birthday dinner Brandon and I cooked together! 

The wildlife here is also bountiful! Brandon and I had to go to USAFA the other day to get his skis and on the way out we saw a huge coyote. It was probably twenty yards away, but too quick for me to snap a picture. On Sunday, on the way to Keystone, we saw about 100 deer grazing in a field. There is definitely no shortage of them out here. Pulling into the complex that evening, we then saw a big elk! Brandon says the people around probably think I am crazy since its just a normal thing, but I think it is pretty cool so I will continue to be in awe at the wildlife and views! 

It is pretty hard coming to a place where you only know one person and you can't see that person daily so it does get a bit lonely. While Brandon has been gone, I have been binge watching Parenthood on Netflix or driving around to see what else Colorado Springs has to offer. As I was taking a picture of the sunset last night I did have a cat come up to me and let me pet it for awhile. She wasn't as cute as June, but did make me miss her and Sydney! I also met an elderly lady last night, who lives a few doors down, and talked to her for about half an hour. She seemed very sweet and gave me a lot of advice about living around here. Yay for two friends!

I also went to meet the family I am working for last night. They are so sweet!! I can't wait to get started tomorrow working for them!! :D 

So far everything is going great! I am really glad that Brandon and I are no longer long distance, although I wouldn't trade that experience either. The past three and a half years have been no walk in the ballpark, but I feel that both, Brandon and I, have grown and learned so much from the experiences we have shared separately or together. Now I am excited to start practicing my role as a future wife, which by the way, is in FIVE months! AHHH! We have so much fun when we are together and it is just easy. I know it is not always going to be paradise in a marriage, but I know whatever happens we will be there for each other 100 percent! 

As I am enjoying living out here, I do miss everyone back at home! It is nice for modern technology, like Skype, so I can still talk and see mom, dad, and the rest of the family! I also want to thank Brandon's parents for everything you have done for us and letting me become a house guest when Brandon is home and for always tagging along!! I really appreciate you and the whole clan for being so welcoming to me so long ago and taking me in as family too!! :) Talleysville Road is surely missed, but I know I will be back soon and everyone will still be there! Sitting here makes me realize how blessed I am to have such a loving family and such a great support system out there as I have new adventures with Brandon! 

Love to all! 

Caroline