I am a Texas gal through and through, but there is just something special about Colorado and the mountains, especially in summer (and not just because it is so hot here right now). Every time I go is different, yet it is the exact same. The last time my family went, I opted out because of my Ireland trip, so this time felt almost like a homecoming. Greeting a long lost friend. We have a strong nostalgic connection to this place.

It is the mountains for me. Everything about them. How they make you feel small, like storms. How they are always there, but always different, like the sunrises and the sunsets. I feel like we took full advantage and it made for a diamond of a week (see what I did there?).

I chose to drive instead of fly and make it into an adventure. Unlike some people, I really enjoy driving and seeing new things. Listening to music or audiobooks.

I dropped Merle off at the kennel (not all places are dog friendly in Colorado…insert major eye roll) on Thursday late afternoon and worked from the farm on Friday so I could take care of some necessary farm things before hitting the road early Saturday morning (and to sneak a ride in on my Lito. One because I wanted to/I was going to be gone long enough, but also because our last ride was not the best and I needed to ‘right the wrong’ so to speak. We righted the wrong).

I took a different route to west Texas than I normally take and made the ‘swiftest’ swing through NRS World in Decatur that I possibly could. I purchased a few things because they made me happy and continued on my way.

Texas was really showing off with some beautiful weather and showing all the lovely effects of a good spring and summer.

I rolled into Amarillo with just enough time to check into my hotel, change my clothes, and then head to The Golden Light Cantina to hear Dale Watson play.

It was a great time and I sat next to some cool people at the bar. He even played some Merle Haggard.

I called it a night relatively early as I needed my rest for another full day of exciting driving.

I am not sure if I have waxed poetic about west Texas before, but if you did not know, I really love west Texas. It gives me all the feels. The flatness and clear views. The cotton fields and pivot waterers. Good looking cows cooling off in the playas. The smell and the feel of dry air.

My second day of driving was really spectacular. All I wanted to do was stop in at one of the many ranches I was passing, borrow a horse, and ride until I couldn’t anymore. It really makes me want to do a cross country ride, to envision what it was like two hundred years ago.

If you have never taken a cross country road trip, I highly recommend it. Like, really. Words and pictures (of which I do not really have because I was driving) really do not do stunning countryside justice. Pack snacks and fuel up when you can (and have music or books downloaded…) because sometimes you do not know when you are going to be in no man’s land.

I was driving and having a merry old time when I was getting hungry for lunch. I looked around and looked at the map and wondered if there was going to be any lunch to be had. I was feeling very fortunate for the apple I grabbed from the hotel on my way out.

As luck would have it…or something else…I ‘stumbled’ upon the cute little saving grace of a town, Westcliff, in the front range in what felt like the middle of nowhere. The view dropping into town almost made me drive off the road. I was so surprised and pulled over to find the best place to eat and have a little break from driving.

The drive through the pass into Aspen was an adventure in itself as I had never driven it myself before, but it was so worth it. The weather was showing off a little as it was lightly raining on the way up and the way down, but it was not raining at the top.

I stopped a couple of times to enjoy the views…and let people pass me.

I kept my jacket on when I got back in the truck, rolled my windows down, and turned my music up as I enjoyed the cruise down into town. I did have to roll my windows up a couple of times because of the rain, but that did not dampen my mood.

We cooked dinner in my first night followed by music porch time and enjoyed an easy hike around town the first day, including stopping in at ACES and catching the Osprey (we saw them many times).

Y’all should know by now how I am about trees…

We had a lovely lunch in town followed by naps while it rained in the afternoon.

Tuesday morning we got up and out early with a packed lunch to head to Ruedi reservoir to hike around, fish, and have a picnic. We saw much bird action while there including Osprey with caught fish, Bald Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk, and fly catching birds.

Wednesday morning, after a bear tried to bust into a dumpster around 12:30 AM, dawned a bit rainy. I ventured into town with my rain coat to get my traditional coffee and muffin at Paradise Bakery (sorry, not as good as it used to be!) before having a nice hike at the base of the mountain.

I just love all the pops of color with the flower plantings all over the place.

We then hiked to a lovely and indulgent lunch outside of town.

The lunch was good, but it was the hike and the views that really made it!

I could have stopped right here with a picnic lunch!

Thursday was chilly, but we ventured out to explore the John Denver Sanctuary (a must), followed by some trails and neighborhoods before heading to lunch.

We went up to to top of Snowmass mountain for fun before coming back down for dinner. The rain quit right as we sat down outside and gave us a beautiful rainbow.

After dinner we enjoyed a fire with wine and a movie before bed.

My last day was a big one. I ran out to Louis Swiss Bakery (WORTH IT…my new regular) to grab some breakfast things and some cookies for the day. We drove up to Grizzley reservoir for a hike with long time friends. Spoiler alert, the reservoir was drained for dam repairs (!) and that seemed to make the drive up in my truck (and the drive back down) a bit more rough than it should have been. Took away a bit from the arrival that is for sure. We missed the memo on that until we were on our way there. However, the mountains put on a show regardless!

We hiked to Frenchman’s Cabin (we were on our way to the ghost town of Rubi) before we decided we had enough of the elevation, cold, and rain (and my hiking boots…I will be getting something different).

We had a very nice leisurely hike back down looking for the sun shining on the mountains.

We did have momentary breakouts of blue sky.

The sky opened back up with thunder right as we got back to the truck.

We bumped our way back down the mountain in just enough time to unload, change, and grab an early dinner. After dinner and a little packing, we had wine and porch time with music before bed.

Saturday morning dawned early but ready. My parents helped me load the truck and I set off with a big mug full of coffee and a scone from Louis Swiss. My plan was to stop at the divide to enjoy some of my coffee and scone if it was not raining. Well, it was not raining! I was again chasing the sun, but I saw some cool beams on the mountains.

I took some pictures of some people at the sign before continuing on my way. It was a much easier drive the second time, so my advice is to take it!

I rolled into Amarillo upon my return with west Texas in all its glory. The sky was red with that tell tale red dirt and early sunset and the wind was blowing, the rain sprinkle was a little cold, and that smell. That west Texas petrichor. There is nothing like it.

I had intentions of going back to The Golden Light, but I was too tired (and sore! It took me a minute to get my walking legs back). It was a ‘rock star’ hotel night with wine from Pinkie’s Liquor store and local delivery pizza in bed with a movie. The rest of the drive back to the farm was good and I was very glad to be greeted by my ponies. I picked up the Merle Monday morning on my way to work.

This week began with a welcome break in the brutal temperatures. It has me thinking. Thinking of fall and baking pumpkin bread. All of it. I said it, you were thinking it. It is coming!

Walk in love, dear readers, and BE!

Tell me what you have been up to this summer, what you are looking forward to this fall!