This is how our trip started...
...a couple of wine flights before our flight. Hello Pinot Noir!
Kevin and I flew in Thursday night and met his mom at the car rental place. We were staying by the airport the first night because Chris and Holly were flying in early Friday afternoon. We went out to dinner where I promptly ordered a dirty martini (yummo) and a steak. So good. It felt so amazing to be on vacation. If I haven't made it clear in earlier posts, work has been crazy and this was sooo very much needed. Friday we headed over to Loren's house (the groom) to help with whatever was needed. Kevin and I pretty much had to drop Lori (momma-in-law) off and turn around back to the airport to pick up Chris and Holly. After we got them we headed back to Loren's and the boys tried on their tuxes.
...aww...something about my hubby in a tux...so handsome!
After a quick change at the hotel, Friday night was spent at the golf club for the rehearsal and back and Loren and Wendy's for some celebratory pre-wedding food and drinks.
Saturday...the big day! The boys (Kevin and Chris were both groomsmen) had to be to the golf club early so the girls spent that time sipping wine at the bar :). The ceremony was in the afternoon and was beautiful. Outside, overlooking the mountains. What a gorgeous setting. Wendy looked beautiful, Loren looked handsome and they both looked so happy. I love weddings!
Hubs escorting the "inside the ribbon" guests in
And there he is again...so handsome!
First kiss!
After the wedding we enjoyed cocktail hour. Here is me and the hubs...
After cocktail hour we enjoyed dinner, drinks and dancing. It was awesome to see how many people love Lauren and Wendy and are so happy for them! Holly caught the bouquet and Chris caught the garter...do I see wedding bells? ;)
On Sunday Chris, Holly and Lori flew out. After dropping them off at the airport Kevin and I headed up into the mountains to Estes Park. I had been there many years ago and was so excited to go back.
What an amazingly beautiful drive! The sun was shining and the wather was perfect. I am absolutely in awe of the mountains every time I see them, they are so gorgeous. We arrived in Estes Park early afternoon. We stopped at the Wapiti bar and grill and had some lunch. Then, we shopped a bit in town. If you've never been to Estes Park, the town is like a fairy tale. The Fall River runs through it and there are adorable little shops all along their downtown streets. The air is fresh and clean and the backdrop of the mountains makes it idyllic. We couldn't get enough. After awhile, we tore ourselves away and got back in the car, driving into Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove to the highest point in the park, a little over 12,000 feet, stopping all along the way to take pictures and enjoy the scenery. It was the perfect day for such a beautiful drive. After spending several hours in the park, we headed back down and got some pizza for dinner. We stopped at a local bar, played some pool and had a few cocktails, then headed to bed. We were zonked. We woke up bright and early the next morning because we had big plans. It was our one year wedding anniversary, and we were so excited. We both said that if it's true that the first year is the hardest, then we have nothing to worry about. We both can't believe it's been a year since our amazing, gorgeous, unforgettable wedding and we wanted to celebrate it by spending the day going on new adventures together.
We started the day off bright and early with straight romance...a ghost tour of the Stanley Hotel ;). Bright and early for good reason...I would probably never enter the Stanley at night, much less stay there. Ghosts...all I have to say. Kevin has the crazy idea that next time we go to Estes we will actually STAY there...as in him and I...as in ME. Hah! Doubtful! We spent the next 90 minutes listening about how the Shining (the book, not the movie) was born there, and about the ghosts that inhabit the hotel. Unfortunately, the movie the Shining was NOT filmed at the Stanley for a few reasons. First, the Stanley hotel is not out in the middle of nowhere like the movie made it appear. It's basically in town. Secondly, the producer didn't think that Estes got enough snow. So, the outside scenes were shot in Oregon, and the inside shots were filmed on a sound stage in London. Kevin loves that movie but already knew this piece of information so was not too disappointed. The tour, however, is very cool, and I would definitely recommend it if you're visiting Estes.
My hubs, the one who isn't afraid of ghosts like his wife is, at the Stanley.
After our hotel adventure we got a quick bite to eat then headed to the stables for HORSEBACK RIDING! I was so excited. I rode quite a bit when I was younger, but Kevin had never been on a horse. I couldn't wait for him to try it out and for me to get back in the saddle (literally). We had a 4 hour private guided tour through the lowlands of Rocky Mountain National Park (although in some pictures it doesn't appear that way because Kevin had quite a stubborn horse who made it a point to take his sweet time and refuse to cross any water for the first half of the trip, so another group gained on us). It was absolutely gorgeous. We went up parts of mountains, through fields and meadows, and through some forested areas. What amazing country. Kevin loved it as did I. My horse's name was Last Call and he was a cheeky little fellow. He decided on several occasions that we were going too slowly so he bit the guide horses butt. When Kevin's horse decided to actually get some get-up-and-go Last Call decided he was a bit too close and decided to give him a big ol' kick with both legs. As we were going downhill. As I almost face planted forward. Thanks, Last Call! ;) Luckily I've been on horses many times before and have learned to hold on when such things happen, so I didn't go rolling down the side of a mountain. That being said, we had an amazing time!
My cowboy!
After our ride we had to head back down toward the airport since we had an early Tuesday morning flight. I feel it's important to point out that we dined at Ruby Tuesday's and I had the most phenomenal steak with marinated zucchini and buttered and seasoned spaghetti squash. I have been dreaming of that squash ever since, so I think a trip to Ruby's is in order in the near future. We felt like we did so much in our short time in Estes and we both kept talking about how we both couldn't wait to go back. Seriously some of the most beautiful country you will ever see. We were extremely tired but extremely happy and thankful we were able to have such an amazing and adventurous anniversary. It was definitely unforgettable.
I promise I will post again soon!
xoxo
Dory
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