weekends are for dreaming...

i'm cool with being in the moment, living a simple life in the city, biking to work, nice friends, small pleasures, small apartment, lots of work on the weekdays, but when Friday evening comes my head starts unwinding, my heart starts spinning and I'm ready to be free and to dream. I'm ready to hear from God, to romp in his meadows, to meet with him in the woods, to reflect with my journal in hand, my husband at my side, I'm ready to dance to some Bluegrass tunes and drink a fancy beer.

We had an amazing mini-vacation in Estes Park and Grand Lake this past weekend. It was just a normal weekend but it felt extraordinary. We got to visit our dear friend, Jessa, at the last minute and celebrate a birthday with a guy we know only from our visits to our favorite Bluegrass Bar, the Rock Inn an hour and a half from our home. I guess because I've been living "in the city" for a while I'm incredibly enthusiastic about small towns these days. We woke up slowly on Saturday morning to crisp mountain air and beautiful, dancing sunlight peaking through the evergreens. (photos to come)

Highlights of the weekend that followed:

- sipping Guatemalan coffee on the deck and reading/journaling

- admiring the golden leaves of the Aspen trees

- chocolate granola and yogurt

- getting to drive the entirety of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park

- running to get vistas in the rain/sleet at the top of the pass

- sharing a cup of steamy hot chocolate at the cafe overlooking the valley

- watching the wilderness transform into a winter wonderland after we decided not to go backpacking

- the quaint pizzeria where we warmed our bones

- the Grand Lake Fall Festival Music Show in the town square

- trying to blend in at the local cowboy/biker bar

- sleeping in the back of the Subaru in the middle of the town

- eating breakfast by the lake front

- eating a second breakfast at a local coffee shop

- talking about our dreams of life after this year and what it means to follow your calling while also learning to be content with a simple life

- walking along the boardwalk downtown

- sitting on the dock of the lake watching the fog lift

wow - wow - wow - i'm thankful for: adventure, surprises, prayer, weekends, my husband and dreaming

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