I love Colorado

Not only are there really nice people here, and great skiing, and awesome weather, and good schools, and lots of stuff to do outside year-round, but also because look at what I get to look at . . .

If you look really carefully, beyond the red barn is a view of Denver from the spot I found on Sunday.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite traditions was the Sunday drive. We'd all hop in the family station wagon and drive around town checking out Christmas lights in November/December, or looking at the beautiful yards in the spring and summer. Anytime of year, it was grand. The best part was that on the way home, my Dad would let me steer the car. I sounded a tad bit like Bill Murray (a.k.a. Bob) from the movie, "What About Bob," when I got home. I'd be bragging to all my friends, "yeah, I drive. I just drove home. I'm a driver. You don't believe me? You can ask my brother or my Dad."

Anyway, the beloved tradition is pretty much a solo act nowadays. Daren will come with me now and again, but my kids hate riding in the car. Oh, wait, they like it if they can watch a video, but I think you get my point. I give them the standard parent speech, "Look at the beautiful surroundings," etc. and then I pull out the "Well when we went on our family drives, we had to sit on vinyl seats in a station wagon with no seatbelts and four sweaty kids with no air-conditioning having only flowers and Christmas lights to look at," to which they promptly ask me what was so good about that? Good point.

I don't know. Other than I really like a good view and the smell of fresh air. Besides, what else is there to do on a Sunday afternoon with morning church?

I found this beautiful spot about 35 minutes west of us, in Golden. Loved it. Want to hike it soon when there isn't snow on the trail. Cause I'm all about the outdoors now. Or is it about tradition? Or maybe just being alone? Doesn't matter, it's all good. Beauty, eh?