reunited.

I review the story often when I tell people how I got started traveling. It was a text at around 3 am EST, saying something to the extent of, "Meg, I just applied to start traveling and you're coming with me".  Despite my "I don't think so"s and fears, I submitted my application "just to see what would happen". Now here we are, nearly celebrating a year of travel nursing.

It was all Ashley's fault. And I'm so grateful.

So when our assignment in Northern California ended about  3 months ago, Ashley went to Washington DC, and I came here to Colorado.  Then thhis Wednesday evening she arrived at the airport for a long overdue reunion of these two Pennyslvania-native traveling nurses.

After a relaxing Wednesday evening, I took Ashley into the Front Range Thursday, and we explored Mt Evans.

Unfortunately, they close the last 5 miles of road up to the summit the day after labor day, so I could only take Ashley as far as Summit Lake, right below the peak. It was chilly and too soon to make her hike at that elevation, so we just meandered around the lake and enjoyed the views.

There is a restaurant and gift shop at the base of Mt Evans called Echo Lake Lodge.  I've heard tales of the pie served at this place, and I took advantage of Ashley's presence as reason to stop for lunch and pie..

It was delicious.

Here's something kinda neat - with the NFL season opener of Steelers vs Broncos happening Sunday, there is a large amount of Steeler's fans arriving in Denver all weekend hoping to get a seat at the game.  A man commented on Ashley's Robert Morris hoodie, and we turned around to see his Primanti Bros T-shirt. He and his buddy were in town for the game.  Then when we were sitting in the restaurant for lunch, I looked out the window to see a guy with a Steelers hat and his friend with a Pitt polo shirt on getting into a vehicle.  We're invading the city, Denver, and I couldn't be more excited for Sunday!

..especially since Ashley's Uncle has some sweet hookups and got us amazing tickets!!!!!!!

So after Mt Evans and pie, we descended into Golden and explored Clear Creek.  This is the river I've jumped into before, with Erin & Jocelyn, but now that Spring is over the water is significantly lower and therefore unsafe to plunge into from high up rocks.

However is was plenty nice for hiking and scrambling at an "easier to breathe" altitude.

We got back to my apt in the early evening and it was obvious that the driving, elevation, hiking, and activities killed Ashley.

So she took a tiger snooze while I made dinner and read.  Then we headed to Lookout Mountain for a beer and the sunset. 

Today was a day for the mountains and ski towns. 

First was the famer's market in Dillon, CO, where we purchased delicious fruits and baked goods. 

Then we drove up to a little trail leading to Sapphire Point.

see that pretty bird on the rock?

It's so fun having her here! 

We went into Breckenridge to escape a small rain storm and did some shopping.

 Then our journey continued West into Vail for Oktoberfest. 

Vail is beautiful and so fancy!

It looks like I'll be returning to Vail in February!! Ashley's friend Carly, who visited us in Cali, invited me to join her family on their ski vacay! I don't have any idea where I'll be living or working in Feb, so that seemed like a good reason not to turn down that opportunity!

Well, evening came.  We drove back to Lakewood.  I made a fire.. and we crashed.