Wisconsin

This past weekend Erin and I flew out to Milwaukee to celebrate one of her cousin's getting married.  As I had never been to Wisconsin before I was interested to see what it would be like.  So on Friday morning we got up early and got to the airport with no problems.  Arriving in Milwaukee in the afternoon we met up with Erin's parents who had rented a car.  Driving through the city on our way out to the city of Brown Deer where our hotel was provided a nice view of the city.  Much of the countryside reminded me of Georgia for some reason with its dense woods and lush green lawns.

At our hotel we met up with Erin's brother, Andrew, and his girlfriend, Sara.  Once we had all checked in we found that the hotel bar was serving martinis and decided to have a drink.  After finishing our drinks we thought it would be good if we went out in search of a walk to do before the rehearsal dinner.  While we were able to find some nice river-side roads near our hotel it soon began rain and walking was out of the question.  So we returned to the hotel bar for more to drink as we played cards and waited for dinner.  The dinner was a delicious Italian meal out at the brides' parent's house where I got to meet much of Erin's extended family.  They were all very nice and we had a great time.  We even had a chance to sit around the fire pit as the rain let up.

On Saturday we got up and had breakfast at a nearby Denny's before heading out to walk around a lake we had driven by the day before.  The area was very nice and green, but with the sky still overcast and the humidity starting to be felt more heavily, it seemed to be a very wet area.  After getting cleaned up we were off to the traditional Catholic wedding just outside of historic Cedarsburg.  Afterwards, as pictures were being taken we had time to wander around the charming city before the reception.  One of our most favorite places was a brew pub down on the river.  In a very relaxing setting Erin finally found a beer that she liked (Framboise) and we all enjoyed the chance to talk.  As the reception was being held at the hotel we were staying at we eventually made our way back there for the festivities.  The new couple looked very happy together as they danced and we got a chance to see a slide-show of pictures from their lives.

For Sunday we had talked about several potential things to do before we all left.  We started out with some geocaching, using a GPS to find a box hidden by others.  While it took us a while to find the cache it turned out to be in a very pretty nature preserve.  We were then on our way back to city to see the Andy Warhol exhibit in the Milwaukee Art Museum.  The museum had some very nice exhibits and some exciting architecture.  It includes an elaborate, wing-like brise soleil which shades the museum (pictured as its opening).

Before too long though it was time to catch our flight.  We said our goodbyes and made out way to the airport.  It was good visiting with all of Erin's relatives and getting to see Wisconsin.  I certainly have a higher opinion of the area now that I've had a chance to see it first-hand.

Kart Racing, IMAX, and Pottery Painting

This past weekend was an exciting one for Erin and I as we did a diversity of activities.  Friday, after Erin got off work, we went over to the Union for happy hour - which is turning out to be a low-cost ritual for our Friday afternoons.  That evening we played a board game while eating apple pie and drinking port.  It was a very enjoyable experience that Erin had set up and shared with me.

On Saturday we went to celebrate our friend Andres' birthday out at the Centennial Track.  There we all got suited up with helmets, gloves, and overalls before climbing into karts for some racing around the .8 mile track.  While we only got to race for about 10 minutes it was fun.  After the race we hung out a bit with Andres and the rest of his friends before going over to Erin's parent's house for dinner.

Erin's sister Amy was in town preparing to defend her thesis on Monday, so we went to see her and visit with Erin's parents.  They took us all out to this authentic Mexican restaurant called "El Paraiso" in North-West Denver.  Unlike the typical tacos and burritos this place had a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes.  The food turned out to be good and with generous portions.  There was also a mariachi band playing adding to the atmosphere.

More fun came later in the weekend as Erin and I went downtown to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to watch an IMAX show.  Being located in city park, the museum's location gave us a chance to have a nice walk around the park before our show started.  We watched a show called "Wild Ocean" about an aquatic feeding frenzy that happens off the coast of South Africa each year.  It was amazing being immersed in the underwater action the way that an IMAX movie provides.

After the show we went to Ceramics in the City where we got to pick out a piece of pottery to paint.  After a long deliberation we settled on salt and pepper shakers along with a common theme of nature.  We both had a really good time as we painted our designs on our shakers.  We finally finished and gave the shakers to the attendant to be glazed and fired.  We're looking forward to seeing how they turn out next week.

Day to Day Stuff

Erin and I often joke about how the main reason for this blog is so that when we're old and our memory goes it will be the only way for us to remember what happened.  The thing is, sometimes I even forget to write and then can't remember what we did even two weeks ago.  So here's my best stab at what we've been up to (mainly gathered from what's still on my calendar):

The last week of August found me in the doctor's office for a regular checkup with everything checking out well.  Later in the week Erin and I met with an accountant to see if we needed his help with taxes now that we're married.  While he was very informative (and talkative) I don't think we actually make enough money right now to need his services (or afford them).  That weekend Erin and I had a nice day downtown as we went to the Tattered Cover and enjoyed a glass of wine in the Highlands.  That weekend also gave us an opportunity to get out on the motorcycle and ride around the countryside.

Last weekend Erin and her girlfriends went up to Vail for a jazz festival.  She really enjoyed seeing the Black Eyed Peas and being with her friends.  While I spent most of that time at home I went out several nights with my friends as well.  It was fun to spend time with our friends and on Sunday when Erin got back it was nice to be back together.

For this past week I've been dog sitting for my aunt and uncle.  They have a very nice dog that has a lot of energy and goes crazy sometimes around other dogs.  It's been good going up to see her each day and take her out for walks.  Since I only see her in the afternoons it has given Erin and I the opportunity to go out each night this weekend.  On Saturday we went out to watch a movie ("The Proposal") and have dinner with our friend's Brian and Cassie.  This night we went over to Erin's parents for a wonderful Lemon Chicken Picatta dinner.

So that's the last few weeks in a nutshell.  Hopefully I'll remember to keep up with the blog so it doesn't go so long.

Botanical Gardens Concert

Last weekend was busy as Erin and I were seeing people every night.  On Friday night we met a colleague of mine from a previous job.  He treated us to dinner at a local Mexican food place since he lives just a few miles south of us and wanted to congratulate us for getting married.  I really enjoyed the food and it was nice to catch up.  I think it will be nice to go down to Monument and see him and his girlfriend for dinner again when we get the chance.

On Saturday we had planned to have our friends Brian, Cassie, and Neil down for dinner as they have had us over for dinner so many times.  It took some time to prepare all the food and make sure that the place was all cleaned up, but we all had a great time.  I hope we can do it again in a month or two and maybe even make a habit out of it.  I think I was finally getting the hang of the Balderdash game we were playing and want to have another shot at it.

On Sunday, Erin's parents treated us to a concert at Denver's Botanical Garden.  All summer long the Garden has had bands playing on weekend evenings while people come out to picnic and listen.  They've also had an exhibit theme of dinosaurs throughout the Garden.  For our picnic/concert we listened to Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos.  While it was very crowded as people tried to find good spots on the lawn around the arena, we were able to find a level spot that wasn't too far away.  It was very fun to have our picnic, talk, and listen to the music under the warm sunset sky.  In between sets we even got a chance to roam the garden and admire the plants and exhibits.

All in all it was a very social weekend.  It was a fun time, but now this weekend we're taking a much more relaxed pace.  I'm sure it won't be long though when we're out eating with someone else.

Boulder Wedding

Erin and I went to our first wedding since being married this past weekend.  It was for Erin's friend Alison.  It was interesting to attend a wedding together that wasn't our own.  On our way up to the rehearsal dinner in Boulder we were able to play with our new phones (okay, I played - she drove).  We then had appetizers and a nice dinner at the Boulder Brewing Company.  While we didn't know too many people there we got to know a lot of them after a while.  Still, we were feeling a little bit on our own as the patio grew dark and Erin worried about how she would read the toast she had prepared.  I suggested that she could use one of the candles at our table.

It was then that the funniest thing of the entire weekend happened.  Realizing that the candle wouldn't provide enough light, Erin placed it back down on the table and tried to tilt the paper to catch what little light was outside to see.  After a moment or two she asked, "Do you smell something burning?"  As she lifted her head we realized that it was, in fact, her hair that was burning.  She quickly patted it out and you couldn't see any hair on fire, but the damage was done.  What's more, the stench was terrible.  We looked at each other and instantly started laughing.

The rest of the evening went by without incident.  After a great deal of laughing between the two of us and a trip to the bathroom for Erin to wash her hair, the night finished without further incident.  There were several nice (and some funny) things said about the couple before Erin and I made our way back to our hotel for a dip in the jacuzzi.  The next day we met up with the group and all got on shuttles up to Sunrise Amphitheater above Boulder.  The views were beautiful with several hawks circling the sky.  The ceremony was similarly beautiful and showed the unique creativity of Alison, Matt, and their friends and family.

The reception followed back down in Boulder at The Rembrandt Yard, an art studio on 13th street.  It was a nice place for the reception with several pieces of art decorating the walls.  After a delicious dinner Erin and I drove back down to Castle Rock.  Another busy weekend.

Settling in, Jury Duty, and Hiking La Plata

Erin and I have been back from our honeymoon about two weeks now.  That gave us some time to enjoy summer back in Denver before Erin started back at teaching.  We got a chance to have a big party for Erin's sister Amy who was moving with her husband to Baltimore as he pursues medical school and she works at a new government job.  We also got to see our friends Brian and Cassie for dinner early last week and go hiking with some of Erin's fellow teachers up at Evergreen.

One of our most interesting post-honeymoon summer experience was riding the motorcycle up to the Buck Snort Saloon in the mountains.  The road I chose to get there turned out to be pretty rough, but it was exciting.  As we turned off the main road up a dirt road to the address we wondered if we had the right directions.  Then up this narrow canyon we came to the saloon that had been in business for over a century (and it showed).  The food was good and we enjoyed the adventure of finding it.

Now that Erin's back teaching we've started to settle into a rhythm as I stay home to work and take of house chores.  It has provided me with a great deal of flexibility I found as I was called in for jury duty on Monday.  Fortunately I wasn't picked to sit on the jury but it was interesting to see the process.  I'm glad I wasn't picked since I had planned to go hiking with my uncle on Tuesday.  Erin and I enjoyed a delicious meal with my aunt Janet and uncle Reynold at their place in Littleton where I stayed that night to get up early for the hike.

Reynold and I got up around 3:30 AM yesterday to go up towards Leadville.  We got to the trail-head for La Plata ("silver" in Spanish), Colorado's fifth tallest mountain at around 14,361 feet.  It took us about 4 hours to get to the summit which was clear and sunny.  After a brief pause we made our way back down and back home.  With 4,500' of gain and 9.5 miles round trip it was a pretty exhausting hike.  It was really beautiful, but now I remember why I only do about one 14'er a year.  So today I'm back in front of the computer working and recuperating.

Miles of Driving to Make it Home

Well, Erin and I are finally back home.  After leaving Lake Tahoe we headed East across Nevada.  As the end of our honeymoon approached we had miles of driving ahead of us...miles of incredibly boring driving ahead of us.  On Saturday we had tried to leave early enough to make it to our next destination before nightfall.  But as the sun began to set on Ruby Mountain we were still far from our destination.  Fortunately we found a place to eat dinner so we wouldn't have to cook in the dark.  While the place was very small-town (with a taxidermy diorama the size of a small room) the food was excellent and we felt ready to find our camp in the dark.  With a bit more driving we finally found our campsite and got setup.

The next morning we were up and on the road early as we had one of the longest drives of our trips.  For eight hours or so we made our way through Utah and up into Wyoming until we got to Flaming Gorge.  Much of our day was spent on the road.  After driving so long we were disappointed to find a sparsely facilitated campground.  Still, we were able to make the most of it, cook some dinner, and even enjoy some sparklers we had brought along.  While the lightning from passing storms was exciting the light it cast on the tent was slightly eerie.


When we got up the next morning we were not looking forward to more time on the road, but we knew we would be home that night.  Not having the energy to fix breakfast we packed up and headed for a nearby lodge.  There we found a beautiful view of a lake and attractive cabins.  While the meal was only average we were treated to a nice view of several hummingbirds on the lodge's deck.  A little driving brought us back to the Flaming Gorge Dam and the last site of our trip.  From there it was another long drive back to Colorado.

It's been a wonderful trip and a great honeymoon.  Erin and I have learned more about ourselves and each other than we knew before.  The difficulties of camping have brought a greater appreciation for some of the basic things in our lives like electricity and the internet.  While we saw many sites and got to experience many exciting activities there are several places we wished we could have spent more time at.  Erin described it best as a "wine tasting" of travel.  We got to taste a little bit of many different places and while some were good and some were bad, we now know what we would like to drink more deeply and where we want to re-visit.  Through all the good and the bad, the fun and the difficult, I've become more certain of the exceptional partner I have in Erin and I'm looking forward to many more adventures with her.