So what did I do the last three weeks in Colorado? Here's a snapshot of what went down:
- went on many early morning walks with friends, and sometimes solo, to absorb the gorgeous morning mountain views, mule deer and the elk rut,
- my last week included four days of road closure due to snow, so we had time to play Monopoly and Farkle, as well as take some short trips around the area (we had to report for work @ 8:30, but then had to wait every day until noon to receive the final work that there was no work today),
- from Tuesday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, the road, and therefore our store, was closed so I ventured to Bear Lake and made my first SNOWMAN of the year, made my first trip to Trader Joe's and Sierra Trading Post, sampled Cinnamon Bakery's delights, took lots of walks and enjoyed the wildlife, and enjoyed the snow-covered mountain views,
- when we returned to work Saturday afternoon, there was snow to be shoveled, but fantastic views on the way up; then returned to Estes Park earlier than normal to enjoy their Pumpkins and Pilsner Festival for a short time,
- on a day in late September when Trail Ridge Road experienced a snow closure, Nancy and I went leaf peeping along the Peak to Peak Highway when I received some more photography lessons, visited Brainard Lakes State Park and witnessed Bullwinkle closeup, and finished the glorious day with a meal at Boulder's Pasta Jay's,
- rose early for a trip to Bear Lake to take in a sunrise and some more leaf appreciation, went to Sprague Lake for a snow-covered mountain view, admired a bull elk with his harem at Moraine Park, enjoyed Autumn Gold Festival (brats, beer and bands-tribute to the Eagles) in Estes Park and checked out Horseshoe Park,
Trail of Aspens, created by FO Stanley to make Stanley Hotel 
- said goodbye to Tracy, a Taiwanese colleague,
- bid bon voyage to Emily (Utah), Robert (Romania), and three Polish co-workers, Natalia, Karol and Ola, who went on a road trip with Vroomhilda to some of our national parks and NYC before returning home,
- gave my farewells to two wonderful friends from Bulgaria, Valya & Mitko, who have spent the last two summers with me @ RMNP, and who were my chocolate chip cookie suppliers,
- gave safe travel goodbyes to three Taiwanese friends, George, Sam and Annie,
- relished in delicious pie where Shantal, our Jamaican cook, worked during her off hours,
- went with Mary to Denver for a day, visiting Mile High Monument (a mini replica of Mile High Stadium @ Sports Authority Field - Broncos), Molly Brown Museum (a Denver philanthropist and activist, as well as a "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" of Titanic fame), Wynkoop Brewing Company, Union Station, and the 16th Street Mall,
- our store had its official closing day on Sunday, October 9th, and we returned up to the mountaintop on Monday to board up the store for the winter. Once back in Estes Park, my belongings were stuffed into the car, tearing goodbyes were said, and I headed back to "home."
- Oh, I almost forgot - on Sunday, a bull moose made an elusive appearance on the tundra - what a rare sight!
- my trip home included some more national park service sites,
- and now I'm home, spending time with my daughters and their beaus, feasting with family and friends as I try to catch up with the Midwestern lifestyle, before I head back to Target, volunteering at school, and looking forward to holidays with all of you!
Hoping to acclimate back to Wisconsin life, and hoping to see many of you! Thanks for your prayers, notes, texts and phone calls while I was in Colorado!
Amy
