Catching Up: Part 2

On Friday, our friend, Andrea, from Ohio came to visit. (Some of you may know her dad, who was the other pastor at our wedding.) She flew into Denver, rented a car, and met us at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The Garden is so beautiful. I have already been there, but each time I am in awe of the rocks. We slowly walked around one area of the park, talking, taking pictures, watching the rock climbers, and enjoying the day. This is Andrea and I to the left in the picture perfect rock. (See the picture of Jeremy and me on the right column.)

We left Garden of the Gods and headed toward Pikes Peak. Andrea wanted to drive up the road, and we were good with that. Last time Jeremy and I were in Colorado, we hiked up to the summit and had a wild ride down (my dad was driving, if that let's anyone know what it was like!) It had been awhile since I had actually driven to the top. It costs money - $30 for a car of 3 people. BUT... when we went to pay, they said the road to the summit was only open to about 10,000 feet because of the snowstorm. Yes, snowstorm! We decided to do it anyway, and it was only half price. So, up, up, up we went. We arrived at the stopping point (where they check your brakes on the way down) and got out. It was snowing and blowing and COLD! (See picture top right.) We went into the small gift shop to look around before heading down. As we were getting back into our car, they got word that the road was opening up to above tree line, about 11-12,000 feet. We headed up to this point. It was even colder and more windy, but we did have a better view. (See view bottom right.) The picture on the left is of us at the highest we could go.

To conclude our day, we headed to the original Chipotle on Evans Street in Denver. (Jeremy and I had visited there about a month ago, but Andrea wanted to go. Jeremy really can't turn down the opportunity.) We went on a great day! The general manager happened to be working. In fact, he was the one serving us our food. When we sat down to eat, we commented to each other that he must love his job because he served with such gusto. Jeremy and Andrea went outside to take a picture while I went to the bathroom. When I came out, they were reentering the restaurant getting ready to start a tour of the first Chipotle! The general manager gave us the history of the building (a former ice cream parlor), took us to the kitchen and told us about the original 6 burner stove with oven that is no longer used (we also learned that the creator of Chipotle was a trained French chef who used braising - a French cooking technique - for the meat served), manuevered us back to the small walk-in cooler, and then led us downstairs through a trap door in the floor. Under the building is where they keep their dry goods and do their accounting. The ceilings were so low, Jeremy had to kneel on the floor during our talk about organic, free range meat that is used at Chipotle, and how Chipotle is no longer connected to McDonalds. In the end, we gained great knowledge, had to work to stop laughing, and received a free Chipotle t-shirt. (Front of the shirt on top left, Back on bottom left.)

*

We stayed with the Boulder MVS unit Friday - Sunday night. There are three guys residing in this large townhouse. Boulder is a beautiful location, surrounded by mountains, and very green. More about the weekend in Part 3...