greetings from Vail, CO.

Hey folks. Jhani here.

So. Friday afternoon, Emily and I left Winnetka to head for Estes Park, CO. We made a bed in the back of my jeep in case we decided to pull over in a cornfield in Nebraska at 2 a.m., but lo and behold, we decided to give up such an experience and drive all the way to Estes Park. Emily took first shift and kicked ass, driving from about 2 in the afternoon until about 10.45 at night. I tried to nap before then so I could handle my shift but uh, no luck. So, after downing two red bulls, I hopped in the driver's seat and continued on down the road. I was disappointed that I had to drive in the dark since Nebraska consists of beautiful buildings and scenery...NOT. My mom warned me that Nebraska was full of a whole lot of nothing but I figured I could make do and find some beauty in the prairielands. Boy, was that a challenge. Especially in the pitch black. I was able to drive until about 4.30 a.m. while Emily napped on and off. When she took over, I passed out hardcore for a solid 3 hours.

When I awoke, Emily had driven us into Colorado and already, the land looked different - shimmering and green and just more exciting than anything we had been driving in for the previous twelve hours. As we got closer to Estes Park, we pulled over for coffee. Somewhere between our lovely conversation with the woman at the coffee stand and arriving at Emily's stunning house, I fell in love with Colorado all over again. Years ago, I used to take RV trips from Texas to Colorado with my uncle and cousins and spent time in Breckinridge, Vail, Aspen, and Durango. I remember telling myself that Colorado was my favorite state other than California and that I would live here someday. Over the years I drifted from this notion but now, I feel that way all over again.

Anyway, anyone who has been to Em's house in EP knows how AMAZING it is! Big windows, lots of space, a hot tub, views of the Rockies, and a general sense of peace and serenity. Saturday morning, after we rolled in around 7.30 a.m., Em and I immediately hit the couch and tried to sleep. With little luck, we called some verrrrrry special people to come visit us; namely, Mike Fox, Monique, Robin, and Kate (Robbie's dad was in town and he couldn't make it). They all arrived in the late afternoon and the rest of the night consisted of magic: grilling dinner, playing drinking games, and just catching up on life in general. Isn't it crazy how so much time can pass by since you see people, but it takes mere seconds to feel as if no time had lapsed at all? So it was with this crew. Realizations such as this help to feel less melancholy about all the people who left Burlington a year ago, and all the people who I left behind last week.

Sunday, we woke up, ate breakfast and drank mimosas in the hot tub (which had not been warm enough the night before). We relaxed on the porch and sunbathed before heading into town to check out a cute little jazzfest/artwalk. Later, the crew left and Emily and I took a night off, plopped on the couch and fell asleep early watching TV.

Yesterday, we cleaned up the house, did a load of laundry and headed off to Boulder, a town I had never visited before. It was fun walking around and realizing that Boulder was/is to Sarah and Dylan what Burlington is for me. While bigger and way more populated, the ambiance is the same (Pearl St. in Boulder is basically the equivalent of Church St. in Burlington). Em and I shopped around for a few hours and then headed to Mike and Robbie's apartment where a casual night of grilling, beer, and Boggle ensued. (Highlight of the night: having the sprinklers go on right as we finished eating. Imagine: six twenty-somethings running in circles in order to follow the sprinklers to and from the picnic table to pick up our belongings in shifts.)

Now we are in Vail at the lovely abode of Monique and Hillary (the latter of whom is unfortunately on a trip back east. Traitor.). Mo decided to have a party tonight so we can meet her friends (and boyfriend! ooh la la) and also so that Emily could simultaneously hang out with her best friend Doug, from high school. Should be fun. Tomorrow Em and Doug will go snowboarding (although whether that makes sense to me or not considering the battle between 80 degree temps and rain is questionable) and Monique and I will hopefully do something fun and active (mud hike? off-roading?).

Vegas on Thursday. Emily's dad's friend is putting us up in a hotel room that he owns near the strip. Life is so hard, isn't it? :) No but seriously, this trip has definitely had me counting my blessings every minute. And it ain't over yet!