When one thinks of Colorado…it’s usually the beautiful and rugged mountain ranges that come to mind. But this visit took me to a tiny agricultural town of Rocky Ford where farmers grow and ship amazing cantaloupes and watermelons across the nation. And I mean amazing…the most delicious… If you’re ever in the grocery store and you see “Rocky Ford melons” for sale…trust me…it will be the best purchase ever!
Anyway, it’s been years since my last visit to see family and this time there were several “firsts” so to speak…
Starting with the introduction of marijuana dispensaries…while road signs usually advertise melons for sale (in season of course) there’s the new addition of signs along the highway…
…or buildings with the big green X to bring attention to medical marijuana dispensaries…
And of course we can’t forget the reggae king of cannabis…Bob Marley…whose presence is on billboards and business signage throughout…like this one at The Spot dispensary in Pueblo…
So all of that was fun…and then there was the first visit to The Garden of the Gods…or God’s Country as I’ve affectionately named it…a national natural landmark located in Colorado Springs…offering magnificent red rock formations…kinda like our Sedona here in Arizona…but on a much smaller scale.
But the icing on the cake for “firsts?” Meeting a sister in my blogging world that I’ve known for several years…whom I’ve adored and so wanted to connect with…and this trip…it happened! I mean really…for you bloggers…how many times does this really happen? This is the third experience for me…once in the Netherlands…and another in NYC when a blogger friend from Germany/Switzerland/France came to visit. It’s just way cool to finally meet that person after years of reading and appreciating their written word and their art!
Not only did I get to experience another adorable historical spot in Colorado…Manitou Springs…
but to meet and spend time with this amazing soul was just icing on the cake!
So many firsts! So fun! Oh…and I must mention…she has been part of my inspiration to accept the au naturel of going gray! Such freedom! Thank you Susan!
So here we are…and I still have so much to share with you…Myanmar…my upcoming trip to Nicaragua in a few weeks…my first submission for a chance at a photography portfolio review in NYC…so much! So stay tuned!
I LOVE Colorado, Robin, and visited many years in my past life because of my MIL and the Bear Trap Ranch we visited almost every year when Bill and I were in student ministry. I wish I could go back to all those places again and see them with my new eyes. It would all seem so different, I know.
You KNOW I am thrilled beyond end about your meet-up with Susan. One day we’ll all have to get together and have a Wild Woman party. That will be the day. In the meantime, yay for going au naturel. BRAVA.
Thanks my dear!! Yes…one day…a WWP! Yippee!!!
It was a splendid and special afternoon, no doubt about it … and I love that we are now hair twins, you will not regret it, trust me!
Thanks Susan!! And can you believe the weather that we had! Awesome!! xoxo
What a great, fun, trip! So happy you met up with your blogger friend, Susan. How fun!!! I love your natural hair too! I’ve been thinking about letting mine go gray for a long time now…Thanks for sharing. XoXo
Oh you would love her VK! Thank you my dear! xo
Colorado is a special place, and you both inspire me to at least think about Au Naturel; you both pull it off so wonderfully!
Ahh…thank you!!
I love the photo of you and Susan!!! I have always loved Susan’s hair (I actually call it silver) and she was my inspiration to let my hair go natural as well. Yes, such freedom!
Looks like she’s inspiring a lot of us!! Thanks Carola…now I understand the connection with your hair! Beautiful!
So funny that you decided to let nature take its natural ( gray) way! I am doing the same – great minds etc! Love Ginnies idea about a wild women party sometime in the future- oh the stories we could tell!
Thank you so much for taking us along on the trip and I honestly believe that marijuana is great for medical use.
Wonderful to see your happy face !
Yeah!!! Love that you’re doing the same! Isn’t it amazing the difference in texture?! Thank you!
Ah yes I’m bringing on the silver too, I always hated those trips to the hair salon….so 10 years later I never go any more! So fabulous to see you two together, and in such amazing surroundings. Come on Robin when is this Wild Woman meet up??!!!
Susan’s part of the country is amazing…just my kind of place…hippy…bohemian…love! LOL Catherine! Yes, we do need to plan!! Thanks for your visit!
Robin, I love my travels with you! You take me on adventures and give me a sense of the larger world. I am not discontented to stay here at home in Virgina, but I do love to soar with you! Beautiful photos that tell the stories of your adventures, but of course, the photo of you and Susan is my very favorite. Any chance you might share the link to Susan’s blog? I’d love to visit her, too.
And . . . most important of all . . . your beautiful silver hair. I’ve been wanting to stop the never-ending cycle of hair color for a long while. When my son graduates from high school in June, this will be my gift to myself, to let my hair go natural. I’ve been coloring it so people won’t mistake me for his grandmother (at 55 with a 17 year old this can happen). I’m going to take your photo to my hairdresser as an example of how I’d love to wear my hair. You and Susan both look so comfortable in your own skin – and lovely in every way.
And I’m more than thrilled that you are tagging along! Thank you Donna…so much! Sorry, I should’ve made mention of the links to blogs on these amazing women so here you go! Susan can be found http://windrockstudio.blogspot.com and Karen (France/Switzerland/Germany) can be found at http://chai-and-chardonnay.blogspot.com and Ginnie/Astrid (Netherlands) can be found at http://ginniehart.shutterchance.com and http://picturit.shutterchance.com Enjoy them all! And Yeah for thinking about going “natural!” You will love it! xo
Yes! Yes! Wild Woman meet up! Lucky you to meet up with Susan! I went camping in Colorado 2 or 3 years ago. I’d love to do it again but if we ever do a get together somewhere, I’ll find a way to make it.
Oh just wouldn’t that be a blast! So fortunate to be able to spend the afternoon with her…the atmosphere of her little town and the amazing warm weather…wow…just Fantastic!! Thanks so much for your visit!
((((Ohhhhh, big group hug)))))
I love that you got to hug Susan’s neck and enjoy some real facetime with her:)
Thanks for sharing the gorgeousness you find along the way.
Such a happy traveler, you:)
-Jennifer
Yes Jennifer…big group hug! Love it! Thank you!!
Robin so many firsts indeed especially the meeting with Susan….and oh the beauty there. I get to come back to CO in October for a wedding and I plan to visit for a while so i can see all I have still missed…..it is God’s Country, absolutely. And so much more coming up for you! The excitement is buzzing all around us here with you!
Colorado in October should be fabulous! Lucky you! Thanks so much for your visit…and I know that all the gals who follow from V&V share in our excitement!
What a treat to finally meet and what a wonderful picture of the two of you….
I never get why people want to have their hear coloured…. but then I don’t do it because I am afraid I am bold soon. Wonderful silver or grey is a blessing.
I love your hair this way, it fits you very well 🙂
Wonderful pictures again. What a joy this trip must have been.
Love and hugs.
Such a treat Astrid! Just like it was for me when I met you and Ginnie!! Thanks so much for your comments and visits!
So beautiful, and I love your picture!
Wow, Robin! Naturally all your images are fantastic, but I LOVE the photo of you and Susan:)
Your blog is an travel… i fly with you!