I spent from Aug 6-10 at the YMCA Rocky Mountain Estes Park with the Dana family. Here’s some things I want to remember:

That lightning in the mountains as I deplaned.

The “crazy old” shuttle driver who didn’t slow down on those curves. He’d lived in the area for 44 years

Arriving very late at night and not seeing a thing, only to awake to purple mountain majesties

That first breakfast sitting around the table with my Dana family, planning our days (MaryAnn and Robert getting ready for a day-long hike)

That moment Caroline didn’t have her phone and shot an arrow through a bullseye on the archery range

That total look of exhaustion on Margaret’s face as on the very last hour of the very last day she’d climbed every (almost) wall at the rock climbing place

Jamesy’s decision to only visit the jewelry making area of the craft place so he could make his mom a gift and then one for his sister

Robert ordering that purple cocktail (Airwolf) and then drinking it at Bird and Jim

MaryAnn ordering that “drunken fruit” in a cocktail (No Way Rose)…always a running coach making the best nutritious choices…tee hee

The hummingbird that flew about a foot away from me, four or five times that early morning on the porch

Early, wee early, moments on the porch

Looking skyward, all of us, to see a glimpse of the Internation Space Station

The lady who asked me if I was with the group from Houston, and I, puzzled, ask why she asked, when she pointed out that I was wearing my Astros cap. Then we bragged on Houston to each other and both admitted we were also huge Spurs fans. I think we could fight each other for Pop’s affection also.

Noah, our archery coach, from Missouri, who is going to go work in Tulsa. I shared great memories of Katie and Dan living there and how everything in the city is “just 20 minutes away from everything else” per Katie

Robert using his major smart skills and sorting the puzzle pieces into shape look alikes so we could finish Johnny Depp and find that he’s best at (aka hunky) being a Pirate of the Caribbean

Jamesy’s mood changes from meh to yeah when offered the alternative of a photo scavenger hunt for the hike, with the added incentive of a prize at the end if all photos were “found” (this was the photo he took for “something I always want to remember”

The sun behind the clouds casting awesome shadows on the mountains

Deer in the yard by our Legacy cabin

Flowers in pots that actually have fragrance

5 days in August without sweating or needing a fan

Lanyards, mosaic candle holder, tie dye rainbow scarf, Morse code bracelet

Discovering the hiking trail with the 3 Amigos that kept us safely off the street and took us from our cabin to the Ymca buildings

Caroline blowing the fibers off the biggest dandelion I had ever seen

Having Margaret as a roomie

Yummy multi variety rice, accompanying the dinner the kids made with marinated tofu… yes 2 of the 3 are dedicated vegetarians

Sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry’s 6 ways, with plastic spoons and giggles

A text at the end from Mary Ann: It was sooooo special to have you with us! We’re always so grateful when you spend precious vacation time since you can see us anytime.