Monday, July 30, 2018

Gamecock Assimilation...um, "Orientation"

The second day of our crash course in How to Survive College began much like the first. Er...except for the fact that Derek and I each woke in our respective dorm rooms, rather than a hotel...and our commute therefore consisted of an early morning stroll to the first session, rather than a drive. It's true that the trek to Colonial Life Arena from the residence halls in which we were housed is not by any means a short one. Fortunately, though, one must pass directly by the campus bookstore, which contains a Starbucks outpost (because of COURSE it does). So there was creamy, iced, sweetened caffeine to help wake up the tired parental participant, and to make the trip altogether more enjoyable.

It was a good thing, too, because the information overload continued unabated once we assembled and got ourselves seated. First we heard from the financial folks, who discussed such scintillating topics as "how to pay your bill" (gulp...). Then we listened to someone from the food service, who talked about meal plan options (um....is there anything subtitled "Teenage Boy with Infinite Appetite"? Yeah, go ahead and sign us up for THAT one, please!). Next, a very enthusiastic lady described how one goes about placing their textbook order each semester. There were also presentations about parking (not applicable) and academic advising (blah blah blah).

But by far the most entertaining monologue was given by Sgt. Kenny Adams, of the USC police force. ("That's right, NOT a security guard. You see this badge? And this gun? I'm the real deal, ladies and gentlemen!") I'm telling you, this man was so freakin' hysterical, he could seriously have been a stand-up comedian. And he had some hi-lar-i-ous stories, as you can imagine--most of them about students doing stupid stuff...and how not to repeat those mistakes. But amidst the frequent laughter, I think I absorbed what he was trying to get across...most of which can be summed up as: "Students, we're here for you...but we're also watching you. So keep yourself out of trouble."

Some of the details he imparted were also a bit sobering, such as the fact that there are currently 80 officers assigned to USC (which seems like a huge amount...but their goal is to have 100!). In addition, there are 350 emergency call boxes, and...1,600 cameras! Holy Big Brother, Batman, that's a lotta surveillance! On the one hand, it makes you feel like the university is well-protected...but it's also grim to think about why all those measures are necessary! Yeah, Derek and I are going to have some pointed chats about "living in a city" before we turn him loose in Columbia on his own, that's for sure.

After all that...food for thought...it was time for some actual edibles, so Derek and I joined representatives from the Capstone program and convened for lunch. They reiterated a lot of what we, personally, had already heard during their Admitted Students Day spiel...but this time they were pretty darn excited to share the plans they had in place for Welcome to School Week. Such as a block party featuring live music, free munchies, games, and...apparently, inflatables. "I Googled to find the biggest slide I could possibly rent, and that's the one I got!" one particularly bubbly young woman gushed. (She was adorable...and also: Dude--that sounds super-fun. Can I come? Don't worry about it--I can be, like, a chaperone...or whatever...pretty please?)

Then we had some free time to attend the Resource Fair, where we picked up a necessary brochure related to on-campus banking....and more significantly, Derek registered himself for the Carolina Student Association. For his 4-year subscription fee (his first official collegiate purchase as an incoming Freshman, by the way), he was given yet another t-shirt and string bag, a fleecy blanket, and a chance to procure special "Beat So-and-So" spirit wear during football season, with a rotating selection of highlighted teams. (This year being Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and...some other opponent I've already forgotten, but I'm sure Derek could tell you. I mean, he was downright gleeful about it...)

Aaannd, finally, Derek and I split up for the afternoon's festivities--I mean "important business", which for him meant registering for classes, and for me a seminar called "Next Steps". Mine was full of advice on what to get done between now and Move-In Day, including both practical checklist items (buy supplies, make sure paperwork is filed, check insurance policies, and...what else am I missing? Oh yeah, hand over tuition money!) and more emotional, counseling-type subjects (preparing your child to succeed on their own, managing your feelings as they leave the nest, and a whole chapter that I think can be best summed up as "supporting...without smothering". Right...I'm gonna get right to work on that, I promise...but hey, once again I succeeded in not bursting into tears, and believe me, that's a big old WIN right there, my friends...)

At about 3:30, Derek had completed his course selection and was therefore released on his own recognizance, free to vamoose until late August when he returns for the Fall semester. He reported that he ended up with an unlucky 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday Pre-Calc, but that the rest of his schedule looks pretty favorable. Some core classes (Biology, English), a required Capstone section of South Carolina's unique University 101, and a wild-card elective in Sports Marketing (because really, what could possibly sound MORE like Derek, yeah? Good choice, son...)

With that, our Initiation to USC experience officially concluded. We piled into the car to travel a very quiet 200 or so miles back to Chapel Hill, both of us too weary and brain-dead to come up with sparkling conversation. But it's all good. We have a couple of weeks to process what we learned, talk about what we need to figure out, and make our final preparations. We've got this! Oh yeah...after about a week of sleep, maybe! I'll keep you posted...

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Gamecock Nation, Day 1

Having been back in NC, and hanging around the old homestead for all of...6 days, we began to feel a bit antsy, and needed to travel some more, so we packed our bags and hit the road again. Ha! Just kidding...at least about the restless part...Derek and I really did have someplace we needed to go though. This time we'd be heading to the 2-day Freshman Orientation at the University of South Carolina, to learn all the...stuff...we'd need to know as a future Gamecock...and Student Supporter.

Since it's a 200-ish mile drive, we opted to mosey southward on Sunday--which when you think about it, wasn't even really a choice, since the only other scenario had us getting out of bed at like 4 a.m., which is absolutely NEVER going to happen, if either of us have a say in the matter. Besides, Derek was supposed to take his Foreign Language Placement Test that afternoon, so we decided to do it the low-stress way: arrive Sunday, sleep at a nearby hotel, and be well-positioned for a (ridiculously) early start on Monday.

(Bonus: after several visits to campus, we FINALLY found the retail/restaurant hub that had previously eluded us. How did we manage this, you might ask? Why, with dedication, diligence, and exhaustive, time-consuming research, naturally! Okay, I'm just kidding...I literally Googled "Panera" and discovered that it's a half-mile away, down a street we just hadn't happened to explore yet. Now we know that I can, in fact, find something to eat in the area, when we drop off or pick up Derek--yay!)

We still had to set an alarm for Monday, in order to get up earlier than we prefer, but I forgave the Orientation Organizers when they demonstrated the foresight and consideration to place a Starbucks cart directly in front of the check-in line. (Also, the cheerful mobile-barista informed me that it was stocked only with Nitro...their highest-caffeine offering....which I would never normally drink. But I figured, "Eh, what the heck--I'm gonna need it, to be "in class" all day!")

We moved briskly through the very long queue and soon received our packets (neatly contained in a handy dandy reusable grocery bag, to help keep everything together), room assignments for our overnight stay in the dorms, and nametags (with a complimentary lanyard, because as I've learned, USC L-O-V-E-S to give away swag at every opportunity. Oh, yeah, we each got a very nice pen, too. Score!). Then we started our day o'walking with the 10-minute trek to the Colonial Life Arena, for our first few hours of programming. There we heard a little bit...about a lot of topics...including student life, housing, academic support, the university's history and traditions...and, in what was undoubtedly Derek's most anticipated and favorite part, the football culture (with critical information about how to get tickets...plus rousing renditions of cheers, the fight song, and the alma mater. I'm not sure he was fully awake before that point, but he certainly perked up and participated then!).

After all that...unbridled excitement and enthusiasm....we separated into student and parent contingents and broke for lunch, before reuniting to attend the Academic College presentations. For Derek, who hasn't yet declared a major, this meant he'll be under the wing of the College of Arts and Sciences, for now. Unfortunately, the lovely tropical climate of Columbia, SC decided to deliver its customary afternoon downpour at exactly the moment we were all leaving the arena to trudge back up the steep hill to the main part of campus. However, I'd taken the opportunity during the meal hiatus to return to my car anyway...and retrieve my umbrella, so we got...slightly damp, rather than soaked...like others had been, without the benefit of such protection. Anyway, in this session, we got to listen to the First Year Adviser who'll be helping Derek register for his Fall semester of courses tomorrow--so even though we were chilly and wet, this was definitely time well spent.

From there, we had what was described in the introduction as a "choose your own adventure" situation, where you were given the freedom to attend whatever lecture you so desired for two different time slots. Derek and I together sat in on one called Top 5 Ways To Not Fail Out!...which seemed like a no-brainer to me, in terms of the potential to gain applicable advice. Then Derek went off on his own for a tutorial on how to get involved in the USC community (yeah, like THAT'S going to be a problem...but whatever...), and I settled in for the Parents as Partners presentation, given by the Director of New Student Orientation.

And she gave a completely wonderful talk, chock full of valuable insight, delivered with abundant humor and lots of illustrative examples from her own experience working with students. We even had clickers provided us when we entered the auditorium, so we could participate in electronic polls, the results of which she would then show on the screen and discuss. Super cool. But I'm gonna stop for a minute and be honest, here...she focused on all of the changes that are coming, such as how our lives as parents...our kids themselves...and our relationships with them are going to be drastically altered...and that stuff really, finally hit home for me. As in, this whole "Derek leaving home and going off to college" thing...suddenly, powerfully, painfully got REAL. And I know it's supposed to happen this way, and it's a good next step (for all of us), and everything's going to be fine...but I think I have some serious "dealing with it" to do in the next few months. (Breathing....breathing...not working...to be continued...)

Eventually, dinner time rolled around. However, Derek had already ditched me (the nerve!) in favor of sitting and eating with a group of his peers that he'd apparently met in his last small group session, so I didn't linger at the buffet. Instead, I made one last hike down the big hill to a shop called Barefoot Campus Outfitter, where they'd advertised in our activity schedule that if you stopped by this evening, not only could you enjoy some wine and beer on the house, but they'd also gift you with a free USC Mom (or Dad) t-shirt. Well, alrighty, then--that sounds like a bargain I'd be foolish to refuse!

And now, emotionally wrung-out from the day's exertions and footsore from pounding the pavement for miles and miles, I'm going to sign off from my lovely dorm room, get some shut-eye, and mentally prepare for Day 2 of this college-palooza. 'Night, all!

Friday, July 20, 2018

Colorado Wrap-Up

We knew we'd had a good vacay when we woke up on our last day, at the hotel in Denver...and were too tired to contemplate doing much of anything exciting...or physically demanding, for that matter. That's about when I realized something crucial, in hindsight: I'd neglected to build any downtime into this expedition. I mean, the only time we spent in our sleeping quarters was to work in the "8 (or however many we could manage) hours of beauty rest". (Oops...over-ambitious-tour-guide mistake. On the other hand, we got a lot done...and we survived to tell the tale(s), so...no harm, no foul? Yeah, let's just go with that...)

We had originally hoped to visit Red Rocks, but decided to scrap that idea, based on the amount of time and energy it would take, as well as our need to catch a plane at a prescribed hour. (Curse those...rigid airline schedules!) Looking for something low-key and close by, we settled on the Denver Botanic Gardens, which I had penciled in as a possibility when researching the city before we came out west. The rest of the team--notably the male portion--was lukewarm to this notion, but willing to play along...although they insisted on calling it the (wait for it...) BRO-tanic Gardens. (Because they're all big honkin' goofballs, in case you had any doubt...)

So we motored on over to the complex after breakfast, prepared to walk around for a while and admire the impressive variety of flora. However, it was quickly blossoming (Ha! Sorry...) into another scorching, sunny day, so some of us (um, that would be "the menfolk") kind of shuffled along aimlessly, trying their best to remain in the shady spots, glancing disinterestedly at the pretty flowers every once in a while--but, let's be honest, mainly killing time. While others (yep, "yours truly") wound in and out of every pathway they could find, stopping frequently to photograph the lush greenery and colorful blooms...and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

When the guys'...patience for plants...was exhausted, we regrouped to head in the direction of the airport. In a unanimous family vote (a rare and precious thing, indeed) we had agreed to eat our final Colorado meal not only at Wahoo's Fish Tacos...but at the very same location in which we'd begun our adventure upon our arrival on Tuesday. It seemed like a fitting (and delicious!) end to a successful and rewarding trip, bringing things full-circle and tying them up with a neat little bow, if you will. (Side note: we also concurred that these quirky joints should TOTALLY make their way to the East Coast. Seriously, Taco Powers That Be, I'm telling you that we'd eat there All. The. Dang. Time. So on second thought...maybe not a super idea for Team WestEnders? We'd have to exercise some mega self-control, I'm just sayin'...)

And now, here's a collection of random thoughts regarding our travels:
--Riley commented (I think when we were on our way back home) about how it had seemed relatively easy, for once, to find food that suited all four of us during our western wanderings. And he was right--the vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options abounded in the Centennial State, which was soooo nice. Plus, it was stuff that pleased salad connoisseurs and carnivores alike, so nobody had to compromise...BONUS! (Thanks, Colorado!)

--I was chatting with someone at work in the days before I left, and he asked, with a sly grin,"So, are you going to stop by any dispensaries?" I was completely baffled by his question...but to stave off any social awkwardness, I laughed obligingly and pretended I understood. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about...that is, until we started spotting the ubiquitous marijuana emporiums...all the heck over the place. Granted, I live 2,000 miles away, so I think I can be forgiven for failing to remember (or care, for that matter) that weed had been legalized (both recreational AND medicinal! As the billboards all brightly proclaim). But suffice it to say that you can't swing the proverbial stick without hitting either a shop or an advertisement for this particular product. It was a bit bizarre to the Mid-Atlantic contingent, I'm gonna be honest...but also amusing...

...right up until the moment we realized it's probably the reason security in the Denver airport is the tightest we've ever experienced. As in, two out of four of us were flagged for extra examination of the suitcases. In all fairness, Husband forgot he was carrying my camera for me, since he somehow had more space in his bag than I did on the return jaunt, and the TSA officer just wanted to take it out and make sure it was kosher (or whatever...). But they also removed all of the snacks from my backpack--prepackaged granola bars and nuts and whatnot that we hadn't polished off during our hikes--which I'd insisted on schlepping home, rather than throwing away perfectly good munchies. It didn't occur to me until later that the officers have to be extra-careful...to ensure that devious people aren't trying to get away with sneaking pot out of Colorado to...wherever they're going, where possession of it might still be a crime. Wow. That was certainly a new one for us!

--Also entertaining, albeit in a veeerrrry different way, my trusty FitBit informed me that we pounded the pavement (and trails, of course) for over 110,000 steps in our 5 days away, averaging over 19,000 per day....and totaling a whopping 47 miles...and change. So yeah, I'd say we got our  money's worth in the whole Tour de Colorado! (And no wonder we were wiped out after all of that...frolicking!)

--Now, regarding climate: having lived all of their young lives in places where humid air is the norm, the boys expressed their extreme displeasure with the "dry heat". Derek summed it up thusly, "I feel like humidity protects you from the sun. Without it acting as a barrier, it just feels like my skin is...baking!" Derek and Riley both said that they'd take the waterlogged atmosphere over desert-like conditions, any day. In fact, it became a repeated smart-aleck comedy bit during our stint in Colorado, to describe everything as "dry", whether it was appropriate or not. For example, during the chilly, stormy day in Rocky Mountain National Park, when we all came to the conclusion independently that we could really go for a bowl of soup at the end of the hike, one of them quipped, "As long as it's...a dry soup!" Then they'd inevitably high-five each other and remark, in a totally self-satisfied tone, "That's never gonna get old!" (Oh, I beg to differ...siiighhhh....) 


And finally, an assessment from Derek, who mused one day, "You know, Denver is pushing to be one of my top 5 favorite cities." When asked to elaborate, he added, "Well, Seattle had too many...farmer's markets...and rainbow crosswalks...but I don't get that from Denver!" In case you don't speak fluent Derek Dialect, allow me to explain: in his opinion, Seattle gave off a strong artsy, funky, hippie vibe, which is not quite...in his wheelhouse, as they say. He continued, "I always try to imagine whether I could live here, if I had a job, and I feel like I'd be comfortable in Denver." 


Well, alrighty, then! To sum up, Colorado earned high praise from the newbies, and renewed appreciation from those of us returning after a long absence. We explored two new cities...we got our fill (and then some) of Mother Nature...we ate well...we saw a fun baseball game in a gorgeous stadium...and we made it triumphantly back home with our carry-on full of trail mix and protein bars! Now we can settle back down in North Carolina...with a new perspective on the overbearing humidity for the remainder of the Summer. I suspect it'll be a couple of months before any of us has a hankering to go climb a mountain...but we might need to find us some tacos much sooner than that! For now, peace out from the vagabond Team WestEnders!

Sunday, July 15, 2018

A 4th Day in the Centennial State: so much for "easy"!

For our last hurrah in the Boulder 'burbs before heading back to the bright lights/big city, we planned…why, a HIKE, of course! In my pre-vacation research, I’d found one that sounded right up our alley--promising gorgeous scenery, reachable via a pleasant walk. Even the name itself seemed innocuous: the Flatirons--how tough could that be? (Uh-oh...again with the foreshadowing…)

I’d also been told that it was a very popular destination, so we made our way there around 10:30 Thursday morning, armed with drinks, snacks, sunscreen...and the tattered remains of our waning energy. True to the advance billing, there were already quite a few folks at the park, so we found a space along the neighborhood street to legally leave our car, and meandered in to get the 4-1-1.

We opted to grab a map and also chat with a ranger, to help us decide which of the myriad trails would best suit us. After listening to our desired parameters--moderate difficulty and length, with substantial elevation gain and impressive landscape--she suggested a route that she thought would meet our needs. Now, keep in mind that this would be our third such outing in as many days, so ye olde legs (on all 4 members of Team WestEnders, the young and the...more mature) were feeling a tiny bit…weary….to be honest. And the first thing we had to do was tackle the only paved portion of the entire endeavor…unsheltered beneath the blazing sun…straight up a steep hill. Seriously, we were sweating and gasping for breath within the first 5 minutes of this supposedly light exercise day.

But next...it got even more challenging, as the path changed to dirt (fine), and then rocks (less okay). And I’m not talking about gravel that you just march right over; I mean hefty stones that you had to use to pull yourselves along as you climbed upward, where the suddenly less-clearly-marked trail was supposed to be. This was more than I, at least, had bargained for, and well outside my comfort zone. (What was that guide lady thinking, anyway? Or, wait--did I accidentally forget to tone down my “nature’s badass” vibe, and switch over to “adventurous…within reason”? Whoops…my mistake…)

So, much to Derek’s chagrin, the parentals issued an Executive Order, that we were changing the plan and taking an alternate…scenic stroll. Aaannnd, he shouldn’t have worried. As it turned out, the “Flatirons Loop” was anything BUT level, and featured multiple spots in which we had to carefully choose hand and footholds to scramble up and over piles of boulders (some bigger than me--which I know isn’t saying much, but trust me when I tell you that these suckers were huuuuge). Oh, and all the while, we were plowing ever upwards, toward the Royal Arch, which was our final destination…if we made it, that is.

So, it was…difficult? Yep. A little scary? Absolutely. But towards the end, when we weren’t certain how much further it was, or whether we should consider giving up, we passed folks coming the other way from the summit, who assured us that A) we were close, and B) it would be well worth it when we arrived. So, we took their word for it, and kept going…and you know what? They were totally right. The formation itself--like a giant stone keyhole, open to the brilliant blue sky--was awesome enough. But the sweeping view from the top, encompassing the valley and greater Boulder area, was utterly stunning.
Alrighty, then--after we sat for a while and marveled at the vista, all that was left to do was return to the beginning…2-1/2 miles back down the hill, over all of those delightful rockpiles again. Ay yi yi…nothing like an “easy recovery workout”, yeah? Well, yet again we’d earned our lunch in dramatic fashion, so we found a place called Modern Market--a sort of cross between the convenience of fast food and the formality of a sit-down restaurant--where they advertise natural, in-season, fresh ingredients. Yum! 

NOW we could check into our hotel and collapse for the rest of the evening, right? Hahahahaha--that’s adorable. Nope, we had baseball tickets for the 6:40 game between the Rockies and the Mariners, so there was just time to unload the car, clean up a little, and drive into Denver. Husband and I had been to Coors Field waaay back in the day, but the kids had never visited, so it was a new stadium for them to check off their list.

It was just as beautiful as we remembered--the building itself, but also the incomparable panorama presented by the team’s namesake peaks, visible throughout the night over the outfield wall. As the sun sets, the clouds turn pink and the mountains take on a distinctly purplish shade, making for a breathtaking spectacle. The actual contest on the diamond was a slugfest between two teams we don’t care too much about, but it was nice to SIT and appreciate the evening’s entertainment, with no further effort required on our part.

Altogether it was a lovely last full day in Colorado, that brought together several of Team WestEnders’ favorite things: quality time spent communing with the Great Outdoors, and a chance to enjoy America’s pastime. We’ve had some amazing experiences exploring this little corner of the West…and nobody fell off a cliff, so really, I’m calling this a big old W-I-N!

Friday, July 13, 2018

Colorado Day 3: Wambushed!*

(*Weather ambushed....yes, I just made that up, but I would argue in my defense that my brain is still soggy...details to follow...)

Team WestEnders woke up this morning with one goal in mind: achieving a one-day tourist extravaganza in Rocky Mountain National Park. So we diligently prepared by lathering on the sunscreen, packing layers of clothing in case of sudden temperature changes, and gathering mounds of snacks to fuel us on our planned 5-1/2-ish mile hike. I even checked the forecast ahead of time, and it promised a cool 74*, with a mixture of clouds and sun. (And if you've guessed that this sounds suspiciously like foreshadowing, you would be 100% correct! Stay tuned...)

Feeling fully ready, we set off on the one-hour journey from Boulder in high spirits, and under a clear sky. However...no sooner had we arrived than things took a rapid turn. What I mean by that is, in the time it took us to obtain maps and information at the Visitor's Center...it began to rain. It appeared to be a scattered weather pattern, though, since we could see blue sky in spots, so we remained optimistic that it would pass quickly. That is...until we headed up toward the peaks where we would be taking our nature walk...and the massive bolts of lightning commenced zig-zagging down from the heavens.

Then we reached the Park and Ride, where we'd been instructed to catch a shuttle to the trailhead. Here it wasn't actually precipitating...but we couldn't exactly be relieved about this, because we had the opportunity to witness crowds of shivering, sopping wet people getting off the bus, presumably after having spent time on the mountain. Oh...goody. That was probably the moment we realized we were in for a very different experience than the one we'd signed up for (in our heads, anyway).

Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, mountain, outdoor and natureI suppose we should be grateful that we had a bit of advance warning, at least...because we stepped out of the courtesy vehicle straight into an absolute downpour. We'd come to enjoy the Great Outdoors, though (damn it!)--and we're nothing if not stubborn--so we weren't going to let a little bit of water (or, you know, a DELUGE) stop us. The path was waiting...we steeled ourselves mentally to withstand the unpleasant conditions...and off we went. And you know what? We were rewarded for our grit and determination...and perseverance...with absolutely spectacular scenery. A thundering waterfall...spooky, mist-enshrouded peaks...lush green pines and brilliantly hued wildflowers--it was all utterly amazing.

The showers even ceased, TWICE--long enough for us to dry out, almost--before picking back up again as we neared our designated halfway point, and from there on out until the end, it just...soaked us. (About that SPF? Yeah, obviously unnecessary, and completely washed away in less than 5 minutes. The extra shirts? All hastily donned...and rapidly drenched through. The food was super-useful, though...yay?) But despite all the...challenges...I've gotta say that the physical discomfort took a back seat to the awe we all felt at the overwhelming beauty of our surroundings. For example, one highlight for the boys was when we had almost reached out ultimate destination--a serene lake nestled amid soaring craggy cliffs on three sides--and we came upon a mound of snow that still remained, at this height, in July. (Seriously, they were positively giddy with excitement--it was adorable.)
So, we had completed our mission...and by that point, we'd also started hearing ominous, rolling thunder to accompany the other... delightful meteorological circumstances. Aaannnd we pretty much resembled drowned rats, in the sense of "couldn't honestly get any freakin' wetter. Oh, and as a special bonus, I, personally, could no longer feel my fingers or toes, so that was an additional...situation. Suffice it to say, when we turned around to trek back to the trailhead, I practically RAN the 2+ miles, hoping to beat the very real threat of hypothermia. (Don't worry--I was fine...and I even regained sensation in all of my extremities...eventually...)

When all was said and done, the kids rated it as the #1 (Derek) or #2 (Riley) hike that Team WestEnders has EVER undertaken...so that's really all that counts. There was nothing left to do but crank up the heat in the car (not kidding), and wind our way down to the cute little community of Estes Park, at the foot of the mountains. Here we knew we could obtain two very important things: shelter from the elements, and some nice, hot lunch. And wouldn't you know, it WAS. NOT. RAINING. IN. TOWN. What the heck? That's just...insulting! But the delicious pizza (at Bob and Tony's) and the successful souvenir shopping soothed our ruffled feathers. That, and the fact that the warm rays helped us to finally lose the remaining dampness that had been lingering.

So thanks for the memories, Rocky Mountain National Park--when all was said and done, this story has already become an unforgettable part of WestEnders family lore!

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Day 2 in Colorado: Peaceful wide open spaces...and funkytown....

Team WestEnders' Wednesday Colorado wandering began with packing up the rental car and vacating Denver temporarily, in order to spend some quality time with her cousin Boulder to the northwest. But first we made a stop at a state park on the way, that Husband had chosen for its hiking opportunities, and the promise of spectacular scenery for our efforts. In order to get to El Dorado Canyon, you turn off the main road and wind your way through towering rocky cliffs, before pulling onto a dirt-and-gravel path that leads you at a crawling pace into the protected parkland. Then you get out of the vehicle...and your gaze is drawn irresistibly upwards...to the craggy outcroppings covered in scrubby green bushes, which soar over your head towards the impossibly blue sky.

Well, now--that's a pretty impressive start to a trek in the Great Outdoors, if I do say so myself. But there was much more...nature....to be experienced, since Husband intended to lead us on a nice little walk that would encompass an approximately 6-1/2 mile out-and-back excursion. It goes without saying that the first half of this would--as you'd expect--go almost entirely UPHILL, right? So we gathered our PowerAdes and water bottles and granola bars and bananas...and got down to it.

Sometimes picking our way carefully along the dusty path, other times scrambling over boulders of varying sizes, we plodded steadily upward. Despite the elevation (this trail began at around 5,700 feet above sea level, a startling number to these East Coast denizens) and temperature (Yeah, yeah, "it's a dry heat", but we were still working hard), we actually didn't have much trouble. Perhaps it helped that we had to stop fairly often to marvel at the sweeping vistas--waves of pine trees, distant peaks still displaying visible patches of snow, and multicolored rock formations--all under an azure sky now dotted with gigantic puffy white clouds. In short, it was like being surrounded by a 360-degree postcard...while breaking a healthy sweat!

When we'd finished...conquering the canyon, if you will...we patted ourselves on the back for successfully completing our mission...and agreed that we'd definitely earned a meal. The GPS helpfully informed us that we weren't too far from the condo we'd be renting for the next several nights, so we headed that way, and figured we'd devise a plan on the fly. When Husband (Googling busily while I handled the driving duties) stumbled upon an eatery that described itself as "like Farm Burger, in Buckhead"--which happens to be a spot we've now eaten at TWICE while touring Atlanta--we quickly decided it must be fate. And Larkburger proved to be just what the doctor ordered, for a post-exercise late lunch (beef for the carnivores, and portobella on a gluten-free bun for yours truly!).

Image may contain: sky, mountain, outdoor and nature

However, you know what they say: "no rest for... those who've just spent 4-hours tromping up and down a mini-mountain"...and whatnot. We'd arranged to meet friends (whom we hadn't seen since, oh, about 2003) in Boulder for dinner, so we had to make ourselves presentable and get ready to socialize. We found our amigos waiting for us outside a bookstore in the area called Pearl Street Mall, which is a pedestrian walkway filled with quirky shops, a mixture of chain and local restaurants...and other...unique features, such as street musicians galore, as well as the fairly risque, quite tasteless, and possibly technically illegal group of...um..."performance artists"?...doing lewd, embarrassing things in the middle of all the action. It was...super-interesting, that's for sure!

Overall, Boulder struck me as an adorable college town, buzzing with personality and energy to spare. We ended up at a little joint called the Yellow Deli for freshly made sandwiches and salads--which were yummy enough for my picky crew to ignore the overwhelmingly...hippie vibe...that the cafe exuded. Hey, we got to catch up with old pals, savor some tasty food...and sit down for a while--it's all good!

And now it's time for some REAL recovery, because tomorrow, we're tackling the biggie: Rocky Mountain National Park. Oh, and undertaking another hike (of a length to be negotiated between the spry youngsters and their older, more tired and sore parents later, depending on how well our legs have rebounded...by the morning). Memo to me: better take some ibuprofen before hitting the sack. 'Nite!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Welcome to the Wild, Wild West!

Despite the (very mild, and mostly on principle) protests of reluctant teenagers, Team WestEnders arose early this morning to set off on our big adventure of Summer 2018: Communing with Colorado. Unlike last year's odyssey, this travel itinerary was relatively smooth and simple, involving only one direct flight from NC to Denver. Although--due to Southwest's unhelpful boarding policy--none of us got to sit together on the plane, the 3 hours in the air passed quickly...and blessedly free of turbulence. (Bonus points for the fact that the time difference made it seem like the whole affair had taken only an hour! Whoo hoo, Mountain Time!)

And when we landed, it marked Husband's and my first return to the state in 20 years or so...and the boys' inaugural visit...so despite some fatigue, there was excitement about our impending explorations. That being said, the first order of business was locating some lunch, so we picked up our rental car and left the airport in search of sustenance. What we settled on was a little joint called Wahoo's Fish Tacos, which is apparently a chain, but it doesn't exist where we live, so it meets our minimum criteria of "local...enough". And you know what? The burritos, rice bowls, and kale/mango salad, served amid a surfer-chic decor, satisfied all hungry members of our gang. Win!

Then we could concentrate on the more important agenda--sightseeing in the city. First up: the Capital building and surrounding area, filled with serious-looking courthouses, halls of government, artsy fountains...and whatnot. We were suitably impressed by the grand marble structures (including the famous 13th step of the Capital, which proclaims itself to be exactly one mile above sea level)...even while we were melting in the blazing sun. That's right, you heard me correctly--the temperature in Denver today was a searing 96*. And although I kept trying to convince the children that it wasn't that bad, "because the humidity is so low", we were definitely...er...quite warm. Later my well-intentioned comment would come back to haunt me, however, since every time someone mentioned weather, in any context, either Derek or Riley would immediately interject, "Oh, it's okay--it's a DRY heat!" (Siiighhhhh....smart alecks....) 

Image may contain: outdoorAnyway, if you think about it, we've kind of...cross-trained for this situation, if you will; what I mean is, having learned to tolerate NC Summers, we just...shrugged it off and powered through. Next we checked out a spot I'd read about, called the 16th Street Mall. It's a 1-1/4 mile long pedestrian corridor lined with restaurants and stores, encouraging people to stroll, shop, eat, and hang out. So we spent some pleasant time doing all of those things, and enjoying the cosmopolitan Denver vibe.
But after several hours on our feet, we were ready to rest and regroup, so we headed to our hotel to figure out a dinner plan. We ended up returning to the same retail mecca where we'd found our delightful afternoon meal, to introduce the kids to Mongolian barbeque (HuHot), which they had shockingly never experienced. 

But there is one side note that I must share: you see, while driving along a fairly busy 4-lane highway, we had a THRILLING wildlife encounter. I'm talking about the prairie dogs that apparently just...live in the dirt-and-grassy swatches next to the interstate...and randomly pop up and scurry around as you drive by. They're absolutely adorable, no doubt, but also incredibly distracting to those of us unused to catching glimpses of them on a regular basis. Case in point: I had to remind Husband to pay attention to traffic several times until we were safely past them. I suppose if you live here permanently, they must become as uninteresting as squirrels are to us...but for now, we find them fascinating creatures. (Hey, Eyes. On. The. ROAD!)
So that's it for Day 1 in Denver. Tomorrow we travel a bit further north, where we will hike before rolling into Boulder, our second stop of the Colorado tour. Whatever time it might be, according to my body clock, it's time for bed. Peace out, Centennial State!

Monday, July 9, 2018

A Little Slice of...Something...

On the last day of our Maryland Summer Sojourn, Team WestEnders had the opportunity to  experience what I like to think of as a special peek into...the heart of America...or what have you. You see, our host family lives in a rural area--very similar to the one in which I grew up, actually, except that while neither spot features what you'd call a defined town center, per se, at least their 'burb has a string of retail stores and fast food. And, more to the point: an annual carnival, sponsored by, and benefiting, the local fire department.

Image may contain: 1 person, sky and outdoorNow, my kids have visited amusement parks before, but they've never been to an event quite like this. So with their super duper Ride-All-Night wristbands (purchased-in-advance, just for the occasion), they set off to explore the large grassy field...where the myriad of daredevil thrills presumably awaited. Meanwhile the adults parked themselves in folding camp chairs, in front of a stage that had been set up for the week's musical entertainment offerings.

We were there to enjoy a band known as The Reagan Years...whose repertoire ran to 80s covers, which of course invited the crowd to join in one big, rollicking sing-along to the familiar pop tunes. And they were gooood, too--even though the temperature when we arrived was still hovering in the sticky 90s, I give them a lot of credit for the energy and enthusiasm required to jump around in front of a melting--but appreciative--audience.

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoorAfter a while, I had to get up and stroll around, to see what this whole carny thing was all about. There were some lovely aromas wafting through the humid air--buttery popcorn, charcoal, tangy barbeque sauce, and sugary cotton candy being the primary my nose identified. And then there was the unique scenery provided by the brightly painted--if slightly battered--attractions that allowed intrepid youngsters to spin, plummet, or whirl to their hearts' content. Whilst wandering, I happened upon two such gentlemen, about to take a chance on the free-fall extravaganza (Yeah, don't they look utterly terrified? Except for this moment captured on film--um..."digitally"--I don't think they stopped chatting through the whole thing...)

Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature
And then, tucked in amongst the stuff you might expect, if you've ever been to one of these things (or, you know, seen one on TV, or something) there were the...elements...that I don't even claim to understand. For example, a booth that allowed you to toss a ring (so far, normal, right?)...and try to get it around the handle of a KNIFE (oh...kay...decidedly less typical)...in which case you got to take the cutlery with you. Oh, unless you were under 18, and then your parent had to come sign for it before you could carry it home. What. The. WHAT? Win a goldfish, sure--this I totally get. But the awarding of weapons as a lovely parting gift? Not so much.

But even less comprehensible to me was the display shown to the left. I mean, I don't even...I got nothin', folks. I admit that I was just a teensy bit afraid to tiptoe too close and try to figure it out. Yep, I thought this was clearly a situation where it would be best to just keep my distance, try to look innocent and natural as I loitered for a second, and nonchalantly take a quick photo....then hightail it back to my comfort zone...eating ice cream, and belting out Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, Madonna, and other beloved 80s icons along with my fellow nostalgia-hounds. As the sun set, blessedly cooling the atmosphere from "hellish" to merely "tropical", Team WestEnders chalked this one up to an enjoyable lesson in Americana that will live on in our collective memory...long after we return to our own little corner of the world...where it's not quite so easy to obtain either funnel cake (boo) or dangerous objects (whew!). Until next time, Maryland--adios!

Monday, July 2, 2018

Maryland, my (our) Maryland...

Team WestEnders lollygagged at home for 5 whole days after our mini-trip to Atlanta, so it must be time to take off again, right? Well, normally the answer is "no", but this year our Summer Pilgrimage to the Homeland--er, "Mary....land"--came hot on the heels of our southbound excursion. The timing might not have been our first choice, but you see, with all of the other stuff we have going on in the coming weeks and months, we had to squeeze it in when we could. And when you add in the absolutely required once-yearly Orioles game, which of course depends on the MLB schedule, it came down to a window of...RIGHT ABOUT NOW.

So we unpacked our suitcases briefly for the intervening week of work...and whatnot...and then loaded them right back up and headed north, this time. After the usual Interstate 85/95 highway hijinks, we arrived late Friday night and settled in with our hosts. But on Saturday it was up-and-at-'em, since we planned to spend the day with my family at my dad's house. Several pleasant hours passed with cousins bonding, adults chatting...and everyone filling up on a tasty, reasonably priced, quality lunch, because our next activity involved all of us piling into automobiles to trek to Baltimore for afternoon baseball (and hopefully avoiding paying the proverbial arm and a leg on ballpark fast food).

Now, to be honest, the Os have been...somewhat...um...let's go with "putrid" this season, so the stadium has been much emptier than it typically is, with fans understandably not being too keen to show up for such...emotional torture. However, it just so happened that the game that fit into our visit featured a coveted giveaway...of a loud, cheerful Hawaiian shirt...that many people apparently desired for their wardrobe. So this meant there were hordes of people on hand--which made for crowds to negotiate, but also folks in the seats to cheer for the action on the field, which is certainly more fun than sad silence, for sure!

But there was another factor that had a huge impact on the day: I'm talking about the oppressive HEAT. By the time we arrived in our seats, in the upper deck, all 13 of us were flushed, dripping, and already fanning ourselves with anything on hand that might coax a breeze out of the stagnant, steamy air. Fortunately, our section was mostly in the shade, but when the freakin' "Real Feel" is in triple digits, there's just no getting comfortable in the Great Outdoors. (I mean, when even the backs of your knees are sweaty? It's just icky, y'all...)

If the home team had just cooperated, and posted a win, all of the misery would instantly have been forgiven and forgotten by our loyal crew...but nooooo, they couldn't deliver that for us. We dejectedly watched a slim lead evaporate due to...bullpen incompetence...but at least we had our new orange apparel to lift our spirits as we shuffled out of Camden Yards at the end of 9 innings. (And those cool, refreshing showers we all enjoyed when we got back to our home base? P-R-I-C-E-L-E-S-S...)

The next day was designated for our previous hometown, so Derek could meet up with his Middle School buddies, and I could touch base with some of my friends as well. Our soccer fams weren't available this year due to their own vacations and other commitments, so Husband and Riley didn't have any reason to accompany us this time. Therefore, in a complex logistical arrangement, I borrowed a car from our hosts to pop over to Olney early and have a charming catch-up-coffee with an amiga, and Derek drove himself a bit later in his dad's vehicle.

Then I moved on to my next engagement, which was a delightful, chatty lunch with college girlfriends, and Derek returned to HQ to pick up the other two male members of Team WestEnders, so they could all travel together to my dad's house again, where we would be having dinner. (Are you keeping up? Good...stick with me...) After several hours of laughter and conversation, I bid my chicas farewell (until December--when hopefully it won't be so...Hades-like! And I'll probably complain about the cold...but whatever...) and navigated over to Lake Needwood, a park where I used to run sometimes when we lived in the area.

I know, I know, it sounds insane--and stupid--when it was literally 96* (and the damn Heat Index was again over 100), but my only defense is that I thought the tree-covered trail through the woods might make it bearable. Um...suffice it to say that it did NOT. But I didn't faint...or succumb to heatstroke...so there's that, I guess.

Finally, having survived my ill-conceived exercise adventure, I joined the rest of my gang for the aforementioned Bonus Time with my extended clan. And then, when the long, satisfying day of socializing was over, it was time for one last round of hugs and goodbyes, before returning to our "home-away-from-home" for more showers...soaking up the blessed air conditioning...and slumber. Tomorrow, we chill! (Well...if not meteorologically...at least metaphorically...)