Escalator Phobia

If you've ever been to the mall with me, or anywhere with an escalator, you'll probably recall that stepping onto a "down" escalator is a bit like jumping into a swinging jumprope for me. I need to watch several steps roll by, hover my foot above, and finally place it down and take that step.

My sister and I did some touring around Minneapolis this week, and the Guthrie Theater is a place with a very unique escalator. First to fourth floor on one long stretch.

That's me, heading up the steep, eternal stairway, feeling a bit on the jittery side. I can't believe people step onto this thing like it's normal.

(In this next photo, there is a mirror in front of the top of the escalator)

And here's Pam's pic of the entry going down; going near that wasn't anything I could bring myself to do. I'm obviously kidding when I watch Amazing Race and say, "If I had to jump off that cliff, I could do it!" Riiight...

Trail Ridge Road in the Fall

This prime fall weekend for viewing colors, we were apparently not alone in choosing to head into the mountains...

These two in yellow matched the scenery all day long

Every time we encountered a new peek of brighter color, we pit stopped to grab a closer look. And as we climbed to higher elevations, it got better and better.

We found a great place to have lunch, wishing our own Cy was along with us

My favorite shot of the day

These memories will be held dear

Okay, so how is it that I have lived here over 25 years, but I have never before driven over Trail Ridge Road? I'm pretty sure I would have remembered these steep drop offs. Yikes! 

Way steeper than it looks here

Just to compare, this is a similar view of the road we traveled, but in winter.
No wonder they close it down for several months each year.

But really beautiful views

There we are

My girl and I, enjoying a river

And my love and I, near the end of a very full day

Mountain Escape

For Labor Day weekend, we got away to the mountains. We stayed in a great townhome where each of us had our own space, and it served as our home base for all of the little hikes, walks, and exploring we did. It was so homey and comfortable, we were happy to be nestled in there during late afternoon rains. We even cooked and stayed there for our two meals a day.

Three generations at Echo Lake

Don't you love these blue trees? They were painted with a natural pigment to inspire discussion about deforestation

A mom is always happiest when she's with her beloved children

Soaring down a mountainside coaster - the ride was way too fast for $20!

Others chose the alpine slide

Me and my love

We got in on some early changing colors