Category Archives: Colorado Daily Life

Red Rocks on the 4th of July

We had always wanted to see a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater on the 4th of July, and so with this vacation we made it happen. Blues Traveler has been playing there on Independence Day for about a decade now and we had always heard great things about it. Our show lived up to the hype even though you could tell they were a little used to playing there and had a lot of the opening bands play with them. Blues Traveler put on a decent show, but the real star of course is the location itself. Nestled between two huge triangular red boulders, Red Rocks is a natural wonder. I am generally not into concerts because they tend to be really expensive and indoor venues just never do justice to the music. But Red Rocks is special even to musicians. You just aren’t a “true” star until you’ve played there and been listed on their museum wall.


The rock formations are out of this world!

We took advantage of our family’s offers of free babysitting to go out to this concert. We were expecting a great show, but what we didn’t expect was a lightning show, rainbows and all the fireworks shows that lit up the whole Denver area. It starting raining in the middle of the show, but it cleared out half the crowd which made the rest of the performance all-the-better. The firework show put on by Bandimere Speedway was the best and it was so interesting to watch the displays from above instead of below. We loved our time at Red Rocks and encourage anyone who loves the outdoors and music to go (hint: pack some snacks and expect some outrageous prices at the concession stands). Here’s a little from our time with our niece and her boyfriend at Red Rocks.


With Summer in the summer of Colorado


Britton and his niece with an impressive rock formation


You could see Denver in the distance


And rainbows forming over it


We took the long way to the amphitheater and saw deer on the hike


And a bear (haha)


Our group at the concert


Fireworks going off as Blues Traveler played


Such beautiful countryside!

Here’s a little video of our time at Red Rocks:

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Colorado Trip: Greeley Stampede, Estes Park, Family Visit

We are visiting Colorado for the first time in nearly 6 years! We have a lot of things we wanted to do while we were here including visiting our properties, family (some hadn’t yet met Aeden) and Colorado. So many memories have come up and it is strange to see if from Puerto Rico eyes. I have definitely changed, or been changed by my time in Puerto Rico. I will get into more about our comparisons/contrasts later, but for now, here’s a little of what we’ve been up to. It’s the 4th of July in Colorado, a more “American” style vacation there couldn’t be. BBQs, ice cream, flags and fireworks, big trucks and overly polite people calling me a “gal” abound. It’s funny how easily we stepped back in. Some things have changed, but more have stayed the same.


Hasta Pronto, Puerto Rico! Taking a Cape Air Flight. Aeden’s first!

Rincon from the air


Colorado weather is so nice this time of year!


Aeden travels well even though he is teething and developed his first cold. A baby certainly complicates things!


Greeley Stampede is as fun as ever. We walked around the carnival a bit and saw REO Speedwagon!


Fun spending time with old friends like Lorena and Kelly

 


REO Speedwagon was fun even if I only knew 3 songs haha

S

Family and Farmer’s Inn, it’s a tradition!


I had forgotten about squirrels! They’re so cute! (Puerto Rican “ardillas” are really mongoose!)


My 90+ year old grandma met her first GREAT grandbaby for the first time! 4 generations in this picture!


My brother met his only nephew too!


We went to Target!! haha


We visited the old houses we called home for a long time


So much food! I haven’t eaten steak in years! But we’re in cow country and not “lechon” anymore!


And there is just so much food in general it’s amazing!


Saw some bigfeet at the Dam Store


Pose like a tourist in Estes Park!


The mountains and drive were gorgeous! I do miss the mountains of CO!


Family in Estes Park


Fun at the Stanley Hotel -The inspiration for the movie The Shining

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Loving February Plus Heliconias!

Back in Colorado February was by far my least favorite month. The novelty of snow and cold had long since worn off, the holidays and the excitement they bring were over and cabin fever began to set in big time. It was cold and dark and everything was just waiting…waiting for spring and life again. I would often read the seed catalogs and long for spring and gardening, being outside, spending time with friends and just enjoying the beautiful warm days of summer.

Cassie and Turkeys
Playing outside in the winter. Two turkeys at a time! Just like pelicans! 🙂

But now, we basically live an endless summer. I don’t even really think about those cold Colorado days much anymore except what I hear from my friends and family. Nowadays it’s flipflops and shorts year round. It does get a bit “chilly” here now that we are acclimated. I snuggle with a small blanket at night now and I like the slightly warmed water in the shower. But all the doors and windows are open. There are no heaters or humidifiers and it just feels perfect. It’s the type of weather you don’t even really notice because you are just so comfortable in your own skin. I know some people really like the changing of the seasons and the cold, but for me, I couldn’t be happier in always warm weather. I guess it’s sort of like Mondays now. I used to dread Mondays because I loved the weekends so much, now Mondays are just another lovely day. Every day here is a Saturday in summer!

Megan and Me
Pool parties in February -with my wonderful friend Megan

Things are very much still alive here! There is less rain in February so the yard work diminishes and while some of the grasses turn brown waiting for water, for some plants like these heliconias, it is their time to shine! The whales are visiting Rincón and other animals like the turkeys and chickens are preparing for their spring babies.

Bright Heliconias
Explosion of color in these heliconias -thanks to starts from our friends Missy and Ben

What a contrast to the grey, dark and cold Februarys. I am still so much in love with living here that I feel more alive and vibrant myself every day.

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Just Flew Back to Mayaguez

….and boy are my arms tired!!

I took a short trip back to Colorado to visit my family while Cassie stayed behind and took care of the finca.

Colorado Trip

Almost 2 years has passed since I saw this silhouette.  I was greeted by this on the way to work and back everyday for many years.

This trip was the first time I had taken the Cape Air flight out of Mayaguez.  I have to say that it was super fun.  I have my pilots license but it had been several years since I have been on a small plane.  I was able to sit in the co-pilot’s seat on both trips which was awesome!  Check the video above of the landing, we even went through a little rain on the way in!

San Juan Airplane Ride

San Juan Cape AirCool Paint Job! (In San Juan, not the plane I was in)

It was great seeing everyone!  Friends in Longmont and Greeley and all the family.

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