The First Day of Vacation . . . Easing Our Way Into It.

Today was relatively uneventful. Lisa and I basically used today to settle into the vacation mode. I got up at 5:30 AM and had a small breakfast with Steve. Then, we did a short, easy run about 1 ½ to 2 miles from the Broadview cabin down to the YMCA camp where we did a short swim workout. The mountain air was so clean, but very thin. I was huffing and puffing in the pool! After swimming, Steve and I warmed down by running back up to the cabin, so we got in a good 3 ½ or so mile run and a 40 minute swim workout. Nothing spectacular, but it was good to get some training in.

Later, in the early afternoon, Lisa and I met Steve and Laura and the twins down at the Estes Park Dog Park. We let all four dogs run around and play in the water until they were good and tired. There was some guy there with two yellow labs. Reese had a bit of a spat with one of them, but it was over quickly, and he played well with others for the rest of the sojourn. Then, Steve, Laura, and the twins went and did their own thing while Lisa and I walked Reese and AJ around downtown Estes Park. That was a lot of fun, too. We walked along the trail next to the Big Thompson River and just enjoyed being outdoors.

I know Matt and Shauna had plans to hike or do something with a friend of Matt’s who had relocated to the Estes Park area, but I just can’t remember what it was. In any event, after we left for the dog park, we didn’t see them again until late afternoon.

This evening, Shauna cooked chicken parmagiana for dinner. It was excellent! I tried hard not to overeat, but I just couldn’t help myself. When she brought out the creme brulee for dessert, I was in hog heaven. More wine and conversation made this an exceptionally pleasant day. Matt was funny . . . he’s been getting updates on the Tour de France for Laura and Steve, but he claims to have little to no interest in the race himself. However, our conversations seem to always devolve back into discussions of the Tour, the doping scandals, and Matt’s insistence that he’s not really following the Tour this year! It’s so nice being around intelligent people with quick wits who can hold an entertaining conversation!

Lisa and Laura seem to be bonding, and that makes me so very happy. I think the world of Laura. She has such a hard job caring for those twins! She’s been a terrific companion, friend, and soulmate to Steve since they met back in 1998 (‘97?), and now she seems to be equally good at managing the mothering role. I know that Lisa’s affection for the twins has certainly endeared her to Steve and Laura! She (Lisa) is SO good with little ones! Laura also has a very similar sense of humor to Lisa’s. Since Steve and I are so close, I’d always hoped that our spouses could develop the kind of relationship that would make it easy for us all to spend time together (which is hard to do now that they’re in Colorado and we’re here in Texas). Based on what I’m witnessing this week, I think we’ll have many years of fun to come!!!

Bed time tonight is rather early. Steve and I are riding from Estes Park to Boulder and back tomorrow, so we need a good night’s sleep.