Girls Weekend in Estes

The first weekend in February, Charline and I headed up to Estes for a little girls' weekend.  This was the first time Steve and Riley have ever bached it just the two of them, and they had a blast!

We had a great time too!  Estes is such a cute little town, and very close, just an hour or so away.

We stayed at the Silver Moon Inn, which is at the west end of town, just before the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

We got up there Friday night and had a little dinner, then just relaxed at the hotel.  The check in guy must have thought we were crazy.  After he told us that there was no smoking and no pets allowed, Charline retorted, "Well what the hell am I supposed to do with my cigar smoking dog???"  He didn't find it as amusing as we did...  The next morning we headed out for breakfast and found a cute little coffee shop.  Very quaint.

They had delicious breakfast bagels and killer apple crisp!  They also had all kinds of knick knacks for sale and as decoration.  One of them was the little car below.  Our friend, Cory, was fascinated with the idea of a girls' weekend, but although he IS slightly "metrosexual," he was NOT invited.  So instead we took a picture of him with us so that he could visit Estes vicariously.  Below, he's just recklessly looking the wrong way, sitting in the wrong side of the car while driving.  SO irresponsible!
We walked along Main Street and looked in all the little shops.  We found this really cool one with all kinds of stationery and art supplies.  We spent a good hour in there just browsing.  I found these really cool journals, and could not decide which one to get for my school meetings.  I know, it's weird, but I figure if I have to go to meetings, I may as well have something pretty to take notes in.  Charline helped me decide.

Can you believe that Dubs has his own postcard!?  Craziness!  I think he's getting a little up close and personal with Demi, though. That's ok, because Nelson Mandela is keeping a stern eye on him.

They say that if you get attacked by a mountain lion, you're supposed to make lots of noise and make yourself seem as big as possible to intimidate it.  HA! Easier said than done!

Our favorite place of all was the Estes Park Glassworks studio!  We got to watch one of the artists make this beautiful wavy cobalt blue bowl.  Then we went crazy for these gorgeous cane glass beads.  They're made by wrapping molten glass with the frit embedded in it around these tweezer-like tongs which create the holes in the beads.  Amazing!

The BFFs!  We had a great time!  It's so nice to get to get away every once in a while.  I missed my boys, but I enjoyed spending time with my buddy!