It’s been about 2 months since we pulled into our new state of Colorado permanently. Lots of changes, work, making new friends, establishing a new home.

Denver isn’t our home though. I am here for John’s conference in our hotel room reflecting. It’s a peaceful morning looking out at the downtown area from the 16th floor. John brought me coffee and I ate an apple we brought from home for breakfast, still contemplating what to do for lunch on my own. I love these moments when I can sit still for a change and just breathe.

We’ve explored Rocky Mountain National Park since we’ve been here. There’s nothing like closing the door to the moving “mess” to take an hour’s drive to our favorite park which is now practically in our backyard. Just breathing in the fresh mountain air with whiffs of pine clearing the mind and soul.

Our 5:00am morning walks, we can see the snowcapped mountains in the not too far distance. We have just enough time before work to enjoy our quiet neighborhood and then have coffee on the patio. Across the street is practically a bird sanctuary. We’ve seen robins, hawks, swallows, eagles and cranes. Their chirps are like an orchestra welcoming the day. We seem to have a “resident” deer on one of our paths that we walk. There is a small lake where we have seen this single deer grazing on the foliage. She stares us down unafraid; we continue our walk giving her peace and quiet not wanting to spook her. As we walk, we marvel on how tall the weeds and wild grasses are growing during these summer months. No water other than what falls from the sky, no tender loving care, no nothing but yet some are as tall as I am. “Crazy” we say.

We’ve had to pinch ourselves on how fortunate we have been in the last 36 years of marriage to have lived in some very spectacular places. Phoenix, Aliso Viejo, CA, Napa, Santa Barbara then back to Phoenix. Cities that need no introduction.

Now a new adventure is beginning in Colorado. We’ve been making new friends, joined a local wine club…no surprise right! Our kitchen is now functioning with all of our kitchen tools, plates, platters, pots and pans…put away finding their perfect place. We’ve had a couple of small dinner parties including Mother’s Day brunch. Finally creating a new life in a new place. Mom, my brother, nephew live practically around the corner. Our families are not too far away for weekend visits if we choose to drive or fly. This is comforting.

So, the new adventure begins. Future goals include local cooking classes (there is a cheese making course not far away), photography (maybe I’ll use an old-fashioned camera with a lens although my cell phone does a pretty decent job), exploring mountains, trails and cool mountain towns. Dinner parties and wine tastings. Reading books, turning pages. Sewing. And most of all sharing with all the people I love especially my husband. My rock, soulmate, best friend. Cheers from Denver!