Colorado - Colorado Springs

I mentioned in a previous post that I had lived in Colorado Springs.  I moved back to the Northwest in 2000 and hadn't been back to Colorado until now...10 years later.  I left Colorado Springs as a "twenty-something" single woman in the prime of life and returned a "thirty-something" married woman with a child,...still what I would consider the prime of my life.  A LOT of things have changed in The Springs in the last decade.There is the obvious urban grown (crazy urban growth!), however I am talking more about the things that were directly a part of my life there.  Most of my closest friends during this season of my life have moved away leaving only a select few in which I have an actual relationship with.  I "know" a lot of people there, at least according to Facebook.  I would be lying if I wasn't a little saddened that I was able to come in and out of town so easily without most of those Colorado "Facebook friends" really taking notice.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've been this amazing friend to each of them since I moved away as life happens.  Now, I did mention that there were a select few that I were able to see and I cherished the time I had with them.

We stayed with a wonderful family that is near and dear to my heart.  Jon & Cindy Hutchison were a couple that took me under their wings and opened their home to me on many occasions, especially holiday's when I had no family to be with. I also had the privilege of co-laboring with this couple for a few year's by helping them with the childeren's choir Jon directed at the church we all attended.  A lot has happened in their life during the past few years and it was wonderful being able to spend some sweet time with them.  We were so blessed by our time with them and Nate and Josiah loved them as much I do!

My Colorado Family

Jon, Melody, Cindy & Alexandra Hutchison

(And brother Jon who is in heaven)

Jon & Cindy were incredible hosts.  They had a BBQ for us one evening to make it easier to see anyone we might want to see and not have enough time to fit into our tight schedule.  Nate's family has some family friends that live near Colorado Springs that were able to make it over as well.  What a great evening!!

Cami, a beautiful friend inside and out!

Ironically, we've become closer because of Facebook.

John & Jamie

(John is a childhood friend of Nate's)

What an amazing woman this one is...Care!

Josiah's buddy, Brendon...John & Jamie's son.

 Catching up with everyone while enjoying 

 A spontaneous time of worship.  Jon, Cindy, Care and myself all use to sing together weekly at New Life Church.  This time was like comfort food for our souls!  I miss worshiping with these people!

Garden of the Gods

The one "touristy" thing we did while in The Springs was go to Garden of the Gods.  GOG is one of my favorite places anywhere.  We arrived pretty early in the day but the temperatures were already in the nineties so we made it a quick trip because we were all so hot.  Cindy joined us for our adventure which ended with lunch in nearby Manitou Springs.

Climbing through a tunnel in the rocks.

"Grrrrr!"

 

Exploring...

I'm surprised you can't see the sweat dripping off of our foreheads!

The infamous "Kissing Camels".

How is this rock staying up?

You can tell who the tourists are by who takes a picture under this rock acting

like they are holding it up.  (We did not take that picture!)

Lunch on the patio in Manitou Springs.

Love you, Cindy!

This pretty much sums up our time in Colorado Springs.  The only other thing on my list there was to drive around and see where I use to live, work and have fun.  I figured nobody would want to see my old apartment or my old place of employment.so I'll spare you all.  I'm sure Nate & Josiah wished I would have spared them time driving around too., but they were good sports.