Celebrating in Sunshine & Rain

Dinner at McPhee Reservoir

My hubby and I share the same birthday month – our birthdays are just five days apart. The best birthday present we can give each other is to get away and play. This year we snuck in a few days before our birthdays. We planned the days and the meals — but held open where to go depending on the weather and how we felt.

When the weekend arrived – the weather forecast for the state was typical: chance of showers. We decided to head southwest — partly because our original destination was hosting a big event over the weekend and we wanted to avoid crowds.

On that Sunday (a few weeks ago now:) we pedaled on a new (for us) trail called Boggy Draw, near Dolores.

Looking towards the San Juans from the Italian Canyon Loop — at Boggy Draw

It was a beautiful day – downright hot, and we were sweaty and dirty when we were done. We headed to McPhee Reservoir – for a dip and to find home for the night. We had a lovely dinner (see the photo above:), and then settled in to watch the lightening flash in all of the clouds that had amassed  in the surrounding mountains.

It was a beautiful show – and we listened to rain on and off throughout the night. When we woke to a drizzly wet morning we debated what to do. We wanted to pedal, but not in the rain. If it was raining in the desert, it would certainly be raining in the mountains.

In the end we decided to head back towards Durango (higher elevation & closer to mountains) anyway. We figured at least there was a movie theater if all else failed. But by the time we reached Durango the universe had sent the rain clouds packing for us, and we pedaled in the sunshine on the Telegraph Trail system, just outside of Durango.

After our ride we headed towards Wolf Creek Pass to find home for the night. We found a beautiful spot to camp at the western base of the pass – and watched the sunset as we ate our dinner.

The clouds began to gather again as the day turned to night. And we were again awakened by raindrops pattering on the roof of the van. The next morning the rain was still falling – and we watched a herd of elk disperse as we drove along the dirt road back towards the highway.

By the time we reached Salida the clouds had again dispersed, and we spent a sunny, and relaxing, day at home. Just around sunset we took this fun self timer surrounded by the bounty of our garden, before heading out to dinner – on my actual birthday:)

How do you like to celebrate with the ones you love – in the sunshine and in the rain? You don’t really need a birthday to celebrate – so I sure hope you’ll find a way to celebrate beautiful you soon!

xox,

xox
xox

P.S. I even snuck in a little journaling play during our getaway – it resulted in a fun commemoration of our birthdays getaway 2014.

P.S.S. Speaking of celebrating – I’m also going to be celebrating the launch of my 2015 Daily Musings Journal this month. I’ll be sending info on pre-ordering (= early bird special) next week.

If you’re interested in learning more – or signing up for my early bird special update – just click here.

I’d sure appreciate it if you spread the daily musings love.