We enjoyed two days in Boulder after the pet sit. We stayed at a place called A Lodge, a very interesting type of accommodation. There are rooms, suites, tent camping, and van camping. There’s a pool, sauna, hot tub, outdoor cooking pavilion, lodge with comfortable seats, games, and provisions, and a gorgeous little river (or big stream) running through it all. Clouds of tansy surround the water, filling the breeze with a floral scent. The site was just on the outskirts of the city limits, through the Colorado Canyon, which has the river version of our stream rushing in a serpentine patterns through some very beautiful countryside. The river is a popular spot when the temperature is high, and yesterday it was in the 90s, so there were heaps of people cooling off. Yesterday, while Larry worked, I spent a lot of time sitting by the stream, listening to it flow, letting the sound surround me and wash away all thoughts and fears and doubts. Ladybugs, hummingbirds, robins, orioles, and woodpeckers shared the space.

After work we headed into town and did a little retail therapy to support the local economy. We scored some really tasty drinks and bites too. Notable was the cheeseburger and the chicken sandwich at C Bar and the Bavarian pretzel and dunkelweiss at a Czech beirgarten. We found a cousin of the Newbury Street, Boston bookstore, Trident, and it was a cool and hip and nerdy as you could ever want in a bookstore. And, as they do every Wednesday in Boulder, there was a large farmers market, live music, vendors, and generally a festive, fun atmosphere. It was a pleasure to witness.

We found a spot to empty the tanks and give Louie a bath before his big drive east. Today Larry dropped me at the Denver airport. I already miss him and Louie, but I do love me some airport time. Tonight he will sleep in Kansas City and I will sleep in Florida. After that we will each make our way with our respective vehicles up to camp in New Hampshire, where we will bask in family and enjoy the sounds of a different river.