Telluride pt. 2
Oh Telluride, you sweet beautiful town all tucked into a box canyon at the base of a waterfall and your river running alongside and your magical historic main street. It is so good to see you again!
You could tell Justin and I were excited to be there because we rolled the windows down and leaned forward in our seats. We kept saying to the kids, “Look out your windows kids! Isn’t this beautiful?”
And it was.
The subtle bustle on Colorado Street surrounded by the quietness of the mountains on all sides and the towering Bridal Veil Falls straight ahead.
Of course, the falls is right where Justin beelined it to.
To my joyful surprise, Justin told me about an off road trail up to the base of the waterfall. Lucky me! Just what I was hoping for. We can 4-wheel it all the way up there!
I swear. These mountains. I know other people love them, but I really really could do without their roads.
Oh wait, what’s that? A couple on the side of the trail said they had turned around at the hairpin because of the snow?
That’s comforting.
I was reassured their car wasn’t 4WD and that our car could make it and dang it if Justin wasn’t right again and the drive was worth it!
In all the times I’d been to Telluride, I’d never hiked up to the falls, and now here I was at the base of it with my whole family.
Even though I didn’t like the heights, being at the base of the waterfall with everyone was truly special.
We drove back down and into town to park and explore.
Coming out of the parking garage, I saw a woman wearing a Nashville hat, so of course I asked her about it and was chitchatting all about Nashville while waiting for Justin. As Justin walked up, the man in the group said, “I know you!” to Justin.
Turns out, Justin had done a remodeling job for this family a few months back! How small of a world is that? Turns out, they were doing a similar trip to us, but in reverse, so we got the lowdown on Mesa Verde where we were headed to next.
I always was amazed at how my dad could be anywhere and run into someone he knew and now that happened to us. Such a small world!
Off to Mountain Village on the gondola. This one wasn’t so bad. Maybe it was because it looked more professional and people use it daily for transportation or maybe I’m getting used to it. Either way, we had a fun little ride up to the ski village and then came right back down. My kids wanted to just ride the gondola the rest of the day, any we considered letting them while we explored the town, but figured we should probably keep them with us, you know, because we’re good parents and stuff…
We grabbed some lunch and walked around exploring different shops. Stopping in for a souvenir for me, a book for Justin, and of course toys for the kids. It didn’t matter if it was a fishing shop or the toy shop, we loved walking in all of them.
We took a little detour to see the last home my sister lived in and then continued onto Town Park.
Town Park was impressive and a whole other level of community park. It’s where they hold most of their festivals, including the Bluegrass one where I almost didn’t make it. The skate park was my kids’ favorite part, except for Edley who loved the playground. Yet again, these Colorado playgrounds are next level!
FYI, this is the most dog friendly town I have ever been to. I think everyone owns a dog and I’m pretty sure my kids got their dog fix in for the month just on this one day. They miss their Indie girl, but we’ll see her soon.
We ended our day visiting my brother’s old stomping grounds at the Sheridan Opera House where he was the manager for several years. Justin said the sign said to unlock the door but I’m still wondering if we kinda broke in…It was empty and off hours, so we told the kids to be super quiet, take a quick peek around, snap a pic, and get out of there. My little rule follower heart was too worried we weren’t suppose to be there!
The Opera House felt familiar, like a warm hug, since it was a place I heard my brother talk about for years and was where I had seen several shows way back when. It looked and felt the same to me as it did 30 years ago. Has it really been that long?
We packed up and said goodbye to Telluride.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be out this way again, but it was good to see you.
You know what this day felt like?
It felt like running into an ex. You relive some good memories, and you’re happy for the good times but are more grateful for your current situation and don’t have to look back anymore. No regrets. I think that’s what this day was for me now that I think about it. Closure. I always wondered what if, but I don’t have to wonder anymore. I love my life in Tennessee and for the family God has given me and I don’t have to question not moving here anymore or beat myself up for how I came to that decision.
God had better things in store for me and I’m leaving the town with all of them in the car with me.
