Today was one of those gorgeous days that I just needed to go into the mountains. I didn't venture far because I got started late, but I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. It was sunny and warm until I drove higher up into the snowy areas. One of the things I love to do is to just get in my car and drive and just see where I end up.

I headed down Hampden towards the mountains and turned off at Turkey Creek Road in Morrison, CO. I wanted to get a good view of the plains from the mountain for my Lenten Photo Challege photo. I headed up and down a few of the mountains looking for a good spot. I saw Vesuvius, Annapurna, Olympus, and Kilimanjaro along the way, haha! I also saw several lifelike statues of animals including elk, mountain goats, and bison.

From there I headed to Evergreen, CO. I saw people ice fishing on Evergreen Lake. Being from Southern CA and TN, I have never seen a totally frozen lake. Of course, I had to go check it out. I had one of those moments standing on the edge of the lake where your brain says, "Nope...absolutely not...you might DIE!" Even looking out over the lake to the perfectly safe people with their kids out on the ice, I couln't bring myself to step more than a few feet from the edge. I paced around for a while before I watched a man lead his two kids right out onto the ice. I figured if they were okay, I should be too. My adventurous spirit is generally stronger than my fear, but sometimes it takes a little coaxing to get my bravery up. I finally managed to walk out on the ice. Such a strange feeling knowing there is a whole lake under your feet!

From Evergreen I headed toward I-70. I still wanted a great overlook picture, so I was again lured off the highway for the Mother Cabrini Shrine which was clearly at the top of the nearby peak. Unfortunately I was about 20 minutes too late, and it was closed. Well Lookout Mountain was nearby, so I figured surely there was a good overlook there. The drive was much further than I expected and wound all around the mountain there. It is also a nature center and it was closed too (but I need to come back when it is open). Buffalo Bill's grave is also nearby. I thought that was interesting since I have driven past Buffalo Bill's place in Cody, WY several times. I really must come back when I have proper time for exploring.

It was now getting dark, and I did not have enough signal for my GPS to work. Luckily I have a good sense of direction and was able to find my way out. I ended up going down the other side of the mountain through Windy Saddle Park. I did get a few pictures of Golden as I came down.

I've been very sad that I will no longer be singing at the church I was attending. Music and creation are my top two ways of connecting to God, so this was a much needed adventure. I had a wonderful afternoon and evening. My parents used to do the same thing, though often they had some idea where they wanted to end up. When we would ask where we were going, their reply was always, "Crazy!" (We're going crazy, if you're a little slower, hahaha!) For me, it always brings a little more peace, sanity, and excitement into my life.