Spring has come!

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing…

—William Shakespeare, AS YOU LIKE IT

someone is about to start another round of online classes.  Her time on weekends will be limited.

So, we decided to make the most of this weekend. Two enjoyable hikes in the foothills served the purpose!

The first hike was to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. 

The hike was to take in the views at Windy Peak, enjoy the Spring weather and to see the early season wildflowers.

It was also a chance to scope out a site for a certain event taking place next year.

someone and I want something low key. We do not want a big gala. Instead, something more akin to a big party with lots of food, a relaxed time and something that won't put us in debt for years to come! 🙂  A good friend will officiate, people can pitch in if they want to,  and hopefully everyone will enjoy the abundant food in a beautiful setting. It is a wedding that could best be called a 'grass roots wedding'.   Something that reflect the values that someone and I share.  We do not need a church to express the love and commitment we have for one another. The outdoors is where we met, it is what we love and it is the place where we are choosing to make a commitment and sharing it with the people in our lives.  What could be better?

 (We are blatantly stealing the wedding idea from hiker trash couple extraordinaire POD and Disco! 😉 )

And it looks like the perfect site was found for us in Golden Gate Canyon. An old barn with covered picnic tables, a ginormous grill, a brook running through, a large meadow and a stand of aspens that is as  nice as any cathedral. Perfect! We can't book it until next year, but we are confident this place will fit our needs.

As mentioned, one reason for this hike was to also see the early season wildflowers. Cactus, sand lily and Pasque flowers were abundant…

We continued our hike to the aptly named Windy Peak and enjoyed the view to the still very snowy Continental Divide.  Still a little bit longer to go until backpacking in the high country can start up again!

We made our way back; but not before someone broke into a big smile.  This is now my new favorite photo of her. 🙂

A similar hike was done Sunday in the Boulder foothills.  No photos I'm afraid. But the wildflowers were still nice, the weather continued to be great and the above smile again put a smile on MY face.

Can't ask for more.