Interlude with Erin

Sue & Erin at one of our favorite local restaurants

It has been a couple of weeks since Erin returned to DC, but we had such a nice time during her visit, we wanted to make sure that we wrote about our delightful interlude and shared on the blog.

Erin has been back in the USA for just about a year and is very much enjoying her assignment as a State Department liaison to the Organization of American States.

She gets to use her languages skills and is working in new areas like security, drug regulation, and immigration.

Diego, at his ease

She is hoping to extend her assignment, meaning that she will be in DC for three years, instead of the normal two.

One of the benefits of the job was that she was able to wrangle a month off during the Summer to enroll in a month long Yoga Teacher's Training course, taught here in Denver.

The course was no walk in the park with class lasting upwards of 12 hours a day, but she loved the course and especially her instructor.

To make her stay easier, she asked to bring along her cat, Diego, and we agreed.  She rescued him from the streets of Mexico City and has become very attached to him--and we can see why.  Diego is a sweetheart.

Jet black, with big green eyes, he is very affectionate and full of personality.  You can see that he quickly made himself at home.

Charlie sharing secrets with Auntie Erin

With Erin being here in Denver, it gave us a chance to be together as a family.  Erin and Charlie had a a real opportunity to get reacquainted and bond.

Charlie really like having Erin visit his home so he could show her his room and all the neat things he does at home.

Erin & Bryn off to Yoga on the Rocks

Erin and Bryn share an interest in yoga, so even though Erin was spending 50-60 hours a week in her training class, she was happy to spend one Saturday with Bryn at a "Yoga on the Rocks" event held at Red Rocks park.

They said they had a great time--perhaps it was the free beer and food that was offered after the event.

Sunset from our balcony

We just loved having Erin stay with us; we usually waited dinner for her & once the meal was done--we often retired to the balcony, wine glasses in hand, to enjoy the sunset and the opportunity to talk, reminisce about the past and contemplate the future.


Now that she is no longer in Denver, we miss those great conversations and the feeling of connection. As parents of adult children, you seldom have such a wonderful opportunity to be with your child--we felt so fortunate.

Larry & Erin on the porch of the landmark Stanley Hotel

Erin's last weekend here, we decide to drive up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for an overnight stay and tour. It is less than two hours from the hustle and bustle of downtown Denver, but truly a world away.

The trip was really a spur of the moment decision, so we had no reservations or even any idea of where to stay,

But we happened upon a cute little A-frame cabin on a fast flowing mountain stream, just outside of Estes--it was the last cabin they had available, and it really proved idyllic.

Cabin along a mountain stream

The hot tub on the deck was a nice bonus that  let us enjoy the spectacular night sky (complete with shooting stars), while relaxing and marveling at our beautiful surroundings.

We last visited the park in 1970 (and Erin had never seen it.) It was in many ways as beautiful and breathtaking as we remembered, but clearly climate change and global warming have taken their toll on the park and its environment.

The landscapes are still beautiful--but dead pines seem to be ubiquitous, decimated by the pine bark beetle.

Larry, Sue & Erin--selfie in the Woods

The beetle has always been present, but in times past, the larvae was killed by the intensely cold winters.

 But winters are warmer now, and the beetle is able to survive, eat and reproduce much more vigorously.

When we visited in the Summer of 1970, we remember seeing a lot of glaciers--they seem to be vanishing, with remnants only at the higher elevations.

On the Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park

Driving through the park along the Trail Ridge Road--sometimes in a caravan of other vehicles-- takes no more than two or three hours, even with stops to admire the incredible views and vistas.

Despite the crowds, though, we found the experience very relaxing and re-invigorating.

We know we want to go back for a return visit--hopefully for little longer than just an overnight.

But it was a great end to Erin's visit and the three of us enjoyed having the opportunity to experience the Rocky National Park together.

Our mountain goat!

Landscape with dead pines