Whirlwind

We have spent 7 days in Ouray, camping first at the KOA for 2 nights and then at the Amphitheater campground. We have hiked in waterfalls, spent a lot of time at the hot springs, played in a lot of mud, had ice cream shakes every day at 'Mouse's' (well some of us just had apple cider), walked in the rain and devised some creative ways to cook dinner in the rain. Speaking of rain, we have had TONS of it. I was counting today and I realized that out of 6 nights of camping we were only able to have 2 campfires because of rain. We ended up eating out 2 nights also which wasn't in the budget but what can you do when it's pouring rain and you have already used up every creative idea? 

When we were leaving the KOA I talked to my mom and she reminded me that my birthday was the next day. I was immediately excited. What could I arrange? Dinner out? A shower? Antiquing? Anyone who knows me, knows that I like to take advantage of my birthday (something I learned from my Dad) so the wheels were spinning. When I woke up though I  knew that the cold I had been carrying around had taken a new direction. I felt horrible, I tried to deal with it but after a couple of hours of doing a bad job of faking it, I spent the rest of the day sleeping in the car. Everyone went to Telluride (I slept in the car), rode the gondola (I slept in the car), had a BBQ at a park (I slept in the car) and eventually drove back to our campsite in the pouring rain (I slept in the car). Luckily I think that rest was exactly what I needed, I have been getting better the past 2 days, although I still sound like I have a frog in my throat.

 Today we packed up a wet camp and drove to Gerard's parents house. It is so fun to see the giant house that he built and get to stay here for a couple of days. I have already taken a nap and a shower and I am getting ready to start our 2 garbage bags full of dirty laundry.  Also, although it is raining, we have been able to make dinner inside and are going to eat it without fear of being struck by lightning! Bliss.