I really didn’t feel much remorse when leaving the Snowmansion.  I knew that it was time to move on.  I cleaned my room had a cup of tea with Emily and went on my merry way.  I decided to take the scenic route to Santa Fe via a winery that was closed, but it was lovely.  My first night in Santa Fe I stayed in the hostel the whole night.  It was nice to sit and not feel obligated to clean anything... it was still a hostel so there were plenty of people to talk to.  I love that about hostels - you may be traveling alone, but you are never really alone unless you want to be.  I talked to one guy named Mark for many hours in the courtyard over a bottle of wine.  He had been keeping bee’s all day :)

Santa Fe didn’t impress me much.  Maybe I was just tired and coming off the chaos of the hostel, but Santa Fe felt very crowded to me and very touristy.  Lots of things to look at - art and shops and anything else, but it was all very expensive for an unemployed nurse.  The drive from Santa Fe to Durango, though, was beautiful.  I had only seen Northern New Mexico in the winter and NOW I get what everyone is talking about.  

Durango was nice too.  I certainly see the appeal of the town, although I can also see how it could feel very isolated and small after a short while.  I stayed at a very nice hostel and ate at the brewery.  I shopped the shops and called it a day.

I changed my mind at the last minute and instead of hitting up Telluride to opted for Ouray.  The drive was along “The Million Dollar Highway” which felt like I was driving through a Colorado postcard all day.  Ouray, like all the little mountain towns, is nestled in between the peaks and has one main street that is lined with cute shops.  Ouray is also known for its hot springs, which of course I had to check out.  They also have a brewery with delightful beer.  Overall I pretty much love Ouray.  Hope to go back soon.

Next stop is Colorado Springs for no other reason then to see my friends.  Jon and Hilary were nice enough to gather the troops and host a little gathering at Jons house.  It was great fun, as always.  It was heartbreaking to see the fire damage along Hwy 24 and the NW corner of town, but it was interesting to get the insight on the fire from those who were living there. 

I arrived in Denver on Saturday and went to a concert at Red Rocks that night as a “welcome home” gift to myself (Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Gregory Allen Isakov).  I unfortunately had to go alone, but just like every time I do something alone, it worked out just fine.  I met another lady who’s friend had to leave early so we paled around together and had a great time.

I will say, though, that traveling alone is starting to wear on me.  It’s not that I’m uncomfortable or anything, it’s just that I am learning that life is better shared.  And while I value my alone time I am very much looking forward to sharing the joys and burdens of traveling with a partner - hopefully sometime very soon :)

BUT today is Monday and I have just moved into the cutest house in Denver with a girl named Ariel and I think this will be a great thing.  Denver will be a challenge for me. I’ve never been a city girl before - in fact it’s safe to say that cities have always stressed me out a bit.  But this is why I feel like I should live in one - so I can face that and learn to be comfortable in cities. And besides, cities have people and Lord knows I am tired of being lonely. 

Here’s to the next grand adventure :)