Today’s the day I got to return to my love, Boulder, CO! We woke up a bit dehydrated in Denver and very sad to be starting our first day in the absence of our dear Casually Kissing Cowboys (pour one out). Tech Talkin and Walkin headed to the gym while Suavest of the Seas and I played with my cousin’s new puppy all morning- Shout to Harley, cutest lil’ mutt at a mile high! We all reconvened at a delicious French bakery that defied Casually Kissing Cowboy’s belief that all French people are rude for delicious savory pastries and pain au chocolat.
We then hijacked my cousin Naomi and headed to the mountains! I vaguely remember a Sports Illustrated article about CU Boulder that came out a decade ago referencing heaven. Yet (and this is difficult for me to admit, being a teacher of English), nothing could ever capture the moment driving along US 36 over the crest of the final hill before Boulder Valley when the red rooftops of CU Campus emerge pressed against the backdrop of the mammoth flat irons. I get chills every time I return.
We headed straight to my dear friend Daniela’s house and, on account of what I refer to as the Boulder Baby Boom, embarked on an epic play date in North Boulder with 9 adults and 5 babes- we had them out numbered! We pushed strollers along the sidewalk and marveled at the obscene spike in real estate (seriously people, legalization of marijuana is cool and all but is that really what it took for you to realize how absolutely perfect this town is?) and made our way to Mo’s Broadway Bagels. They’re not New York bagels, but they’re the closest thing this side of the Mississippi.
Afterwards, we made our way to a park where we saw some referees setting up this game:
which clearly we wanted to partake in, however were told it was set up for some corporate event. We would like to comment that those corporate brats never showed up and a missed opportunity was had by all. Instead, we blew up our Woo Hoo inflatable couch, only to have it burst open at the seams 2 minutes later after an overexcited Avayah jumped on it. Note, don’t believe Amazon reviews. The Woo Hoo is a piece of plastic crap. If you want one of these things, go with the European original.
Avayah was pretty upset over the incident but we kissed and made up.
After some refreshing 75 cent lemonades from some enthusiastic entrepreneurs, we kissed the babes goodbye and headed to our hotel.
My friend Jon said it perfectly when I met him at the bar for a pre dinner drink. “Look at you staying at the St Julien. We only ever got to come here when our parents were visiting!” Oh, how far we’ve come. Actually, it didn’t feel far when we rolled up to the valet next to the Audis and Mercedes in our Dodge Caravan JucyVan with 117,000 miles and 3 inches of dust caked on. Even more embarrassing was handing the keys over and explaining how the key fab was busted and you have to use the jenky toothpick key to lock and unlock one door at a time. On the plus side, our JucyVan was too tall for the parking garage so we got some free advertising when they parked it in the driveway on Walnut with our hashtags covering the windows.
Jon and I headed across the street to the Attic to reminisce while Tech Talkin and Walkin and Suavest of the Seas enjoyed the luxuries of our hotel room (and that bathtub!) We met back up for dinner at Oak (another place we never could have afforded in college) and opted for fancy Cabernet over the Coors Light we once enjoyed on Pearl Street. My college and post-college worlds collided as Jon shared some questionable stories about our past choices and the debauchery that was our college experience.
Sadly, Jon had to drive back to Denver so we parted, but were joined by Daniela (minus her two squeezable kids). We went to kiss the Buffalo at the Pub and then immediately left when approached by some 23 year old gentlemen. We chose the slightly more mature West End Tavern roof top garden to sip bubbly and discuss current events while inhaling the potent campfire smell rolling down the canyon from the forest fires blazing above us (not as terrifying as it sounds).
We rolled back into our swanky digs for the night and nestled ourselves into the white down of our hotel beds for our last goodnight of sleep for awhile.
More Boulder coming at you tomorrow!
The Gringo Gaucho
#teacherroadtrip #jucyworld #southwest #roadtrip #teachers
Teacher Road Trip 
Soooo happy you are having such a great time in your old hood. Harley looks adorable and I am sure Daniela and her beautiful kids had a great day with you. We enjoy the pictures and share them with our friends, including Daniela’s parents.