Alpenglow

Three o'clock could not have come quick enough.  At 2:57 I received a text that Jack had gotten off work early and he was all packed.  If the ocean of cars on southbound I-25 wasn't too dense, I could be home by 3:40.  I burst through the door at 3:37.  As if waltzing around our house, Jack and I quickly gathered the groceries, our bags, toothbrushes, wine and prepared foods.  By 5:07 we were on 8th avenue west, finally mountain bound.

As we climb Berthoud Pass, the last drops of daylight seep through the fog.  Alpenglow.  One of my favorite words, definitely one of my favorite phenomenons.  Alpenglow marks the end of a winter day, the quite and calm time as the sun floats behind the mountains.  The sight is breathtaking, it is home.  It reminds me of so many days from my childhood, cozy in my mountain town.  The week has faded away. The beautiful, peaceful, alpenglow calm has overtaken our family.

Well, most of the family.  As Jack and I take in the splendor, Gracie (our 3 year old lab) frantically paces in the the backseat.  Grace becomes aware of our mountain getaways by the time we get to Floyd Hill.  By the top of Berthoud, her excitement is beyond her control.  Snowbanks, no leash and cross country skiing! DRIVE FASTER!

We have invited close friends to the family house in Winter Park this weekend.  Some will have the luxury of a bedroom, some have volunteered to sleep on the floor.  Dogs, bags, food and drinks will soon fill this house.  This weekend will no doubt join the many summers and memories we share with our friends.  The house will be alive this weekend, but not quite yet.  As we await our guests Grace is frolicking and bounding through the snow out front and Jack and I are enjoying the quiet and the peace by a warm mountain fire.