Perfect Summer Days

As Jack and I walked to dinner tonight we were reflecting on how much we love living in Denver, how ready we are for summer and much we love watching Gracie chase a tennis ball at the park.  For the past month I have reached my goal of practicing Bikram Yoga regularly and can make it to a 4:00 class as long as there is no traffic.  The beauty of this schedule is that Jack gets off work at the same time I finish yoga and we meet at the park, he brings Grace. 
Grace could chase a ball all day long.  Kids, other dogs and people are not a distraction from her main concern...get the ball!  The entire time she runs her tail is wagging and her head is held high.  Although she loves this, Jack and I joke that it is really her 'dry-land' training for her real passion. Swimming. 
It is at this point in our conversation that we come to the thing we don't like to talk about.  The fact that we moved away from Gracie's lake (okay okay, it is really Horsetooth Reservoir).  Grace and I share special bonding time in the summer while Jack works.  I would typically go to a mid-morning bikram class and get nice and sweaty.  After a quick bike-ride home, Grace and I would head West about 15 minutes to the glorious shore of Horsetooth.  I would take in the sun while Grace swam after the first few throws.  And then, and this is really her favorite, I would always jump in too.  We would swim together out as far as I could throw and then slowly paddle back to shore.  More throws, more 'team' swims. 
Denver does not offer that type of haven, there are some spots that might work but nothing as perfect as our beach.  Our summer days may end up looking a little different this summer, but most likely yoga and swimming will be a necessity.