Month: August 2012

Last Summer Hurrah

Lauren2 Comments

It’s about this point during the year when I realize it won’t be summer much longer.  Then I’m in panic mode and am frantic to fit in one last summer hurrah.  This year, that last summer hurrah turned out to be a weekend getaway to Vail and although we were only gone for 48 hours, it was the perfect “I need one last summer adventure before I can let go” trip.

We wanted to go up to Glenwood Springs, but I’ll be honest, the hotels there are not that nice.  And not that cheap.  So we opted to stay an hour away in Vail.  Which happens to be a pretty cute little mountain town.

Turned out the Vail International Dance Festival was also going on this weekend, so after getting into town on Friday evening we grabbed dinner and the Ballroom Spectacular.  Both were fantastic.  We ate at Bol, which is this sophisticated restaurant with a super swanky bowling alley hidden away in the back.  And I ate the best gnocchi ever.

We spent the entire day in Glenwood on Saturday.  Well, after Joey fit all this somewhere.

As a child, my parents drove us, and usually Hannah, up to the hot springs where we could spend countless hours in the pool and somehow never be bored.  I have so many fond memories of that pool, and even though I hadn’t been in two years, being there felt so familiar.  Except now I can leave the pool and get a “Naughty Rootbeer” at the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co.

We woke up early on Sunday morning to watch the sunrise then immediately went back to bed.  It was 40 degrees and we were freezing.  I almost forgot what it felt like to be cold.

Before we headed back we stopped at the Vail Farmers’ Market, which turned out to be huge and much more artist and restaurant-friendly, than farmer-friendly.

Aaaand, I got to see this little guy.

So maybe it wasn’t technically a perfect vacation.  We got lost, were 25 minutes late to our show, almost hit a bear, got lost again, were cold at times and some of us may have been hungry and crabby on Sunday morning, but you know what?  It’s the imperfect parts of vacation that make it so memorable.  I needed that reminder.

Now we’re home, unpacked and finally ready to say goodbye to summer.

10 Things I Learned While Bowling

Lauren2 Comments

1. Fruity girly shots make bowling a lot more fun.

2. Even good bowlers mess up.

I witnessed Joey bowl a gutter ball.  And it was awesome.  And I may have yelled, “AGAIN!”  Oops.

3. It’s possible to bowl a 50.

I would know.

4. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages.

Gil and Margaret might not be our same age, but I absolutely adored hanging out with them every Thursday night.

5. Witnessing a perfect game is pretty amazing.

Slightly less amazing the 5th time around.

6. Other bowlers can be some of the most understanding and encouraging people.

I witnessed the cheers and high-fives to prove it.

7. Bowling shoes and skinny jeans don’t mix.  

No joke, I bought bootcut jeans just to wear to bowling.  That’s true dedication.

8.  People who listen to their iPods while they bowl are weird.

I thought bowling was all about socializing.  Or is that just me?

9.  Sitting at the table with the team is much much better than being a spectator sitting in the back.

Which is why I’ve gone to watch Joey bowl a total of 4 times in my life.

10.  Doing something that scares you can sometimes be really rewarding.

16 weeks ago, I was horrified that I had actually joined a bowling league.  And not just because it meant I’d have to wear dorky shoes and be seen with Joey and his rolling bowling ball bag, but because I don’t like to be on the spot.  The thought of having the eyes of people who actually know how to bowl and bowl well, on me while I do something I have barely any experience doing petrified me.  I may have complained and felt nervous every.single.week., but 16 weeks later, I can honestly say I’m so so glad I did it.

And really, pretty sad that it’s all over.