Sunday, May 18, 2008

One of my best Georgia friends and I conspired several weeks ago to meet to celebrate our May birthdays. When I invited Debbie to join me for the Beth Moore Living Proof Conference in Colorado Springs the first weekend in May, she couldn't resist. The weatherman fore casted a strong spring snow storm the day she was to arrive. She was shocked when she flew into a snowy Denver. We found a quaint little town, Castle Pines, CO off the interstate and ate a yummy lunch at Tony's, a gourmet grocery, bakery and deli.
Castle Rock, CO and Pike's Peak were barely visible. We were enveloped in a snow-filled cloud. The trip south was slow, but we had plenty of catching up to do, so we did not complain too much.

We stayed at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. It was wonderful! I hope to take Kelly and Dylan there someday.
The view from our hotel parking lot when we arrived (above). The view from our hotel balcony the next morning (below).
The next morning we visited the Garden of the Gods. I do not know how someone can deny there is a God when you stand in the shadow of such awe-inspiring rock formations and Pike's Peak in the distance.

We decided to check out nearby Manitou Springs. It is at the foot of Pike's Peak and the home of the historic cog railroad. We were especially intrigued by the locally mined stones and jewelry creations. We each chose a piece to take home. We would have enjoyed a closer investigation, but our trip was cut short when my Cheyenne friends called to let us know they had arrived in the Springs.

Afterwards, we met two of my best Wyoming friends---Kathy Cordell and Kathy Sanford at the Focus on the Family headquarters. We were thankful they made it to Colorado Springs safely since the highways out of Cheyenne were closed shortly after they left. Later that morning Cheyenne had a whiteout with the blowing snow. I think our husbands were wishing they were with us instead--rather than stuck in a blizzard with our children!! Yes, it was May. Afterwards, we feasted at PF Changs before we headed to the World Arena for the first session of the Beth Moors Conference. It was quickly evident that God has message for each of us.

The conference ended at noon the next day. After a lunch with the girls, we all headed back to Cheyenne. Kelly and Dylan were glad to see us and treated us to a steak dinner. The next morning we attended church together. Unfortunately, we had to take Debbie to Denver to meet her flight the next morning. We toured downtown Denver including the 16th Street Mall and enjoyed dinner at Maggiano's, where Kelly and I had one of our first dates. We allowed Dylan to swim at Debbie's pool (compliments of the La Quinta Inn) before we said our heartfelt goodbyes and returned to Wyoming to begin another week.