The first "summer" weekend...

I'd classify this weekend as a classic summer weekend...soaking up (almost literally) some of the fun summer events around Denver and taking a weekend trip to the parentals cabin. The weather in Denver has been quite interesting lately, with severe weather every afternoon for the past week or so...we're even "above" our average rainfall which really doesn't happen here. I'm sure I'll be complaining in July when it is DRY and HOT, but I'm ready for this weather pattern to shift!

On Friday night, Shannon and I headed to the Botanic Gardens "Grapes and Hops" event. It was kind of chilly and drizzly, and it took them a while to figure out how to push people through the lines for the grapes and hops, but the food was fantastic! Burgers, salads, chips and salsa, lasagna, cupcakes, pulled pork sandwiches, noodles and the best part, the most amazing crepes. We definitely got our money's worth in the food department! It should be noted that Shannon is doing her second Ironman (if you don't know what it is, look it up, you'll be impressed) next weekend...GOOD LUCK SHANNON!

Shannon and myself post-crepes...delightfully stuffed.

On Saturday I made my almost annual trip down to the parentals cabin. I always make them mix up their routine a bit, so we stopped at the Royal Gorge (which was something I needed to check off my "I've seen it" list). It was pretty cool...we took a steep incline railway down to the bottom of the gorge where you can really appreciate the marvel of the bridge. We then walked across the bridge to enjoy the sites from 1,053 feet high.

I like this "candid" shot of my mom looking at my dad like he's crazy.

The bottom of the incline railway looking up...

Now that I work for an engineering company, I think stuff like this is fascinating...that is what is left of the old wooden pipeline that would deliver water to Canon City...now THAT is what they call in the biz "aging infrastructure."

The Royal Gorge Bridge from the bottom of the gorge...

Me, mid-bridge. I need a haircut and a tan, but I like the pic non-the-less.

1,053 feet straight down...

After bridge time, we headed to Canon City and visited the historic abbey that is there...you're probably wondering why we did this, and the truth is that it was because there is a winery attached (The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey). They have some pretty delicious wines to tell you the truth, and some gorgeous "packaging." They import most of their grapes from Palisade and California, and call their vineyard a "show vineyard." New to my "bucket list" is to have a show vineyard.

The "show" vineyard.

On the way home we stopped at the outlets...those who know me well know that I very rarely shop outside of my comfort zone of Target and Kohls, but I managed to get a pair of pants and shirt at each the Gap and Banana Republic and only spent $65. Bargain!

It was a fun weekend hampered only by the afore-blogged-about funnel cloud over my house and of course, the fact that I have to go to work tomorrow. I really need to figure out my new camera as well, but I think I got some good shots...all the pics are here.

The parentals at the cabin.

A 3-week-old miniature horse!

Morning in the Sangre de Cristo's...