Denver and Vail

The weekend was great. Got a lot to write about with this. I'll try to keep it short (or maybe I won't...I do what I want).

Denver
When we spent time in downtown Denver, I got to meet up with an old friend from high school. I haven't seen her since graduation day, literally. We spent quite a bit of time together in high school, doing band competitions, getting into trouble, whatever else. I was actually supposed to move into an apartment with her and go to GVSU, that was the plan before I visited SAU and it all got turned around. Annnyway...we got to catch up for like an hour or so at the bar and it was cool. It wasn't awkward at all (which I was kind of anticipating) and was actually kinda fun. In the time we spent talking I feel like I could have predicted almost exactly what she would be like. And I was right in my own head. I wonder if I add up to the trajectory other people have put on my future. Am I "turning out" how people, from high school or my past, expected or anticipated that I would? I kind of hope not. 

Vail
We rented snowshoes and went on a hike up the North Trail. We goofed around and had fun taking pictures. We decided to take a break and just sat, looking at the mountains, trees, valley, etc. The silence there is the most welcoming I've ever heard and experienced. Ah (sigh), loved it. Then we "shoed" back down and ran a mile (literally) to catch the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain (over 10,000 ft.). Loved the view from up there as the sun was finishing setting. I love the mountains. One thing I was thinking about today was that I think I came here expecting to feel a sense of freedom and I've gotten some of that. I don't think I've felt as much as I would like but I can still feel it somewhat strongly. Being surrounded by mountains today was so...could I say...healing? Not really sure, but that's the word that comes to mind. I think I needed to come here to "re-center" myself or to figure out if I really want to do all this "soul searching" I've been moving towards over the last however-many months. I think I can say yes to it here, but I'm not sure what it's going to look like when I get back. Will my walls go up again? Will I run and hide out of fear or anxiety? Will everything I'm running from on this trip, just be waiting for me when I walk through my bedroom door? I have a strong feeling that will be true, but I just won't stop running...