Denver or Bust - Mel turns 40!

First let me welcome any new followers... even if you are not officially following me - but like to find me and read my blog, I hope it inspires you to be true to yourself and travel the world too!

Now, lets talk a girls trip to Denver shall we? My girlfriends (and Jason) headed to Denver to celebrate Melissa's 40th birthday last weekend. Jenni and I flew out Saturday (everyone else flew out Friday). Jeff and Julie picked us up at the airport and we headed to Mels to hang out for a while.

Later we all headed to Evergreen, Colorado where Dawn and John were hosting a gathering for all of us (there were 9 of us total who flew in for this). On the way to their house we stopped at Red Rocks to see where Mel and Jeff will be married next June, and to the reception hall.

We all had our Cancer Sucks t-shirts on for a gorgeous shot up in the Red Rocks... what an amazing place! The Allman Brothers were playing so we were a bit out of place not being tailgaters...

We had a great night and headed back about Midnight down the long winding road of the mountains... thanks Jenni who got us home safely!

Sunday I knew I would be up early so Jason (also an early riser, but dating Heather who is not)and I made plans to meet at 7ish at Starbucks. We grabbed a Starbucks (herbal tea for me of course - no caffeine) and then headed out for a walk to scout out places for brunch.

We walked all over and asked a local the best place. SNOOZE - she said without hesitation.

So we walked back, and gathered Terry, Jenni and Heather. Walked to SNOOZE only to find an hour wait...ugh. At that point Jason and I had been up and walking around for hours- so we bailed and went to the place right next door to the Courtyard where we were staying... best decision ever!

We got seated and found out they had bottomless Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's.... enough said. We spent the morning into afternoon there drinking...it was a blast :)

Heather and I ran out of the bar when the firemen came collecting outside for the Jerry Lewis telethon... I mean come on- hot fire fighters doing good for MS.... of course we got out there! Jason just sat and laughed at us.

Eventually we all headed back to our rooms to get ready for Mels big birthday party (Sunday was her actually birthday - so a Sunday party it was!). We all made t-shirts with fun photos of her on them and gathered to celebrate HER :)

It was a really fun night and so nice to meet all the people in her life in Denver. She is blessed to have so many great people in her life :) We laughed a lot, shared some tears, and reinforced our wonderful connection of friendship.

I am reading the book The Girls from Ames right now - it is all about the amazing connection of women and how womens friendships are actually good for their health, how we support each other in ways that family and men rarely do. That we hold each other to being themselves... it reminds me of all the amazing women in my life that I am blessed to call friend.

This trip was just what I needed, and I think the others would say the same. We headed out early Sunday and were back home to enjoy our Labor Days at home... a bit hungover :)