Colorado Summer 2022

Arriving to America was a virulent and sad affair. The Embassy held its usual Independence Day Celebration shortly before many families departed the country, resulting in many of us getting sick with upon arrival. It later became known as The Great 2022 Tashkent Super Spreader Extravaganza. We tried to avoid spreading it, but it also got to my parents (whom I am indebted to for their forgiveness). As if the multi-day trip wasn't hard enough, we also received news from my dad that our dog, Jim, had to be put to sleep after getting bitten by a rattlesnake outside their house. He lived a fabulous 15 years, the last two of which he lived with my parents because, well, pandemics ruin everything. Jim was a very good boy.

We made the best of it, leaning hard into the excitement and joy of reuniting with my family after two years. Everyone's health eventually improved, and we did all the Colorado things we possibly could, starting with massive amounts of bike riding. I maaaaay have purchased a new road bike (n+1, people) so obviously, we HAD to ride. Every day. Up mountains. Through snow, rain, wind, and very affronted drivers. Other activities included hiking, beer drinking, and rafting, roller skating, Pride, but the familying and friending was where we made serious efforts to make up for lost time.

Foreign Service allows us to make friends throughout the world, but the range in Colorado feels especially unique, probably because we crossed numerous paths in one location: childhood peeps, family friends,  university cronies, Denver stoop chums, pals from soccer, and those we made through skiing. My brother and his wife (another ski-nurse-friend) hooked up after I forced them to eat corn chowder while watching the AFC Championship on a 16" tv in my tiny Denver condo 16 years ago. Now they live in Montana with our niece and nephew, but they came down for a REAL family reunion! It's a tradition I look forward to keeping, considering it was only second time the kids got to connect with their cousins. 

Centennial Cone Park

Denver Pride 

Jim loved the snow.

Breckenridge.

Margo's 1st MLS game,
followed by the state's largest fireworks show.

Uncle Gabe!

Turning 12 and 45 means you must 
celebrate with white water rafting.

Meow Cat with my bestie.

Fireworks from the Colorado Rapids pitch.

Cousins!