Week 6: Adventures, Festivals, and Unexpected Challenges

This weekend was a mix of relaxation, adventure, and a few unexpected hurdles. Here’s a glimpse into our eventful Week 6.

Saturday: Salida’s FibARK Festival

After our guests left on Saturday afternoon, we decided to seize the weekend and head to Salida for their annual FibARK festival that has been running for over 100 years. It was an exciting escape from the usual routine.

We started our adventure at Woody’s Distillery, where we enjoyed some incredible drinks.

With our spirits high, we headed to the river to watch the Hooligan Race, a quirky and fun highlight of the festival.

The evening was topped off with a delicious pizza at Amicas. To catch the sunset, we headed to the top deck at The Biker and Baker. The view was simply breathtaking.

As we were about to leave town, we stumbled upon The Velveteen, where live music was in full swing. The vibrant downtown area left us eager to explore more in the future.

Sunday: Father’s Day and a Relaxing Retreat

Sunday was Father’s Day, so I kicked off the day by making Mike a delicious healthy breakfast. We decided to make the most of the day by visiting Valley View Hot Springs, a serene spot about 1.5 hours from the ranch, owned and run by Orient Land Trust. The hot springs were a perfect way to unwind, though we respected their no-phone policy, so no pictures were taken.

A significant relief came with the news that the fire pre-evacuation alert had been lifted, and the fire was now 86% contained. A huge shoutout to the firefighters and all those who helped contain the blaze!

Monday: Dental Troubles

Monday took a challenging turn as Mike woke up with a severe toothache that had returned with a vengeance overnight. Thankfully, he managed to get a same-day appointment with a dentist in Salida. Unfortunately, the dentist couldn’t provide any relief and referred him to a specialist in Colorado Springs, about two hours away, for a potential root canal.

Tuesday: Preparations and Hopes

Tuesday was a busy day of laundry and packing for my upcoming trip to visit my Dad in New Brunswick, Canada. Mike’s pain continued to worsen, and he has an appointment scheduled in Colorado Springs early Wednesday morning. We are hopeful that the specialist can provide the much-needed relief.

Tomorrow, we’ll be hitting the road at 7 AM to get Mike to his appointment. Then, on Thursday, I’ll be leaving at 6:30 AM for Denver to catch my flight to Canada. Fingers crossed that Mike will be feeling better soon and can enjoy the beautiful summer days here while holding down the fort in my absence.

As always, life brings a mix of joy, adventure, and unexpected challenges. Here’s to hoping for a quick recovery for Mike and looking forward to more adventures upon my return.