Hazel had to come back home somehow and it's a funny thing- airlines still don't allow 4-year-olds to fly by themselves. So Mom brought her back and got to enjoy Cattlemen's Days in Gunnison and some other touristy activities I had been waiting to try. You know, those activities you always kind of want to do but feel the need to wait until family is in town to try? Yeah, those.
First though, the most important activity of the weekend: the Cattlemen's Days Parade. Hazel proudly represented Western State Colorado University and hoarded all of the candy she was supposed to throw at spectators. And I'll tell you what- she has MASTERED the princess wave.
After the parade was THE rodeo. Damn, I love rodeos. The guts and the skills required to compete well? Its awe-inspiring to me. Add in the fact that the riders and ropers could end up with a bad bull or horse that night and their luck is over before they even start? That's the makings of good drama. And a good time for this former city girl who has no interest in horses, ranching, cows or any of that.
The rodeo was packed. Hazel refused to sit on her own- as in, not in Brian or I's laps- and was super clingy the entire time. Combined with keeping Tygh occupied, I felt the need to have NO ONE TOUCH ME NO COME NEAR ME EVER AGAIN afterwards. You know that feeling? That feeling can strike frequently once you have two kids. Just sayin'.
Sunday morning, I snuck away for a Hartman ride with Cassie. It was one of those mornings where dragging yourself out of bed seems impossible but you know someone is waiting for you so you better get your ass out there ASAP.
And we had such a fantastic ride. We saw no one, the air was cool and still and the trails were tacky from recent rains. I was feeling all zen-like until I flatted. We subsequently spent the next 45 minutes attempting to inflate my replacement tube. For some odd reason which I still don't understand, the multiple pumps we tried failed to seal to the valve. I have changed plenty of flats in my cycling career and I like to think I know what I am doing when it comes to flat repair. This made for an increased level of frustration with my #$%& tube (Cassie rides a 29er so she couldn't make a tube contribution).
We were about 2 seconds away from bailing before two things happened: Cassie realized she had been sitting in a cactus the entire time, thus coining the term "Cactus Butt" and another ride came upon us, gave us her tube and proceeded to join our ride.
All's well that ends well, I suppose. I was about to hike to the nearest road when I was miraculously save AND I made a new cycling friend. BAM!
I came home in time to drag my mom out of bed and up to Lake Irwin. Bravo to my mom for surviving the drive on dirt roads with a headache, a truck with crappy shocks and a daughter who probably takes all of the curves too fast.
We caught the tail end of the wildflowers and having now seen the beginning, middle and tail end of the wildflowers here, I will say that Crested Butte's title of "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" is very well justified.
I got to have my mom all to myself for several hours and really, I can't tell you the last time that happened. I'm one of 4 kids and my parents now have 4 grandkids. Combine that with my mom's medical issues during the last ten years and it's been hard to spend quality time with her. It's funny that no matter how old you get, you still crave time and attention from your parents. I got it on our trip to Lake Irwin and I felt so lucky to have her as my mom.
Never one to let anyone rest, I took Mom on the Morrow Point boat tour down the lower end of the Gunnison River. It would have been awesome- if I didn't have to deal with a baby in a life jacket. Mom helped, which made a big difference but man. Next time I do this, I am leaving the baby at home. We sleep trained both of our kids- they fall asleep in their own rooms in their own beds without a problem. Which is so rad. Except when you're out and about and you want your baby to take a nap. Then it's not rad because the baby does NOT want to be held. The baby wants you to put him in a room away from other people where he can fall asleep on his own. Even his car seat or a bike trailer would do. But holding him? NO WAY. Add a life jacket in to the mix and the screaming is guaranteed, even from a very laid-back, happy-go-lucky baby such as Tygh.
He did eventually fall asleep for a whopping 15 minutes (he generally takes 2 naps a day of 2 hours each), leaving me with 15 minutes of peace and some very tired arms. Ah, parenthood.
Hazel was a trooper, completing the hike in to and out of the canyon with zero whining or complaining and beating me up the stairs. Granted, I was carrying her 17lb. brother in the Ergo but still. There are 232 stairs.
Afterwards, I had to send Mom off on her merry way which I am sure made her very happy. She missed Dad and her bed and the quiet, I know. I was sad to see her go. She says they'll be back in the fall and I am counting the days.
