Unexcused Absences

Canyon Rim

While Kent was away on his secret mission to France, I took a girls’ weekend trip with my friend Susan, whose husband Greg was also away traveling. Saturday promised to be the first really warm day of the year — at least at elevations lower than Avon, CO. Doing what Colorado girls do on a girls’ weekend, Susan packed up her camping gear and invited me along. We headed about three hours away to Colorado National Monument, an intensely canyoned area — sort of like a mini Monument Valley or Bryce Canyon.

Godzilla

Now, Susan and her husband camp in style. They own a converted green cargo van, aptly named Godzilla, that takes car camping to a whole new level. Godzilla teems with cubbies and storage hidey holes filled with an array of gadgets and devices that make camping like home. The van has everything — and I do mean everything! Sleeping bags, comfy pillows, a stove, lawn chairs, real cutlery and plates all await the happy camper.

Since Godzilla had everything imaginable needed for a camping trip,  I figured I would be a decent house (van) guest and bring some nice wine. I knew we would probably run into some friends who were camping in the same area, and I packed accordingly (they are sailors after all). When she arrived to pick me up, Susan ominously eyed the bag I brought containing four bottles of wine and said, “I hope you’re thirsty.”

Ute Canyon

We arrived at the Colorado National Monument Visitor’s Center and I immediately changed into shorts and a tank top. Shorts! I hadn’t worn shorts since the previous summer.  The sun and wind felt wonderful on my skin. About 90 seconds later I realized that my milky-white shoulders were about to sunburn and I opted for a long-sleeved top.

Susan Hiking

We quickly walked along the Canyon Rim visitor trail, taking in the dramatic views. We decided to hike the Ute Canyon Trail, and drove out along the canyon rim for about 10 miles or so to the trail head. We descended steeply into a red rock canyon where we were surrounded by huge rock formations. Susan filled me in on some geology as we hiked along the gently sloping canyon floor as the it widened around us. We noticed the tiniest green shoots of grass and still pools of water as we passed over the sandy canyon floor. After a few hours of enjoying the flora and fauna, we turned around, ascended the steep canyon wall and headed to the campground.

Chef Susan

We had our choice of campsites, and choose one with a lovely view out over the valley. We relaxed in lawn chairs during happy hour before cooking a delicious meal of mushroom ravioli. We proceeded NOT to drink the 4 bottles of wine I brought. Oh well, if a spontaneous party had broken out at the campground we would have been prepared! We laid our sleeping bags across the platform in the back and tucked in for a cozy night in the van. No tent camping for these girls — we camped in style!

Gourmet Breakfast

Girls tend to cook when they spend time together, and Sunday morning’s breakfast was a gourmet affair. Susan began by slicing apples and sauteing them with cinnamon. Out came the griddle and soon we enjoyed fluffy pancakes topped with those apples, all complimented by fresh strawberries and real maple syrup.

We were just finishing the last of our food when Susan looked up and noted a large black storm on the horizon. We knew that there was a possiblity of bad weather, so we started to gather our things and stow them in the van. The storm arrived rapidly. The mass of black clouds came so quickly we finished cleaning up by literally throwing dirty dishes and the camping stove into the back of the van as the first cold, fat raindrops began to fall.  The camping trip was over.

The Camping Look

We stopped for lunch in Edwards at the Riverwalk where several inches of snow had already accumulated and spent the afternoon shopping. It was a girls’ weekend after all! My crocs clogs, hoody, down puff and baseball hat all looked fine in the outdoor boutiques we visited. We even looked vaguely acceptable in the clothing stores in an outdoorsy-meets-car-mechanic sort of way. However, the clerk’s eyes widened at my I’m-here-to-fix-your-diesel look when we entered the high-end cosmetics store. She rallied admirably and helped Susan find the appropriate mascara. We explained we’d been camping, but were forced inside to shop because of the snow. That earned us a smile.

The 24 hours of hiking and camping in warm, summer-like weather seemed like a dream as Susan dropped me off at the condo in Avon late Sunday afternoon. Snow fell quickly and thickly. I carried my gear and three remaining bottles of wine through the snow with excitement. Monday was going to be a powder day!