What?! February is already over?

Hey friends! Hope February treated you well. Tom and I had another fun month in Colorado-mainly because we celebrated my birthday a zillion times. Fantastic! The Ochterski side of the family will be happy to know a birthday doughnut was included in the festivities, even though it wasn't captured on film...

It was another month of Colorado travel for us, with birthday trips to Garden of the Gods for hiking, Manitou Springs for cold soda spring water sippin', and Antero Hot Springs for hot water whole body dippin'. Best. Birthday. Ever. We've already made plans to head back to Antero-anyone want to join us?!

Check out the "heart" rock behind us at Garden of the Gods!

So beautiful to see!

Oh, and Smokey the Bear was hanging out there too!

Manitou Springs is a cute "tourist" town just south of Garden of the Gods. It's the home of the Cog Railway that takes you to the top of Pikes Peak-which we highly recommend when you come visit us next!

The "Avenue" B&B where we stayed. It was one of our favorite B&B's to date.

100% Gluten Free restaurant downtown-"Coquettes". Delicious!

Tom drinking from the public "soda" springs where "healing" mineral water thousands of years old bubbles out







From Manitou, we headed southwest to Antero Hot Springs. We drove through two national parks and the views were amazing. Then again, it's Colorado. I shouldn't have been surprised!

Traveling to Antero

 In Antero, we stayed at a private cabin (the "Cottonwood") that was the original post office of the town built in the early 1900's. Just outside our backdoor was our own private 108 degree hot spring that flowed down into the river running just behind the house. It was so relaxing! Nothing turns you into mush faster than going from snow to hot springs in less than 5 seconds.  Loved it!

the Cottonwood Cabin-highly recommended

barefoot in the snow on the way to soak

Tom cooking breakfast in the cabin

Our Antero view. We found a campsite nearby and plenty of hiking trails, so we'll be back when it gets warmer for sure!

We spent time hanging out and about in Denver, too. We made sure to get in a nice hike on my actual birthday. A while back I bought a book of hiking trails near Denver-Tom and I have made a good dent in it, but mostly in the cold and snow. I'm looking forward to Spring and starting the book all over again with a different landscape!

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Tom also got us tickets to see a temporary exhibit of Georgia O'keefe at the Denver Art Museum. It had a great video of her life and a range of her works from Ghost Ranch. Tom wasn't impressed but I continue to be in awe of her work. It was our first trip to the DAM since we moved here three years ago. We'll be back.

Tom turning the outdoor art in downtown Denver into a "performance" piece

Oh Georgia, how I love thee

fun buildings downtown near the museum

Babs, this one is for you! Another temporary exhibit called "Fox Games" brought to our attention by my mom-in-law during their last visit.

Even though it's been a mild winter here, we're ready for Spring to come. But not before we get in a few more weekends of powder. Watch for our update in March, "How the Ochtera's got their "ski"s back!"

Love to you all,
T&R