Boulder

What a wonderful day we had yesterday!  We are staying with our dear friends, Rachael and Evan, and found many friends here in Boulder, some visiting like us, some are just moved here.  We are only here 36 hours, though, so have not really had time to see people.  We rented and borrowed some bikes and spent the morning biking around the unbelievable bike paths, mostly along a rushing creek, dodging the amazing amount of walkers and bikers (and one skater) who use the paths.  It began to rain, and we found ourselves near a consignment store where we all got rain jackets and some extra layers.  We had lunch, and then got a surprise call from our friend Lauren, who moved to Colorado a month ago and happened to be in Boulder this afternoon.  She met us at Rachael and Evan's house where we ditched the bikes and dried off, and then we all went together for a tour of the Celestial Seasonings factory to get out of the rain.  Alex was in heaven... he's our tea-man.  We all enjoyed it... tastings, information about the history of this little hippie operation that is now an enormous (but still one factory, located only in Boulder) automated operation.  Our guide worked at the plant for 38 years, and was full of information.  We enjoyed the mint room, where our sinuses were cleared by the menthol in the tons and tons of peppermint leaves piled high in huge sacks floor to ceiling.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

Then we went back to Rachael and Evan's house where we all cooked dinner.  Alex made broccoli cheese soup and Jeremiah made garlic bread.  Jeremiah and Ellie harvested lettuce (and a couple of slugs) from Rachael and Evan's community garden plot down the street for our salad.  It was a warm and wonderful rainy day!

Next, onto the camping portion of the trip, and our last three days with Alex.