Benver

Dear Baby,

Again, this post is coming a bit behind schedule, and I’m mad at myself for not writing it sooner. As you know, in March I went out to Denver to visit Uncle Ben. I was nervous for this trip mainly because your uncle is not the type to “go easy” on people. Most times when you visit Uncle Ben, you will feel as though you are competing in a triathlon. Grandpa Steve and Grandma Tracy assured me that this trip would be different as Uncle Ben would be concerned for your well-being, but I had my doubts, because I know that even Ben’s “toned down” version is still an aggressive day for your average Joe.

Case in point: Denver, Day 1. I have a very early morning flight (see: How to Fly while Pregnant), land in Denver at around noon, and we go straight to Estes Park. It’s a gorgeous park; the elk are out and Ben picks a nice out-and-back flat hike. I’m feeling pretty good by the time we reach the turnaround point and have our little snack on a rock, and Ben says, “Are you sure you don’t want to do the full loop?” We’re about 2 miles in. The entire loop is 6 miles. Oh, Ben. And I eventually give in. Because it’s Uncle Ben.

It was completely beautiful and worth the extra miles, but Ben’s punishment was we had to go to bed at 8PM and miss the tour of the “Shining” hotel. That evening I was practically falling asleep in my tacos.

Beautiful Estes Park.
But you have to ask yourself:
Who is tiring out who here?

Day 2 we had a long drive ahead of us (about 5 hours) from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs (ski resort). I was feeling pretty good that it would be nice and relaxing as I’d have him trapped in his truck, but then of course the afternoon activity we decided on was a snowmobile tour. To save money, we rented a “two-sy” snowmobile and Ben assured me he would be extra careful. Famous last words. Why I thought Uncle Ben would be leisurely on a snowmobile is beyond me.

We got to this meadow which the tour guide designated as the place that we could “let loose,” and I offered to get off while Uncle Ben had his fun. He promised me it would be fine, but after ONE loop around the field I punched him in the back and demanded off! There wasn’t much to argue about, we just have very different definitions of “it will be fine.” I don’t mean to poo on the tour. We had a blast, and I’m glad I did it. There were parts that were a little bumpy, and the gas fumes had me concerned, but your mother is an experienced snowmobile rider, and I simply stood up to absorb the shock so as not to jostle you. Then I decided against googling the risk of snowmobiles and pregnancy obsessively.

That night, to make up for my “holding Ben back,” I agreed to serve as DD. Uncle Ben was having a grand old time at the bar, and wasn’t happy at my 11PM curfew, but hey, that is a nice compromise considering the previous evening was 8PM.

The drive from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs,
through the canyon roads and into the mountains, was simply breathtaking.
It was an activity in and of itself.
But let me tell you--there are not many places to stop for pee breaks!

Our snowmobile tour guide, Yonas, was awesome.
That one of him taking a selfie is all of us at the Continental Divide.
Look how menacing Uncle Ben looks on that snowmobile.
And look at those TERRIBLE helmets without face masks. Bush league.

Day 3 was ski day. I put an immediate kibosh on the notion that we would be skiing together. Uncle Ben was hesitant to abandon me, but when you pay so much money and you are at one of the most amazing ski mountains in the world, you have to abandon your chivalry for pregnant ladies and go do your thing. It worked out. I stuck to the green trails for most of the morning, but after doing the trail “Why Not?” about seven times, I needed more of an angle than 175 degrees. I did some blue trails, ever so carefully. It was a beautiful day. We were skiing in upper 60-something degree temperatures and at the base of the mountain you didn’t even need a jacket. We met for lunch, and did one run to the top of the mountain together, once we mapped out how to get down while avoiding all black diamonds. There was one terrifying moment when I realized the lift I went up didn’t have a safety bar (honestly, why would they do that?!), but you and I got through the day safe and sound.

The view from the top of the mountain is astounding.
Mountains for days.
Steamboat Springs is by far the most "small town" of the resorts.
It is literally in the middle of nowhere.

That night, Uncle Ben and I drove to Vail—a much fancier downtown urban-professionals-go-to-the-mountain type scene (I’d say Steamboat is more family friendly and low key). We had a refined dinner in Vail Village, Ben with his wine and I with my Shirley Temple, and I was on celebrity lookout (I didn’t see any). We stayed the night in Eagle and by Day 4 I was extremely proud of myself for conquering a hike, snowmobile ride, and ski session in three days with you in my womb.

On Day 4, Uncle Ben took me to Red Rock—an outdoor concert venue which oddly becomes a sort of crazy gym for Coloradans in the off season—and then we toured around Boulder. I spent the night in downtown Denver, and the next day went to the hotel spa while Uncle Ben went to work (this was much needed). I met him for lunch, and then headed back to the dreaded airport, where I put my chemical warfare mask back on.

Upper left: Our respective drinks of choice. Shirley Temple for me,
And Uncle Ben's extremely manly Appletini for himself.
All other pictures are at Red Rock.
In the background, the crazy workout junkies are doing leap frog up the seating area.

Upper Picture: Uncle Ben in Boulder.
Lower Pictures: I splurged a little on my Denver hotel after a weekend in the mountains.
I don't regret it.
Breakfast in bed and seriously--the best Pancake I have ever had.

Denver was an amazing trip, and I can’t wait to take you. Everyone keeps telling me I need to take a “babymoon,” but with everything your father and I have going on, and the Zika virus present in all tropical locations, I think this was pretty much it (sadly, your father wasn’t there, but we do what we can). Uncle Ben was an excellent host—we covered a lot of ground and it was great to see him. But I must say, having a 12 week ultrasound two days after I got back and seeing you in there active, moving around, and looking great was prett-y relieving!

Two more weeks until the Great Gender Reveal!

Love,

Mom