high altitude birthday

Today I celebrated my birthday in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I’m at 7,790’ here in Ouray’, surrounded on all sides by peaks ranging from Stony Mountain at 12,698’ Potosi Peak at 13,786’ and Mt. Emma at 13,581’,

My day began with confetti texts from some of my family. Then throughout the day wonderful texts and calls from more family and friends. Also from my doctor, dentist, eye clinic and physical therapist. The number of latter texts goes along with being 82.

My sister gifted me with a bag of delightful gifts, and then coffee.

Mojo’s for coffee. After I ordered a Flat White, I discovered that Sara, the barista, was sharing this birth day. That was fun. We enjoyed our bond of the day with good conversation.

After coffee my sister and I set off to walk a short distance to Box Canyon Falls. Altitude and old knees soon required a car ride to the visitors center. From there it was a reasonably short distance to the grated walkways that took us through the box canyon. It was awesome!

All that effort made us hungry. My birthday meal was burgers and fries at Maggie’s. Greasy and delicious.

Later in the day I enjoyed my “cake” – ice cream!

We ended the day with a drive up Camp Bird Road alongside the Umcompahgre River. This may have been the best part about celebrating a birthday in Ouray, Colorado.

It’s been a wonderful day. Filled with love, joy, awe, connection; laughter and wonder. And sustenance of food, sights, and sounds. Blessings beyond measure.