Even the knowledge that I am back at my work desk staring two of what I’m sure will be the toughest, most hectic and frustrating weeks of my time at Adams State in the face is not enough to put my in a foul mood right now. I attribute this largely to the fact that since the arrival of my Melissa and I’s moms into town last Saturday, I have had a blast, and those lingering positive vibes have got me feeling as optimistic and positive as I have in months.

THE SABBATH - On which we visited Santa Fe, N.M.

The time that our moms were visiting us was an awseome adventure in itself, which began with a Sunday trip to Santa Fe, still one of my favorite places in the world to visit. I really enjoy the fact that the 2 1/2-3 hour drive from Alamosa to Santa Fe has replace ”the usual” drive for Melissa and I which used to be the 5+ hours from Detroit to Chicago - this one is waaaaay more scenic, and shorter. The weather was great, except for maybe a little on the warm side, but was just fine for walking around the old downtown. We lolligagged our way up Canyon Road and checked out a bunch of the art, before finding what I would say was one of the top outdoor dining experiences of my life at the Tea House. Not only was the atmosphere nice for a light lunch and some conversation, but the Super Broccoli Slaw Salad was great, and lavendar lemonade is something I’m gonna need to get a hold of again soon.

Lunch was followed by some more walking and then a stop at Kakawa Chocolates on the way out of town for a couple of sipping chocolates and some truffles for the road. I never imagined Melissa and I would be in a place where we felt okay with spending $3 apiece on truffles, but these things are just too good not to…two words: Wasabi truffles. So good!

MONDAY - On which we spent a long, but well worth it, day in the car.

Monday saw us spending more time in the car, but some of the most scenic time I’ve ever spent in a car. We made our way up to Glenwood Springs in two cars, where we stopped for a bite to eat with Melissa’s mom before she had to finish her trip back past Maybell, Colorado. We made our way up through the desert-like landscape of the San Luis Valley, past the enormous peaks like Mount Elbert and Massive of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests and through the red canyon walls and lush greenery of the White River National Forest. Seeing so many completely different mountain environments, along with driving through Leadville, had the ultra geek going crazy. It all served to remind me of why and how much I love running in the mountains. The chance to cover so much ground and experience so much more than one could during a day of walking in the mountains. Though my chances to run in the mountains has been limited, I know that I’ve been able to go to so many places - some so incredibly remote - that I never would have been able to get to had I only been walking. And driving through Leadville, easily one of the most historic towns connected to ultra running, reminded of the toughness and grit that I love about running in rough conditions.

Old photo of Leadville, Colorado. Except for being in color, driving through didn’t look a whole lot different.

The Glenwood Springs warm pool and the best view from a pool ever.

After a satisfying bite to eat and a couple of growlers to go (Grizzly Creek Raspberry Wheat and Canyon Trail Pale Ale) from the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company, Melissa, my mom and I walked the town for a bit before taking a dip in the awesomely warm waters of the Glenwoody hot springs pool, and then hit the road back to Alamosa. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to treat my mom to any UFO fly-bys as we crossed Valley from North to South after dark…Dang.

TUESDAY - On which we did the Dunes.

Mom and I hit up Zapata Falls and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve on Tuesday. I already appreciated the area from the time I’ve spent there before, but I’ve never done the touristy Visitors Center of the Dunes before this. The chance to learn about the unique habitat of the Dunes has really increased my appreciation for this park. It’s fascinating the kind of things that happen at the Dunes. Yet for as cool as the Dunes are, I had never heard of them before moving to Alamosa. Really, this place should be a must visit to those passing through Colorado, but unfortunately gets overshadowed by so many things.

Tuesday wrapped up with having James and Rebecca over for burgers on the grill and to meet my mom, so we could prove to my mom that unlike last year in Detroit, we have actually made friends.

WEDNESDAY - On which we discovered Creede.

Wednesday we hit the road for a bit, though much shorter than the first two day trips. Ditching the original plans of heading to Colorado Springs, which I think ended up being for the best, we decided instead on paying a visit to the old mining town of Creede, Colorado. And talk about a hidden gem…holy cow! The trip gave us another awesome drive of views along the Silver Thread Scenice Byway, which deposits right in Creede and beyond to Lake City if you should feel so inclined. We headed by the community center/mining museum and gift shop to nose around for a bit, and then walked the few blocks that make up downtown. Though tiny, the downtown is pretty gorgeous - and who woulda thunk that Creede has been listed as one of the top-100 art towns in the nation, and that the Creede Repertory Theater is considered one of the best waaay off broadway places to view a show in the U.S. Combine that with the amount of camping in the nearby area, and I’m sure Melissa and I will be making a return trip this summer.

THURSDAY - On which (sigh) I returned to the office.

A full four days of adventure later, I was back in the office on Thursday while my mom rested up and Melissa did some of her grad school work before the two left back to Illinois on Friday. Rats! It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t great either. I was kept going through the day by the knowledge that at the end of it the three of us would be heading out for my birthday dinner, which we spent in very low-key form at the San Luis Valley Pizza Company, home of some delicious - but pricey - pies.

FRIDAY - On which Melissa and my mom depart.

Melissa and my mom hit the road early in the morning, leaving me all alone for at least a week and a half while she runs the Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay next weekend.

But, as I mentioned, I’m feeling better about things than I have in a while, no doubt to some lingering positivity accumulated with the visits of our moms. Additionally, the weather has been staying nice pretty consistently, and it looks I am finally going to be able to visit the SLV Pro-Center of sports medicine doctors. I just signed the release today to have my records from the other doc I visited sent over, so by early next week I should have an appointment set up. Also, now two weeks into immobilization and wearing this walking boot, I’m not really even feeling much in the achilles area when I wake up and walk around the morning. Maybe this is a sign of something healing that wasn’t before, or maybe this is just what happens when the achilles is not being used; either way, I’m feeling good about this and hopeful that a return to running will happen before too long. Fingers are most certainly crossed.