Greetings from Denver

I’m not sure I have ever been so thankful to not have a nose bleed.

Not that I’m a chronic nose-bleeder. It just isn’t something I would ever be particularly looking forward to, especially when it may be something I expect.

I say this because I’m in Denver, Co., and currently sitting at an elevation of 5,656 feet. At least, that’s what the shiny plate next to the elevator in our hotel lobby says.

Putting that into perspective paired with my recent summer adventures, that’s more than 4.5 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other like pancakes.

All I need is syrup.

Oh, and the thing about Colorado? Mountains.

Excuse me, I mean MOUNTAINS.

They’re ginormous! These grand guardians surveying the surrounding land and trumping over everything because they can. Kind of like a middle school bully.

Only I think these mountains would be nice because they’re so beautiful – unless you ran into one or fell flat on your face while exploring. Then it might not be so kind.

Regardless, as my dad and I were driving to our hotel yesterday, the view before us was straight-up MOUNTAINS. You don’t get that anywhere.

And I’ve seen a glimpse of the peaceful mountains in Tennessee and even in Italy, but these Rockies take the cake.

When I first looked at these giant mounds of molded rock, and admittedly every sequential glance, I thought about how absolutely amazing God is. His grandeur speaks for itself.

As neat as the buildings and architectures created by man can be, nothing compares to God’s artistry. After all, the ability to make anything we make was given to us by God himself.

Which is pretty cool, I think.

“You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.” – Psalm 65:5-7

So far, I’ve been working on a lot of things away from home whilst I’ve been here. I’m getting a sort of peace from it, and definite enjoyment. Just knowing that God encompasses beyond the stretches of the mountains is incomprehensible, but enough to grasp at the same time.

I find it interesting that I think of God every time I spy a mountain or the leaves changing on the trees. Blissful reminders of his love are everywhere.

I can only hope it could be said of me someday that I am a reminder of God’s love and glory. I’m working on that.

Interesting things about Colorado so far:

1. The Denver International Airport train is fun. It plays music when it stops for boarding and exiting. Keeps it fun.
2. MOUNTAINS.
3. The weather is fantastic so far.
4. Apparently, you’re supposed to drink a lot of water so you don’t shrivel up, I’m assuming. Hopefully Starbucks accomplishes the same sort of deed…
5. The road names change mid-road every 50 yards. Seriously. The GPS can’t even compensate for that sort of confusion.
6. If I say “I’m high,” it’s literal, not in the bad sense. Come on, people.
7. Everything is named after some element of nature. The coffee brand in the hotel room is “Pure Elevation.” I’m sorry – what? And you bet they chose to have Caribou Coffee in the airport over Starbucks.
8. Remember when you bake something from a Betty Crocker box and it has that high elevation option for the temperature and cooking time? Yeah, I haven’t been able to try that, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
9. If you spill your coffee on your copy of the Denver Post, you’re a loser.
10. Everyone bikes, jogs or runs. It makes me want to be healthy, but I fear my lack of acclamation to the elevation may make me keel over before I accomplish anything.

So…how’s the weather down there?

Always wanted to say that.