abebehrmann
10-17-2016, 10:01 PM
A couple months ago, my girlfriend and I decided we wanted to take a trip to Colorado to see the sights, visit some friends of ours that live in the Denver area, and do a little camping. At the same time, we were trying to plan a wedding for ourselves. I'm not sure if you've ever had to do that, but DAMN is any and everything associated with a wedding ridiculously expensive, and as a result the decision making process was super stressful. After a few days of this, it finally dawned on me and I made my move.
"Hey, what do you think about just getting married in Colorado when we're there? We can have my friend, who is already ordained, marry us and then we could have a small celebration afterwards. It'll be relatively stress-free."
A little to my surprise (although it really shouldn't have been, I was marrying her after all), she was really into the idea so we got started planning. After a little research, we discovered that Colorado is one of the only states which has something called self solemnization where you're allowed to marry yourselves. You don't need a justice of the peace, a witness, or anything. You both go to the county clerk's office, show your IDs, promise you're not related, and sign on the dotted line and you're hitched. We decided that's what we were going to do. This is our trip.
We loaded up the XJ Tuesday night and left Dallas Wednesday morning. We drove up through Northern Texas, the Panhandle, and into Northeast New Mexico. I had never been in this part of the country before, but I immediately loved it.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg.html)
We kinda wanted to explore a little bit, but we had to make it to our campsite in Southern Colorado before sundown. We made it to Trinidad, CO and stopped and got a few supplies before heading to Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area about 45 minutes outside of town. On the way we saw elk, deer, wild turkey, and lots of little tiny chipmunks. We weren't quick enough, or skilled enough for that matter, with the camera to get any decent pics of them unfortunately.
Saw these hairy fellers in someone's front yard too.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg.html)
We made it into Spanish Peaks and were greeted by some rocky rutted trails. We weren't interested in camping next to others so we chose the roughest ones we could find, they weren't anything too difficult but they did allow me to pull the transfer case lever though. :D:D:D
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg.html)
And finally we found an awesome campsite on the top of the biggest hill in the park.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg.html)
Sunset
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg.html)
After a chilly night sleeping in the back of the XJ, we made our way back down the rocky trail and into Trinidad for Breakfast. Saw this Comanche outside the cafe we stopped at.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg.html)
After breakfast, we made our way towards Denver. On the way, we saw a sign for Garden of the Gods and we had to make a slight detour. It was definitely worth it.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg.html)
(You know, that sorta looks like a...)
After exploring Garden of the Gods, we headed farther north to our converted blacksmith shop Airbnb on the outskirts of Boulder.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg.html)
The next day, we woke up had coffee and headed to the county clerk's office to get our marriage license. We signed it right there in the office and it was official. We had brunch and then got ready for pictures on Bald Mountain. I think we clean up pretty good.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg.html)
After pictures we went out with some friends for dinner and drinks.
The next morning we loaded back up the XJ and headed back down to Texas, to Palo Duro Canyon just south of Amarillo.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg.html)
We made it in just after dark and woke up surrounded by awesome red canyons and hoodoos.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg.html)
After hiking around the canyons for a while, we packed up the Jeep once more and finally headed back to Irving. It was one of the best trips of my life. Cheers to many more. :beer:
"Hey, what do you think about just getting married in Colorado when we're there? We can have my friend, who is already ordained, marry us and then we could have a small celebration afterwards. It'll be relatively stress-free."
A little to my surprise (although it really shouldn't have been, I was marrying her after all), she was really into the idea so we got started planning. After a little research, we discovered that Colorado is one of the only states which has something called self solemnization where you're allowed to marry yourselves. You don't need a justice of the peace, a witness, or anything. You both go to the county clerk's office, show your IDs, promise you're not related, and sign on the dotted line and you're hitched. We decided that's what we were going to do. This is our trip.
We loaded up the XJ Tuesday night and left Dallas Wednesday morning. We drove up through Northern Texas, the Panhandle, and into Northeast New Mexico. I had never been in this part of the country before, but I immediately loved it.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg.html)
We kinda wanted to explore a little bit, but we had to make it to our campsite in Southern Colorado before sundown. We made it to Trinidad, CO and stopped and got a few supplies before heading to Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area about 45 minutes outside of town. On the way we saw elk, deer, wild turkey, and lots of little tiny chipmunks. We weren't quick enough, or skilled enough for that matter, with the camera to get any decent pics of them unfortunately.
Saw these hairy fellers in someone's front yard too.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg.html)
We made it into Spanish Peaks and were greeted by some rocky rutted trails. We weren't interested in camping next to others so we chose the roughest ones we could find, they weren't anything too difficult but they did allow me to pull the transfer case lever though. :D:D:D
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg.html)
And finally we found an awesome campsite on the top of the biggest hill in the park.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg.html)
Sunset
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg.html)
After a chilly night sleeping in the back of the XJ, we made our way back down the rocky trail and into Trinidad for Breakfast. Saw this Comanche outside the cafe we stopped at.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg.html)
After breakfast, we made our way towards Denver. On the way, we saw a sign for Garden of the Gods and we had to make a slight detour. It was definitely worth it.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg.html)
(You know, that sorta looks like a...)
After exploring Garden of the Gods, we headed farther north to our converted blacksmith shop Airbnb on the outskirts of Boulder.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg.html)
The next day, we woke up had coffee and headed to the county clerk's office to get our marriage license. We signed it right there in the office and it was official. We had brunch and then got ready for pictures on Bald Mountain. I think we clean up pretty good.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg.html)
After pictures we went out with some friends for dinner and drinks.
The next morning we loaded back up the XJ and headed back down to Texas, to Palo Duro Canyon just south of Amarillo.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg.html)
We made it in just after dark and woke up surrounded by awesome red canyons and hoodoos.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg.html)
After hiking around the canyons for a while, we packed up the Jeep once more and finally headed back to Irving. It was one of the best trips of my life. Cheers to many more. :beer: