Pre-Wedding Weekend Getaway [Cripple Creek. Colorado]

As a means of celebrating our upcoming marriage, Kory's dad (Joe) and step mom (Debbie) came out to Colorado to visit us before we make our big move back to PA.  They generously booked us a room at a breathtaking bed and breakfast in which they planned to stay, in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Friday, after work, Kory and I hopped in the car, drove Sam to doggie care and headed on our way to Cripple Creek, Colorado - an old gold mining town, 125 miles south of Denver, population: 900, elevation: 2 miles.   The drive to the bed and breakfast included many sharply winding roads, both paved and dirt.  When we finally made it to the top of our final windy dirt road, we came to a hill consumed by a massive home, more like a modern day castle, labeled "Whispering Pines."  I'm pretty sure Kory had to lift his jaw off the dash before exiting the car, as did I. 

It was pitch black outside with the exception of a few dim lights that highlighted the mansion's massive picture windows and the twinkling stars, which appeared brighter than ever.  We grabbed our bags of personal essentials and eagerly headed to the house.  Kory's dad and his wife escorted us into the house where we waited for the inn keepers to check us into our room.  The scrawny man that appeared to be around 60 but acted as though he had the health issues of a 90 year old, by the name of "Ed" greeted us and took us to our room - "The Wildflower Room".  It was exquisite!  The oversized bed frame followed the grandeur of the home perfectly.  When I was done admiring the bed, my eyes immediately fell to the bathtub that was more like an eight-person hot tub!  When Ed finished introducing us to our room, and answering our irrelevant questions, he departed for bed.  We examined each detail of the luxurious room's decor then headed downstairs to see how Kory's dad's room compared. 

We spent a little bit of time chatting before we headed to our respective suites to get a good night's sleep in hopes of getting an early start the following day.  I was dying to see the view that was hidden in the darkness - the view that must have inspired the need for the walls of windows... so like a kid on Christmas Eve, with enthusiastic hesitation I tucked myself into the most beautiful bed I've ever slept in

We started our day with a delicious breakfast overlooking the magnificent rocky mountains.  After meeting innkeeper Ed's wife and getting to know the history of Whispering Pines (all 10,000 sq ft built by Ed and his wife's talented hands), we started our day by touring Mollie Catherine, a historic gold mine.  We traveled 1,000 feet underground to get a better understanding of the evolution of mining.  I had no idea how interesting a gold mine could be... I was pleasantly surprised and without a doubt have a new appreciation for those that go the distance to provide for their families, even when it means risking their lives.

After our underground tour we headed to a nearby ghost town where Debbie and Joe found themselves square dancing in the streets with a team of men and women dressed from the Victorian Era while Kory and I searched for something to tantalize our taste buds.  (We had worked up quite the appetite underground.) With our pulled pork sandwich and Navajo taco in hand, we took a seat on a curb as spectators to those brave enough to dance their hearts out in front of the rest of us. 

Next we followed Joe and Debbie to a vintage store that specialized in old western photos.  While they dressed up as a sheriff and a saloon girl we scavenged through the store's  treasures.  After our day of complete with adventures, we headed back to the B 'n' B to get ready for dinner and the community dance. 

Joe and Debbie made dinner reservations for the four of us at a steakhouse atop one of the town's biggest casinos that they'd discovered the previous night.  The food was incredible!  While the 3 amigos had steak, I ordered chicken rangoon and all I can say is YUM!  I could have sat there for hours and savored each delicious morsel but we had a dance to get to! 

The proud Punxsutawnians that they are, Joe and Debbie sported matching Punxsy Chuck face t-shirts to the dance.  These shirts brought a lot of curious looks and even more questions of, "What is on your shirt?  Is that a rabbit? A chipmunk?  A beaver?"  It was hilarious!  What a conversation starter!

We found ourselves to be some of the first people at the town dance.  We were surrounded by people of all ages from toddlers to senior citizens.  Most of the tiny town had to have been present.   We danced the night away, our dancing just a little wackier than usual since we were surrounded by complete strangers! :) 

The following day was full of little surprises.  We had another delightful breakfast before saying goodbye to Whispering Pines' beauty.  Heading out of town, Joe and Debbie decided to stop spontaneously at an old outlaw jail museum.  My initial response was to wait in the car while they explored.  Somehow I just ended up inside and so glad I did.  So much of the town's awesome history was revealed in our jail tour.  We learned about the laws that came about due to the existence of the gold mines.  This little unplanned adventure led to us touring a historic brothel from the late 1800s.  What an interesting experience!  These unplanned adventures gave us awesome insight to where this little mining town has been and how the world has evolved in the last 100 years.

Before leaving the "2 Mile High" town and heading back to the "Mile High City," we stopped for ice cream and a few last minute souvenirs.  Our first stop - Doggie Daycare to get our Sam.  Our second stop - our house to print their boarding passes.  And our third stop - Fogo De Chau for dinner.  And finally, we escorted Debbie and Ron to their hotel where they would stay for their last night in Colorado. 

The weekend was awesome!  We explored a sweet little ol' western town and an spectacular bed and breakfast, we probably would have never visited or even heard of, otherwise and loved every minute.  The lengths that our loved ones are going to, to make this pre wedding experience amazing for us is so humbling.  We could not ask for more love and kindness... one day at a time, as we get closer to our wedding day, I feel more blessed to get to call my future in laws mine!

Our weekend in photos...