Last Friday I woke up bright and early and headed out to the airport for a quick trip to Colorado. My plane landed around 7 in the morning and I spent the day with my parents hanging in their garden. It was heaven.

About midday my favorite girl Jilly picked me up and we began the long drive up to Mak and Katie's place in Basalt.

We picked Mak's sister up along the way and spent the four hour drive catching up on everything that's happened since we made the trip last year; two weddings, one breakup, one new relationship, two new jobs, a new city and a new season of Top Chef for starters.

We pulled in to the drive and joined Mak out on the deck. The afternoon light made the mountains glow green. A soft breeze and a cold beer made for the perfect welcome.

We surprised Katie when she got home from work and headed out to celebrate her birthday.

It was all perfect. Well, except for one teeny, tiny thing...

I lived in Colorado for 29 years, after less than one year in Chicago I came home to unbelievable altitude sickness! I was out of commission for the rest of the night.