Fragabond

I have been resisting a LOTR-themed title for 8 weeks now, and it is finally time. Appropriately time, since the new Amazon series began this month (I like it, ok? It is stunning, and it is a riff on my favorite story ever, so I refuse to be a harsh critic. $1B well spent…probably). Also, we spent the week following my Jupiter interlude in Golden, CO ☺︎

Zack picked me up at the Denver airport and immediately informed me that he bought a giant two-person inner-tube because “the thing” to do in Golden (only ~20 minutes from Denver) was apparently to tube down the river that runs through the town. Honestly, I am still surprised that this was the hook, but after the first 30-minute river-ride, I also wonder if Zack has ever before exhibited such pure happiness? I have no pictures.

The absolute highlight of the time in Golden was the Brandi Carlile concert we attended at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. We ate sandwiches in the car trunk in the parking lot, and the performance and venue were pretty much indescribable. It rained, but I think it made the experience even more tangible.

Otherwise, we took it easy. Golden is quaint and very walkable. I had schoolwork to catch up on, and Zack was busier with work than normal, so almost every day we walked down the hill from our Airbnb to the same coffeeshop and put our heads down for a few hours. We tubed in the afternoons and ate some amazing food. Since the time was short, we saved a little $ on a studio Airbnb without a full kitchen, Zack stowed the spatula, and we ate out. The MOST notable meal was at this insane Nepalese restaurant, owned and operated by members of an actual Himalayan Sherpa tribe. It was delicious, inspiring, and over-indulgent…

We visited Denver a couple times (also in search of food), and we were not disappointed. I was glad we stayed this particular week in beautiful, charming Golden though. The pace was perfect.

We left before the crack of dawn last Monday and finished the workday in Jackson Hole, WY. We are moving around a tad faster these days, and I am now writing from Livingston, MT. I promise to catch Fragabond up to the present in the next days, but for now, suffice it to say that I think our time in the Tetons last week was my favorite so far…

-Katie