day seven {+8}

we woke up to sunshine and mild temps in the heart of mountains in
somewhere, colorado.

we only had one place to be by a certain time that evening:

the airport in denver 

for trent, taylor and lindsay to fly home.

{we couldn't return the RV until Monday, so Em, Al and I flew out on Monday}

we were in good spirits but a bittersweet sentiment filled the air.

because, believe it or not, on day seven

of six friends living practically on top of eachother

we didn't want it to end...

wanting to wish reality away.

we had pavement to chase 

and lindsay manhandled drove the RV practically the whole way.

on a whim we stopped in Vail, Colorado,

got lost in a quaint gas station, that led to shops across the street,

then ended by asking a gentleman if there was a local 

brewery nearby.

and just around the corner we found a gore range brewery tucked away.

...we made a 30 minute and one drink limit.

it was our last spontaneous spot.

our last hoo-rah, in a sense. 

we walked to Geronimo perched in scenic paradise, and asked a landscpaing man to take our picture.

one last time.

as a group.

we hit the road and were feeling fine.

reflective. happy. grateful. humbled.

connected.

the music was flowing, the conversation sassy.

the scenery unbelievable.

then it just happened. like it typically does.

unplanned, on a whim and at juusssttt the right time.

our old friends,

our instant entertainment:

the mustaches 

come out.

{there is a story behind these that go a few months back; it deserves a post of it's own, but needless to say, these things are crowd pleasers and could single handedly be responsible for world peace}

ok, i'll stop...but I could look at these for DAYYYSSSS.

a tunnel traffic jam and worries of a missed flight 

thankfully passed

and we made it to the airport in just enough time.

they literally jumped out of the RV and a quick farewell later

half of our group,

one trio of our posse,

three of our family 

was gone.

it seemed very quiet, very quickly.

alex, emily and i stayed in a hotel

in downtown denver.

geronimo was seriously injured in a parking garage

mix-up

by one of us, who shall remain nameless. thus our hopes of a return deposit

were put to rest once and for all.

we cleaned out Geronimo and made a decision not to throw away the pillows, blankets, chairs and extra food...

we had an idea and plan for the next day.

so we showered in our hotel room for at least 20 minutes each, while inevitable rocking 

back and forth

whenever we were still. like a RV hangover, motorhome "sea-sickness".

it was hilarious.

we walked to a local restaurant and had fat GREEN SALADS, then promptly 

fell asleep in the blink of an eye.

Monday morning, up and at em, we were ready to drop 

Geronimo 

off once and for all. 

but first we found a homeless shelter and dropped 

all of our remaining items off there.

...it was the perfect thing to do.

we arrived at CruiseAmerica

where we held our breath {and i put on my "invisible" sunglasses} when they went to 

examine Geronimo.

we knew there was a likely chance that we may be going home with that thing 

and a debt of $15,000.00 ++ {not really, but kinda}

but after a clean review {by the grace of God} and 

even credits and a returned deposit (!!)

we jumped in our waiting car as quickly as possible and encouraged the driver to tear outta that place ASAP {before they could look any further!}. 

besides, we may have cried if we had more time for goodbye.

our trip was over

and we still couldn't process it all.

two easy flights

and we were

home.

just like that.

but here were are, two weeks later

still reflecting, marinating and remembering the detials

....enjoying telling our story.

{emily found this peanut with a heart on it, on our final drive back}

i'll be ending this story, our journey,

through this blog

in an ironic and remarkingly fitting way.

{stay tuned!}

but thanks for joining me as i wrote, remembered and smiled through it all.

i hope you enjoyed the ride.....