YIPPEE!!!! Bella is happy that one week from tomorrow we will be headed westward to the cabin (where this photo was taken last year). It's finally time!

We are making lists and adding to the pile of "things to go" in the spare room. We have begun thinking about which meals do we want? What kind of clothing should we take? And the biggest question of all that is looming over our heads at this point is:

Will the cabin still seem as magical as it did last year when we realized it was where we wanted to be? Or was it just everything surrounding Alex's death? We're about to find out.

I don't really have any doubts and neither does Rick, but you never know. We might get up there and say "what were we thinking?" But the cabin and the surrounding land is part of our souls. It's hard to explain, as I've said before. Just what is it?

Is it the aspen forests in the valley?

The wild, untamableness  of it all?

Or the peace that enfolds us when we are there?

I love that pic of the cabin!

So much to do to get ready, but you guys are used to it by now. I know you will have a wonderfully relaxing time there.  Just remember, Alex (my favorite nephew) will be with you in spirit.

Bigsis, yes it’s a routine we know quite well by now, but sometimes we still do forget things! Alex is always with us ...

Well, the fact that you’re so excited about going means something, right?! I’m sure if you approach it with an open mind, as free of expectation as possible, you’ll get some sense of what you want to ultimately do.

Meanwhile, I’m excited to see more pictures from there!

Steve, I really have no doubt the cabin will weave its spell upon yet again. Glad you are excited to see pics from there. I am excited to take them!

Warm clothes for sure.  Calling for snow tonight along the front range including Fort Collins!