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abebehrmann
10-17-2016, 10:01 PM
A couple months ago, my girlfriend and I decided we wanted to take a trip to Colorado to see the sights, visit some friends of ours that live in the Denver area, and do a little camping. At the same time, we were trying to plan a wedding for ourselves. I'm not sure if you've ever had to do that, but DAMN is any and everything associated with a wedding ridiculously expensive, and as a result the decision making process was super stressful. After a few days of this, it finally dawned on me and I made my move.

"Hey, what do you think about just getting married in Colorado when we're there? We can have my friend, who is already ordained, marry us and then we could have a small celebration afterwards. It'll be relatively stress-free."

A little to my surprise (although it really shouldn't have been, I was marrying her after all), she was really into the idea so we got started planning. After a little research, we discovered that Colorado is one of the only states which has something called self solemnization where you're allowed to marry yourselves. You don't need a justice of the peace, a witness, or anything. You both go to the county clerk's office, show your IDs, promise you're not related, and sign on the dotted line and you're hitched. We decided that's what we were going to do. This is our trip.

We loaded up the XJ Tuesday night and left Dallas Wednesday morning. We drove up through Northern Texas, the Panhandle, and into Northeast New Mexico. I had never been in this part of the country before, but I immediately loved it.

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0448_1024_zpsppsqzelo.jpg.html)

We kinda wanted to explore a little bit, but we had to make it to our campsite in Southern Colorado before sundown. We made it to Trinidad, CO and stopped and got a few supplies before heading to Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area about 45 minutes outside of town. On the way we saw elk, deer, wild turkey, and lots of little tiny chipmunks. We weren't quick enough, or skilled enough for that matter, with the camera to get any decent pics of them unfortunately.

Saw these hairy fellers in someone's front yard too.

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0374_1024_zpsgv7c7vd9.jpg.html)

We made it into Spanish Peaks and were greeted by some rocky rutted trails. We weren't interested in camping next to others so we chose the roughest ones we could find, they weren't anything too difficult but they did allow me to pull the transfer case lever though. :D:D:D
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/36A647D4-6212-48C1-BA84-6E472873702D_zpsnhuqljbz.jpg.html)

And finally we found an awesome campsite on the top of the biggest hill in the park.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/945EC749-D8E7-4C2E-A736-98BF5F11BE57_zps1livy07m.jpg.html)

Sunset
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/978760E5-FD8F-485B-AE6A-97D9B1D2E8A2_zpskh3t8brm.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0366_1024_zpsaqodbw6o.jpg.html)

After a chilly night sleeping in the back of the XJ, we made our way back down the rocky trail and into Trinidad for Breakfast. Saw this Comanche outside the cafe we stopped at.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/AFBCB280-A760-4A3A-A4BB-47988246F64F_zpspgb56gxe.jpg.html)

After breakfast, we made our way towards Denver. On the way, we saw a sign for Garden of the Gods and we had to make a slight detour. It was definitely worth it.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/34AC8FB1-A84A-4965-A26F-9716CCF2DE89_zpsjza0gezg.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/694E2885-4455-49FC-9D5E-6ABBCC764A59_zpsosck0z6n.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0388_1024_zpshpzopnng.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0411_1024_zpsvynjedf2.jpg.html)
(You know, that sorta looks like a...)

After exploring Garden of the Gods, we headed farther north to our converted blacksmith shop Airbnb on the outskirts of Boulder.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/IMG_2876_zpslii30hun.jpg.html)

The next day, we woke up had coffee and headed to the county clerk's office to get our marriage license. We signed it right there in the office and it was official. We had brunch and then got ready for pictures on Bald Mountain. I think we clean up pretty good.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/5402E501-7EEC-414D-8433-51946A3549CF_zpshkuo6d55.jpg.html)
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/0BA361E4-F187-400C-A269-74EB15EDEE54_zpsb8jtr2hr.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/4E6AB5B8-DF54-44C4-A3F7-ACD74EF15EE7_zpsvmc2k927.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/A919ED6A-21C1-4ED8-8A6D-ED1FE88D8C28_zpssojpkfq7.jpg.html)

After pictures we went out with some friends for dinner and drinks.

The next morning we loaded back up the XJ and headed back down to Texas, to Palo Duro Canyon just south of Amarillo.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0431_1024_zpspu68jhur.jpg.html)

We made it in just after dark and woke up surrounded by awesome red canyons and hoodoos.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0456_1024_zpsrgibvxad.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0458_1024_zps73e1gn2o.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0464_1024_zps5iwxixvl.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0480_1024_zps8y8t60yi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0481_1024_zpsb1iv1rdt.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0483_1024_zpsbbhxaqef.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0488_1024_zpseyjblmli.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0496_1024_zps9queyrwi.jpg.html)http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/abebehrmann/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/abebehrmann/media/thumb_DSC_0495_1024_zps4sh4ntne.jpg.html)

After hiking around the canyons for a while, we packed up the Jeep once more and finally headed back to Irving. It was one of the best trips of my life. Cheers to many more. :beer:

4.3LXJ
10-17-2016, 10:18 PM
:congrats: to you and the Misses. I think the nice clothes go well with the outdoors. Should have had your friend marry you in front of one of those magnificent views :D

bluedragon436
10-17-2016, 11:51 PM
That is an awesome trip report... Congrats to the both of you!!

Pinkyman
10-18-2016, 06:56 AM
Congrats!! Great pictures too! Ive always loved CO, such an amazing place :D

XJ Wheeler
10-18-2016, 03:57 PM
Congratulations Abe!!! Everybody's getting married on here! Lol.

You were in my old stomping grounds. I use to live near the Springs. Been to Garden of God's more times than I can remember. (My mom loves their gift shop [emoji14] ) There's sooooo much to do in that area it's crazy. If you go back check out Seven Falls, Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, and Silver Cascade Falls to name a few. Of course Pikes Peak is awesome! One of the most perfect towns I've been to in all my travels is Woodland Park, only about 20 minutes away and you have to go through an awesome canon road to get there and just past the road up Pikes Peak. You'll love it! About an our away are some cool old mining towns Victor and Cripple Creek (yes, that is a town name lol ), although CC has been taken over by casinos so that's a lot of what the town is about now. A nice twisty, fun drive is teller 1 from CC to Canõn City. No cell service, no radio reception, just you and the hills and turns. Although most of this area is about 9-10k feet so take it slow if you go hiking, which I highly recommend! Can you tell I miss it!

Sent via messenger pigeon. I talk, he types.

oderdene
10-18-2016, 07:32 PM
Congratulations Bro!

Sent from my ASUS_Z00VD using Tapatalk

Dredwolf
10-18-2016, 08:09 PM
Congratulations indeed.

After having been to the region three times, my wife and I swear the place holds a kind of magic.

Here's to you both having a blessed and happy future for many years to come.

cantab27
10-18-2016, 08:57 PM
congrats man ...thanks for pics

abebehrmann
10-19-2016, 05:26 PM
Thanks for the kind words everybody.


Congratulations Abe!!! Everybody's getting married on here! Lol.

You were in my old stomping grounds. I use to live near the Springs. Been to Garden of God's more times than I can remember. (My mom loves their gift shop [emoji14] ) There's sooooo much to do in that area it's crazy. If you go back check out Seven Falls, Cliff Dwellings, Cave of the Winds, and Silver Cascade Falls to name a few. Of course Pikes Peak is awesome! One of the most perfect towns I've been to in all my travels is Woodland Park, only about 20 minutes away and you have to go through an awesome canon road to get there and just past the road up Pikes Peak. You'll love it! About an our away are some cool old mining towns Victor and Cripple Creek (yes, that is a town name lol ), although CC has been taken over by casinos so that's a lot of what the town is about now. A nice twisty, fun drive is teller 1 from CC to Canõn City. No cell service, no radio reception, just you and the hills and turns. Although most of this area is about 9-10k feet so take it slow if you go hiking, which I highly recommend! Can you tell I miss it!

Sent via messenger pigeon. I talk, he types.

Thanks for the advice! I should have talked to you before this trip, we were just sorta winging it and it ended up turning out pretty good. We're already planning our next trip to the area so we will definitely be checking out as many of those places as we can.


Congratulations indeed.

After having been to the region three times, my wife and I swear the place holds a kind of magic.

Here's to you both having a blessed and happy future for many years to come.

I think you might be right, it definitely has some sort of magic. I loved it!