The Wedding Day

It is Saturday and the big day has finally arrived!

I don't think very much sleeping went on with Raleigh and Kari last night after the rehearsal activities. Today Raleigh spent the day with Kari and the bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done. Tim took Lon to breakfast to a wonderful little cafe while I slept in a little. They saw a mule deer but no mountain sheep that were warned of on the road signs. Our dreams of sleeping comfortably off the floor of the bus were dashed when we opened the sofa bed in our suite. Kind of like the sofa/bed on the bus, sleep sofas are meant for the youngsters not old fogies like us. Somehow we managed just fine. However, I  had room service deliver a single fold out bed to our room so Tim can have that and I'll take the couch tonight. I happen to love sleeping on couches and this one is comfy.

Before lunch, Lon, Tim, and I took a drive through the Rockies and marveled at the vastness of our surroundings. Whereas the east coast is so crammed with urban areas, the mountains in Colorado seem more like a frontier that has yet to be tamed. Even though Colorado has its own urban sprawl, it still has a roughness that Virginia doesn't have. Being land locked is also a little strange.  Lon managed the winding roads through the mountains without any motion sickness, thank goodness.  Let's keep that going!

We had lunch at the same little cafe where Tim and Lon had breakfast.  It is famous for its pies...someone has rated them #1 in Colorado and #4 for the whole US.  I think it's called "You Need a Pie".  It was nice to eat at a local hangout instead of the usual fast food.  Back to the hotel just in time to ready ourselves for the wedding.

Boy, Kari and Geofrey dodged a bullet today with the weather!  There was an 82% chance of rain at 3:00 pm and the wedding was at 3:30 pm outdoors! It barely sprinkled and just as the guitarist was playing "Here Comes the Sun" before the wedding party came up for the ceremony, the sun came out. Just after the ceremony, there was thunder in the distance but it never did rain. And the weather was cool so we were all comfortable. Kari was stunning and Geoffrey looked handsome in his army dress uniform.  The dinner was lovely, another one we didn't have to cook on the propane camp stove, and the party went on until 10:30.  We opted out of the after party in town since we plan to leave to get back to the bus  close to 6:00 am.  Raleigh danced, and danced, and danced so I think she will sleep well.  I know I will.

Raleigh was Matron of Honor
escorted by the  groom's younger brother.

Just waiting for the bride and groom.

Enjoying the cool weather while
waiting for the wedding party.

The reason for the adventure!!!
Kari and Geoffrey Edmonds

A glimpse of the view of
rom the reception

Layers of strawberry cake
and banana chocolate chip cake!

Lon and Tim eyeing some
Bison Burgers coming their way.

What a great time we had, getting to know Kari's husband and family a little better, reminiscing with Kari, Emily, and Kari's parents, Gary and Lidia.  These moments are so special when friendships have lasted 21 years and you are only 25 years old.  There is a lot of history there.  The next 21 years will bring so many other milestones and we are so grateful we could make it to this one.  Having Lon by her side made the trip perfect for Raleigh.  We laugh that being on a school bus isn't an exotic honeymoon, but what an adventure!

Tomorrow we head back to Kansas, homeward bound.