A couple of weeks ago, Jamie and I went on a date. He was recently complaining we’ve lost that lovin’ feeling and I told him toiling in the pumpkin patch and working 24-7 is not a woman’s idea of romance so we’ve recommitted to doing date night more than once a millennium.
Jamie’s sister Lisa generously offered to watch the kids (OK, we begged and pleaded) and we headed to the hills. Everyone has their ideal date night and ours does not consist of falling asleep to an opera but rather climbing up a mountain, marinating ourselves in sweat.
To each their own.
I’ve hiked pretty much every trail on the Front Range but when we were returning from Frisco last month, we did a detour off I-70 to Clear Creek Canyon where I spotted a trailhead 20 miles west of Golden: Mayhem Gulch. Not only was the name right but I was ecstatic to find a new-to-me trail.
Jamie is always game for an adventure and started our date night out right by giving me a lovely arrangement of flowers and a sweet, smoochy love note. We later went to El Dorado Mexican Restaurant in Golden where we had the best shrimp fajitas and chicken burrito ever (not exaggerating; the hint of cinnamon in the latter was moderately addictive).
But the hike up Mayhem Gulch was equally as wonderful. We opted for a moderately difficult 4.5-mile loop that showcased the very best of Centennial Cone’s foothills that were resplendent with bluebells and golden snapdragons. We talked about work, life, the kids and future opportunities. I was having a great time reconnecting with Jamie and thought he was, too until he took this portrait of the two of us.
Evidently he has something against short people.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 