Escape the Heat!

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to fly up to Colorado for the week. My friend Brooke covered the trip, and let me stay with her on top of a mountain. We had some video games, great views, and of course adventure

Here is a brief recap from my week long adventure in MUCH cooler weather (at least at night hahaha). Post is slightly NSFW.

I said slightly! 

There were absolutely some highlights from my trip, and I'd like to share a few.

Meow Wolf Denver - Cooler than Expected

The artwork, interesting story line, and sheer depth to it all made it very satisfying. 

This was my first time at the Denver location, and my hat from the Vegas location was BEAT UP, so of course I got a new hat too! Shout out to Brooke for helping me navigate my third Meow Wolf experience (and probably one of the most visually rich).

I just want to add that I intended for this post to be shared last night, but my best friend needed to be taken to the Hospital, and it was overall a pretty bad day. So I'm picking things up and finishing up this post today (Friday). Thank you for your support!!

Rocky Mountain National Park - Must See Experience

Cannot stress how happy I was going through the Rocky Mountains, especially Estes Park. Feeling the crisp air on my skin, and watching the drops of rain hitting the lake surface. I look forward to coming back (but probably with my own wheels).

It's hard to describe the majesty and sheer beauty on display everywhere you look... so I took photos to help with the job.

The fact that I was so high up, trees couldn't even grow, was such a thrill for some reason! :P

Especially when you consider HOW beautiful the trees are.

I learned a lot of new stuff too of course, including the fascinating Mistletoe.

According to the web:

"Mistletoes are a large group of plants that are parasitic on aboveground parts of woody trees and shrubs. These perennial flowering plants have specialized roots that are able to penetrate the host plant from which it derives water and nutrients. There are both full parasites like dwarf mistletoes" 

Wow! Even parasites can be pretty! :P

I had to buy a coat for this mountain. In the Summer. IT WAS THAT COLD! See the snow? In July!

Totally worth it for vistas like this, right?

Boulder Heights - Flora and Fauna

I was surprised by how green the mountain was! They were experiencing record rainfall this year, and so everything was still lush (or returning from being briefly browned out).

My friend was nervous about the rain but I was practically dancing/begging for it :P

We don't get to walk around in green spaces like this in Arizona, hanging out with cats named Banjo, who happen to be ADORABLE.

Or see flowers growing so massively! I absolutely adored being somewhere this rich in nature.

Final Thoughts

I know this post is long, so I thank you for sticking around and seeing a handful of memories. I'll be honest... the vacation had it's ups and downs as well. I came home needing to mentally recharge a bit, and it's been kinda rocky since. 

While I was at the Hospital last night helping a friend, I found out someone who recently modeled for me is in a coma. Their family reached out to me so they could take care of their pets. They loved his recent photos, and my brain shut down from the stress.

TW: SA

In addition to the health issues, a family member ALSO told me they were s/a by the same family member who did it to me last year. So on one hand, I feel less alone, but on the other, it makes me want to distance myself from family more.

Here... let me throw a distract roll with another photo hoping you skipped the heavier stuff: 

I'd like to write more soon, but my heart is a little heavy today. I've got two paintings this weekend, so I'm going to do my best to rally myself. Send me good vibes if you have them to spare. <3

Love and Kindness,

Brandon