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Hello! I have recently returned from an eleven day trip to Colorado! The real reason for the trip? I was a bridesmaid in my friends' wedding. But, I figured if I was flying out there (for the first time!) I may as well take myself on a little tour. After asking friends (thanks facebook!) and doing some research, I settled on a course that was doable from the Denver/Boulder area. Did you know Denver and Boulder were practically adjacent? That was news to me.Â
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Day 1: I woke up stupid early (East Coast Time), and flew into Denver. After picking up my rental, I immediately drove to Colorado Springs. Pretty mountain sightings started early; I could see them from the airport.
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The weather continued to be gorgeous and the mountains continued to be breathtaking as I drove south. I was going to be in Colorado Springs for a few days, and on the way I wanted to stop at the Air Force Academy to sketch the famous Cadet Chapel. Before I got there, I found a place to pull over and sketch the hills in the distance.Â

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After pulling into the Air Force Academy (and realizing GPS was worthless to me because it couldn't tell which roads had "CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC" signs on them), I drove around attempting to find signs for the chapel. Eventually I found a visitor's center to park at, which was a short walk from the Chapel.Â
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Turns out, I was visiting on the same day as the cadet's Ring Dance! This means everyone was very fancy, and taking photos in front of the chapel. It made for a very festive sketching environment. (And I even fixed the back of a gal's dress for her because I'm incapable of minding my own business. She turned to her boyfriend and said "YOU HAD ONE JOB!" but in a good-natured sort of way so I don't think I got the guy in any real trouble!) Luckily, the chapel was being kept open for photos because otherwise I would have JUST MISSED being able to go inside. I was told upon entering it was technically closed, but I could come in for a minute to take some photos. And I was so glad that I did! I wished there were time to sketch the interior; so beautiful! Wonderful to catch it at the end of the day, with the light streaming in from one side, too.

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After I finished I drove around the campus a bit more (in part because they didn't make it clear which way the exit was!) and then headed down to Colorado Springs.
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When you're a painter, who is traveling with the idea of painting as you go, it's always a good idea to try and get lodging where you can sketch from where you're staying. This Airbnb definitely delivered!

