Staycation 2011

I took Step 1 of the USMLE Boards on Tuesday ending a month long dedicated study period. We considered leaving town for a few days before I start orientation for my first clinical rotation on Monday but decided to stay in town instead.

We got a lot done during our Staycation. We did some deep cleaning and organizing in our house, tilled a space in the back for our first garden, repotted houseplants, and more. But the highlight of our little break was yesterday when we went with our friends Joe, Adriana, and Mikel Alvarado to Colorado Springs.

First we went to Rudy's, a great authentic Texas BBQ place Alvarado's knew about. Apparently it's a chain from Texas and the Colorado Springs location is one of only two outside of Texas. You can see from the look on Brinton's face that he loved it. So did we!

Next we went to the Garden of the Gods. We didn't have much time and there wasn't parking, so we don't have pictures of the most impressive formations, but we do have pictures of a cool balanced rock feature. We'll have to go back when we have more time to hike around and explore.

The reason we were in such a hurry was so we could have more time at our next destination, the greenhouse of Jeremiah Harris, President and Founder of the Colorado Carnivorous Plant Society. He has hundreds of different species of carnivorous plants in a large greenhouse he built at his home. 

I tried to contain my excitement when we walked in to the room full of all these plants that have fascinated me since Jr. High School. He has American Pitcher Plants, Tropical Pitcher Plants, Butterworts, Bladderworts, Sundews, Sun Pitcher Plants, Carnivorous Bromeliads, Waterwheel Plants, and more. Here are some of my favorites:

Brinton appears to be acquiring his father's interest in carnivorous plants. Apparently Jeremiah started when he was only 4! Maybe Brinton's just getting an early start.

We stayed for over an hour admiring all the different plants and asking him questions. 

At the end of our visit, he even gave us some plants! He knew I was wishing for a female Nepenthes to breed my own hybrids so he gave me a nice female hybrid known for its prolific flowering. He also gave me a sundew I didn't have that is potted uniquely amongst some terrestrial bladderworts with gorgeous purple flowers (which sort of broke off in the car ride home but more are on their way). He also gave me some live sphagnum moss to dress my terrarium and pitcher plant. To Alvarado's he gifted a staghorn sundew and a nice deep red Venus flytrap. Jeremiah was so kind and knowledgeable and generous. I am looking forward to our next visit!

After Jeremiah's place, we went back to Aurora for our ward Young Women's auction and dinner. It was very successful and raised more than enough money for the all the girls to go to camp this year. You have to buy your dessert and we bought the same one as last year--a delicious chocolate-raspberry cake made by our friend Autumn Orser. It was a great way to end our day!