Nederland

A few Sundays ago, we decided to drive up to Nederland for the afternoon. It's funny, because we're starting to get a little tradition going. We take the beautiful drive up Boulder Canyon to Ned (as the locals call it), eat a yummy buffet lunch at our favorite Nepali/Indian restaurant Kathmandu, head over to the Carousel of Happiness for a $1 carousel ride (a beautifully restored 1910 carousel with a 1913 Wurlizer band organ), and go for a hike.

After the carousel ride Daniel and Owen showed off their puppet skills. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. Check out this video!

Usually we head higher up to Brainard Lake but this time we stayed in Ned and took a walk along Barker Reservoir. So gorgeous.

Owen's video of the "rocky gorges" (no idea where he got that from):

 

When I was growing up, my parents had a tradition like this. They'd spontaneously announce we were headed up to Thurmont, MD, to eat at Mountain Gate buffet and go to a local playground. Of course I loved going up there as a kid, but I don't think I fully understood that desire to drive away and get lost in the country until I had kids of my own. Now I completely get it! There's something about crisp mountain air and brilliant blue sky that heals whatever ails you.