let's get real monday!

Welcome to Let's Get Real Monday.   The theme is "My Favorite Things" and if you choose to play along, it is up to you whether to post about a specific category (like foods  or music) or to just post random favorites.   I figured this would be an easy one after the holiday weekend.

We woke up on Easter Sunday to ice and fog.  Here in Colorado we are likely to have a Brown Christmas and a White Easter and, sure enough, a few flakes made their appearance right before the kids went outside to hunt for eggs.  Being kids, this didn't deter them, but we parents tried to hurry them along so that we could get back into the warm house.  Our Easter weather gave me my idea for today's topic--My Favorite Things About Life In Colorado:

--Over 300 days of sunshine per year!  Although you can't expect it on days when it should be sunny (like Easter!), the sun is a regular feature here.  Even the winter is a bright season with snow coming on one day and the sun peeking out the next.  Not only does this make life in Colorado comfortable, but it also keeps snow from building up and getting grimey.

--Here in Colorado we love our altitude.  Living at almost 5,000 feet of elevation makes for some endurance training without even trying.  I love visiting my dad's house at sea level and finding that I can run a long distance without passing out, all because of the excercise I do at home in the clouds.  I wish this translated to distance running at home, but alas, that only happens on vacations!

--While we don't live in a picture-postcard part of Colorado, there is incredible beauty within 1-2 hours in almost every direction.  Lakes, mountains, rivers and sandunes are all within easy driving distance any time of the year.  Even Christo thinks our lovely landscape is worthy of his artistic attention and is planning on covering our area with fabric within the next five years.

--Since moving to Colorado, I have become a lover of the outdoors.  You can't help but be motivated by all the hikers, rock climbers, kayakers, campers and fishermen around here.  Getting outside is not only beautiful, but it is also inexpensive and healthy.  Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in the nation and my suspicion is that it has something to do with all the outdoor activities that its residents do.

--Taxes are reasonable.  Enough said.

So, life in Colorado has been a good thing for us!  We have lived here for almost 10 years and we look forward to many more.  The only thing that would improve Colorado is to have my family move here.  If that happened, I don't think there is anything that could make us leave.

If you play along with Let's Get Real Monday please leave your link below so we can come visit your blog!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Comments

[Amber]

Boy, Colorado sounds nice. Although there are many reasons to love the beach in Oregon, seeing the sun frequently just isn't one of them---we don't see it much around here-*--!

I'm playing along with the Let's Get Real Monday! Fun!

[Susie]

I didn't know that Colorado had the lowest obesity rate. It makes sense though with all the wonderful outdoor activites. All those days of sunshine sound just great!
:)

[Thimbleanna]

Boy, Mountains are the only reason I'd need to move to Colorado -- I sure do miss those mountains! ;-)

[Bethany]

That was an easy one! I've been meaning to play with you for ages! Finally got around to it! :D

[Kathleen]

I've been through Colorado only once, but I was definitely glad to be driving through rather than flying over. I got to see so much more of it's beauty.

[Morning Glory]

Isn't it wonderful to really like where you're living? I know that feeling.

[Jenny]

I think I should add Colorado to our list of places to go for vacation. Sounds great!

[Felicia]

I think my hips could do with a move to Colorado! Sounds wonderful. :)

[The Woman]

What will you do when we all up and move into your neighborhood? This was fun! Thanks!

[Denise]

Thank you Randi for a great picture of Colorado (I love living here in CA near the mountains and water for many of the same reasons!) and thanks for a great topic!

[biscuitbear]

Never been to Colorado yet...all I know is that in Colorado there is Denver, of Dynasty fame and home to Helen Kish dolls!

[Tammy]

We just passed through Colorado when hubby and I had to across the country. But I would love to be able to spend some time there...it sounds wonderful!

(mine's up!) :)

[Kari]

Did it take you any time to get used to the altitude, when you first moved? My husband really likes the different sports/activities there, but I always wonder how I'll do with my pathetic cardio endurance! (On vacation, that is.) LOL

[Beck]

That's such a fun idea! Colorado sounds wonderful.

[Deb]

Randi, I decided to play along this week! It was fun. Thank you for sponsoring.

I've never been to Colorado but would LOVE to! You live in a beautiful area.

[Dawn]

My fave CDs are up...
Interesting read about your beloved Colorado...

[Carmen]

I was too intimidated by last week's Get Real theme, but this one was right up my alley! So nice to read of someone loving the place they live. Btw, I love your blog and read it often.

[Erin S.]

300 days of sunshine a year? I'm jealous! On the West Coast we probably have 300 days of rain. At least is seems that way. Thanks for sharing you list with us. I have posted a hodge-podge list on my blog!

[mopsy]

Yep, Randi---Colorado rocks. I was born in Denver and have lived here my entire life. I still get chills when driving through the mountains. It's sublime, clean, the sky is brilliant jeweled blue. It doesn't smell like fish ;) which is the one thing that strikes me when we travel to sea-level.

[rohanknitter]

Wow, lots of sunny days and mountains! No fair!!

[Pieces]

Okay, now *I* want to live in Colorado!

[Pam in Colorado]

Fun, fun, fun! Will Tuesday or Thursday work better for you? Your place or mine? If you come to mine, you can see my material stash!!! Either one is fine though. Oh, the girls would like to meet at a park first for a picnic. We could go to the one by the high school if you are game and heading this way.

[Nise']

That was fun! Thanks for hosting.

[Tammy S.]

I've never been in Colorado, though we were close to it when we drove across the country from California to Michigan.

I looked up Michigan's obesity rate, and it is in with several states for 6th place. I can totally understand why, too. I have gained weight this winter, it's so easy to do. There's nothing to entice anyone outside for practically 6 months out of the year! Its either a rainy, soggy mess or snowy, freezing cold, and miserable during the late fall/winter/spring. It's snowing here today, which I wish it would stop! ;-)

But I'm not complaining...just gotta get moving no matter what. =) Oh, and I enjoyed seeing what you enjoy about your state!

[Lynette]

Fun for a Monday! I chose favorite CD's

[Holly]

Thanks again for hosting this! Following all the links has made for some great reading material!

[Darcy]

We love Colorado too! We vacationed there several times when we lived in Nebraska. Snow skiing at Keystone in the winter and during the summertime we've been to the Glenwood Springs area a couple of times....gorgeous!

[Anne]

I've only been to Colorado once (when I was a kid), but I remember it was beautiful. One problem for me, though: it gets cold there! ;-)

[Jill]

Thanks for hosting this Randi! I've never been to CO, but I'm sure I would love it. The altitude certainly makes flying a lot different for private pilots--I usually take the plane up to only 3000 feet, so taking off at 5000 would have quite a different feeling!

We had a dusting of snow for Easter, too, here in PA. Pretty unusual for us. XO

[Jenny]

Randi-Thank yo so much for hosting this game. This is sure a funny meme with so many different women participating. I look forward to playing again!

[Lynn]

I know what you are saying about Colorado. I was born in Boulder and raised in Estes Park. My mom just sold her house in Estes and is moving to Loveland.

We head to CO at least twice a year. It IS beautiful!!

[Lynn]

Oops, wrong blog linked to my name. This is the one with the Monday "Favorite Things".

[Kathi]

I'm a day late, but I'm playing anyway. ~smile~ Hope you'll stop by my blog.

[Yvonne]

That logo is so cute for Let's Get Real Monday! Good job to whomever made it! It's very Randi!

My Hubby would sure love to live in Colorado too, and I think I'd love it too, it's so beautiful. I looooove to see the photographs of your area, it's just gorgeous. I know when I went there skiing, it was just breathtaking to me to see God's handiwork there. Where did you live before you moved to CO Randi?

[Yvonne]

By the way...beautiful photo of the icy plant! What kind of plant is that? You really have an eye, and I love how with Typepad I can now click on your photos and they are bigger so that I can see them better!! When I clicked on them with Blogger they got smaller!

[Karen]

Sorry I'm late posting! :o) I love your picture...one of the many beautiful pictures you've taken for us to enjoy!

[Rachel]

You are my "blog idol"! Love the ideas!