Trip Down Memory Lane

So I had another pregnancy craving mixed with some feelings of nostalgia. This time it took us 70 miles north to Fort Collins, where Jeff and I first met. There is a little hole in the wall burrito place called Big City burrito that has potato burritos to die for, so naturally I decided that I needed one. A few locations have opened up in the Denver area but from everyone I've spoken to that has tried them, no one thinks they compare to the real thing so I knew we needed to make the trip. If you haven't noticed I am all for indulging in pregnant cravings...you're only preggo a few times in life, right?! After our amazing breakfast we headed over to campus.

Our original plan was to pick up some CSU gear for little JJ but sadly the bookstore was closed for the Holiday. Instead we got to walk around and check out the geese.

Afterward we headed over to this quirky and eclectic sheet metal art collection named the Swetsville Zoo. Not going to lie,  upon pulling into the driveway I was a little hesitant to take my daughter out of the car. The 'zoo' felt more like the set of a horror film (think the Hills Have Eyes.) But after getting out and seeing other families wandering the grounds I knew it had to be safe and kid friendly.

Turns out it was really cool in fact! Bill Swets was a retired volunteer fireman with a case of insomnia. To fill his nights of sleeplessness he would sculpt these structures from recycled farm equipment, car parts and other scrap metal. For the last 25 years he has been adding new characters to his road side attraction.

At first Johanna wanted us to hold her as we walked around checking things out, but gradually she gained courage (or maybe curiosity) and wanted to get down to check things out for herself. Here she is pointing at the am-als again.

"Choo-Choo!"

So, I'm a fan I can appreciate the hard work that went behind building these sculptures and think they're pretty neat!

So this one was a little creepy in my honest opinion.

 Jeff testing out the giant horn. I told him it's a good thing he's on some high doses of antibiotics for his eyes because who knows who the last person was that blew on that thing. Jeff then said he hadn't thought about that and was grossed out.

Isn't he cute?

After leaving the Swetsville Zoo we drove around to see what had changed around town and reminisced on earlier years. We drove past past homes we'd lived in, the Old Chicago that Jeff and I had met at, our first apartment together, where Jeff proposed, places we'd taken Fiona for walks, and other sentimental spots. It's always weird going back to places you'd once considered home... although Highlands Ranch is definitely home to us now, Fort Collins will always have a piece of our hearts :) 

What a great little mini trip, now Jeff is back to work and Johanna and I are back on our schedule. How quickly the holidays fly by!