Cripple Creek Ice Castles

 

Song:  Aniron

Artist:  Enya

I had purchased the tickets for the Cripple Creek Ice Castles

last month for my guests and I to enjoy.

Cripple Creek is the town which is but 7 miles from my home.

This year...

Cripple Creek once again hosted the Ice Castles event as the temperatures 

favor the construction and maintenance of the Ice Castles through its month or so run.

The temperature was about 12 Degrees F ( - 11 C )...

but there was little wind...

and so...

it was a perfect night to see the Ice Castles.

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I know it may seem out of place to be going out so shortly after my mother's death...

but, then again...

my sisters and I have been given years to prepare ourselves for this event.

I had
always stressed to my mother...

and to my readers of my blogs...

as well as to my readers of my novels...

that to always try to make win win scenarios in life.

And...

most importantly...

to grieve...yes...

but to grieve and then only have the good memories to remind you of them.

Again...

I have been preparing for this event for years.

It is also what makes time spent with your loved ones all the more precious...

the knowledge that death awaits us all...

and so...

to not waste opportunities to have precious moments with them.

That is why I tried to fill my mother's life with magical times.

The important time to think of them is when they are still alive...

and to experience good times with them...

so they may enjoy those times with you.

Time marches relentlessly on for us all.

I will remember my mother in our good times together...fondly...

but I will not allow sadness to erase the good memories of the past...

but I will allow it to flavor my future experiences...

as I see her in the movie of the mind...

smiling and laughing.

She had the eyes of a child...

always looking at life with wonder...

and becoming excited with new experiences.

My recommendation to all with loved ones...

do not waste time...

but go out and experience life with them.

See new places...

see movies together...

eat great food...

and most of all...

laugh freely.

Do these things...

and then when the inevitable happens...

you will not be paralyzed with guilt or sadness.

Allow their memories to conjure themselves before you as you enjoy life...

in the movie of your mind...

and they will be there with you...

 looking about in wonder...

their eyes filled with glee...

and their laughter accompanying you as you continue to live life.

Only had you waited until too late...

to say what should have been said...

to do what should have been done...

would you be haunted by what should have been.

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The Ice Castles is an extraordinary display...

and a must see in winter.

I am fortunate to have it just 15 minutes away from my home.

I have always deeply loved colors and chilly weather.

This had both...

plus beautiful music playing throughout the Ice Castles.

I felt very serene there.

I could step outside myself...

and it was just what I needed.

It was cathartic...

as I only felt the beauty and serenity of the moment.

In the chill of the air...

while being surrounded by such beautiful colors and music...

my heart felt free.

I just let the beauty of the moment carry me away.

I loved it there.

The colors of the ice would slowly change from one deep color to the next...nonstop.

Below are pictures from the Cripple Creek Ice Castles:

We are on the way down the hill upon which the Ice Castles were built.

Just down the hill was one of the parking lots for the Ice Castles event.

We loaded up and headed home...

feeling greatly satisfied.

Ice Castles is a tremendous attraction.

It is a must see if you are near one of the four Ice Castles attractions in the US during winter.

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These were photos one of my guests had taken of me.

--------------

Tomorrow we will attempt Pikes Peak once more.

After that...

we will go, once again, to eat sushi.

Japanese food is our overall favorite.

On the following day...

my guests will be departing.