Mike and I have been working so hard for so long, I can’t even remember the last time we had a date. Or even left Colorado Springs for anything other than a trip to Denver. I was desperate to feel a little bit of freedom, so after finishing some orders, we dressed up just a bit, packed the kids up, and drove south to Cañon City to have a picnic at the Holy Cross Abbey there. It was such a perfect evening and just what we needed.
The abbey itself is absolutely beautiful, and set on stunning grounds. It felt like visiting a European church, which increased my feeling of escape a hundredfold!
First, we stopped at the winery to enjoy their free wine tasting. There were 8-10 varieties to sample, which equaled a full glass of wine by the time you try them all. They were all delicious and, since we had given up both sugar and alcohol for Lent, we had become light-weights and a full glass was all it took to feel very relaxed! We can’t wait to buy some of the wines we had sampled, as they are available at our local stores too.
Construction on the abbey, built in the Gothic Revival style, began in 1924, and it prospered for awhile until, due to declining attendance, it was finally dissolved as a church and closed in 2006. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
We took a ton of photos of the church because the lighting was perfect.
We also took a ton of pictures of the family.
I don’t know what all the head-tipping was about, so don’t ask.
Mike and I took several tries to get just….
… the right …
… kissing picture …
I don’t think he minded!
We also came across some props that another family was using for their own photoshoot, and Penny said, “Mommy! They have a sign that says ‘sister for sale’!” So I said, “Run over there with Alex real quick!” And we got this shot and then darted before the other family got back:
Penny also took these really sweet pictures of Alex and I. I adore them.
We had such a wonderful time that I knew I had to bring friends down here and do it all again, so I am planning a ladies’ wine tasting and picnic tea party around Mother’s Day for all my friends who need this kind of escape.
