Celebrating Cousin Pat’s retirement and day hike in Summit County, CO August 2020

 My cousin Pat and her husband Mark returned to Colorado for a month starting in mid August.  First up for them was a dinner with us (usual fantastic Donna meal and an unbelievable dessert - Spring Fling cake, made by Donna).  They visited with friends the next day who just moved to CO and then went up to Summit County for a two week stay in Frisco, CO.  Donna and I drove up on Tuesday afternoon to go out to the most extravagant and expensive dinner out of our lives.  Pat retired in January after 41 years at A, T and T and they give retirees $500 for a celebratory dinner.  Because of Covid, they were unable to celebrate earlier, and they had to do it before August 30; so we were the lucky recipients of A, T and T’s largesse.  The Hearthstone Restaurant in Breckenridge got the nod, and after a three hour dinner that included appetizers, 4 entrees, two bottles of wine, and dessert and coffee, we managed to spend $558 including tip.  Easily a record for us, by a mile.  I couldn’t have enjoyed it if it was my money, but smiles all around since A, T and T was picking up the tab.  An outstanding meal and a memorable evening.

The next day after a wonderful breakfast provided by Pat, we hiked to Lily Pad lakes ...about a 4 mile RT hike nearby (Donna and I had hiked  this trail about 35 years ago).  A quick but very fun 24 hours up in the mountains.