Wake up early. Coffee. Rouse Andy. Hurry up, finish coffee. Walk to Broadway. Hot and dark out. No bus. Bus. Slow. Wait for train. No train. Fuck, we’re going to be late to the airport! We are not late to the airport. Chaos at baggage check-in. Walk to gate. Plane is board, board plane. Take off. Andy leaves marks on my arm from grabbing it so hard. “I’m not ever doing this again,” he says. I try to sleep. he wakes me up, “I’m sorry but I need you.” We land. Luggage. Shuttle to Alamo. Pick up rental car. In the line, we watch TV about Frances and dead Russians. Get a shiny 4-door silver car, with CD player. Only Andy brought CDs, so we listen to his music all weekend. Pull out onto the highway & I learn how to drive again. Heheh. We only miss one turn-off; Mapquest gives good directions. On the way to Estes Park we stop at the Coffee Urn in Erie, Colorado. Inside they have a plaque that says their flag outside has been dedicated to the Colo. Army Nat’l Guard. We both get absolutely stuffed for $10; the coffee is excellent; the biscuits are wonderful. Drive to Estes, through the mountains, Andy saying, “God, this is beautuful” and “Don’t drive so fast.” Get to the Merry Mouse Lodge. Andy says, “It’s so huge!” Mom comes outside to eet us. She hugs me, hugs Andy, I nearly faint. I give Andy the house tour. He is amazed. Dad gets home. We eat buffalo burgers for lunch. Then naps. Sleep solid for 2 hours. I wake up fresh and clean. Talk and then dinner time; bulgoki, God it’s good. Pecan pie ala mode for dessert. I have visions of gaining weight over the weekend. Andy sleeps upstairs, I sleep downstairs.

Wake up, make coffee for everyone. Then after breakfast & getting dressed, drive with Mom to Loveland. Through Big Thompson Canyon. Almost scary. Eat at Bear Rock Cafe (like Panera but not as good). Go to the Factory Outlet Mall. After much deliberation, Andy buys a pair of black jeans, khakis, and a damn swanky jacket from Geoffrey Bean. I buy 2 shirts. My Mom buys more junk for us to eat from Harry & David. Stop off at Flea Market on way back. Having big sale; I buy mint condition paperback by George Saunders for $1.47. Have nap at home. Help parents move furniture. We hear an elk bugling. Leftovers for dinner. Parents go to evening service at church. Andy and I stay home and watch MTV and other naughty channels while they’re gone. More pie. Bed.

Wake up, try to make coffee for everyone and break my parents’ stupid cheap little grinder. Make coffee anyway. Later we drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. We see a herd of elk, and a herd of tourists looking at the herd of elk. . The road is closed after 8 miles because it has snowed at the top of the pass, blocking the road (!). We get out, take pictures, Andy stays away from the edge of the road because we’re very high up and he’s suddenly afraid of heights. Get back, more furniture movement, I set up their big TV and home theatre. Dinner. More pie. We watch “The Manchurian Candidate” on the big TV. Dad falls asleep but Mom actually likes it. Bed.

Wake up. Shower, pack, coffee. Say goodbye. Drive to Arvada. Quick tour on the way to my aunt & uncle’s house. They welcome us, make coffee. My aunt gives me a late birthday present: The Andy Griffith Trivia Game. Go to meet my grandmother, Rosemary. Take her out to lunch. Imperial Chinese. Sesame Chicken sends me into bliss. Extra spicy. Andy loves Rosemary, she loves him. Go back to her place, help her run an errand and drive her to the gas station. Rosemary starts calling Andy “my new grandson.” Back to her place for a bit, spumoni. Hugs. Drive into the city. 1234 Washington, Alf’s address. Sit around his place, catch up. I nap briefly. Walk around, Taste of Colorado going on, looks kind of junky, new wing of Art Museum being built. Looks awesome. Beer at English-style pub. Mediocre food & margaritas at place called Benny’s. Andy goes back to apartment, Alf and I have quick drink (gimlet) with my friend Scott at R.J.’s, which is like a puny version of Sidetrack. Bed.

Wake up. Coffee at Penn Street Perk. Drive to Arvada for breakfast, Ralston Road Cafe. Drive around. Show old high school, grocery store, thrift store. Get lost driving to my old house because everything looks so different. Get to old house, looks really really nice; they’ve kept it up. Go to Black & Read, Andy buys Souixsie & Banshees CD. I buy nothing. Go to Wax Trax and browse. Back to Alf’s, say goodbye. Fill up tank, drive to airport, drop off rental car. Waiting for our flight, we eat at a sit-down place right by our gate: the Front Range Grille. I have a $6 Guinness. It’s worth it. We both fantasize about having 1 more day of vacation, but it’s back to work. I tell Andy I love him. We get on the plane. Yadda yadda.