Amy and Kristen have been hanging out this weekend. On Friday evening, they got pedicures together. They were both dressed similarly.
On Saturday, Kristen didn't have work. Kristen got another piercing in her upper ear.
Kristen made crochet pumpkins as decorations for Amy's apartment, she also made banana bread and the two of them watched Sunday morning General Conference together.
After returning from Italy, Chris really wanted to hike the Manitou Incline. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but eventually said. "Fine." I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
The incline is in Manitou Springs, about 30 minutes from Monument, and is an extremely steep hiking trail with 2,744 railroad-tie steps with 2,011 (613 m) feet of elevation gain in 0.88 miles (1.42 km).
The trail is the remains of a former narrow gauge funicular. The tracks were washed out in 1990 from a rock slide. The average grade is 45% but can be as steep as 68% in sections
The top marker on the steps marks 2,768 steps, however, with maintenance and deterioration, the actual number of steps since September 2025 are 2,744.
Regardless, it is a popular hike that varieties of people participate choose to climb: young, old, fit, and out-of-shape.
We made reservations for October 3. There was no one to check our reservation, so I guess if you wanted, you could go whenever. I would recommend that the best time is in the morning when temperatures are cooler, however, there are many sections of shade along the way. I'm pretty sure, if you climb it, you'll be stopping regularly.
Misha joined us as we all arrived at the base around 8:30 am. We took off together, but Chris pulled ahead rather quickly. Misha and I stayed together for most of the climb.
I would hike about 100 steps and then pull over and let my heart rate slow down. About half way up, I was battling nausea and had to stop more often to keep from throwing up. When they say the incline is extreme, they are not joking.
The steps are often uneven, sometimes so tall for my short legs. Using our hands was often necessary.
Misha and I stopped around 10 am to watch the Air Football Game flyover. The planes were pretty small in the sky and too far away for the blast of sound as they flew by.
Pretty sure Chris waited for us for at least 45 minutes at the top. It was such a struggle for Misha and I to continue on, but we finally completed the climb.
But that's not all, we still had a 3.5 mile hiked down the Barr Trail. There's no way we were climbing back down those steps, and actually it is strictly prohibited. That didn't stop some inconsiderate people from doing it anyway. They just got in the way of those going up. Don't be like that guy in the pic!
We reached the top and felt grateful to be done the climb.
The hike down was on a nice path that switchbacked down the side of Mount Manitou. We enjoyed the color of changing leaves at higher elevations.
When asked what to have for lunch, I said I was craving Burger King. There were only two location choices. It hit the spot. We were worn out and a little sunburnt.
Misha showered and headed out to meet up with friends in Denver. Chris thought he would go out and weed for two hours. There was no way my body would even consider weeding.
Would I hike it again? A most emphatic "NO!"
We had 4 bucks in our backyard Saturday morning. At one point, two were sparring. It kind of looked like boys being boys.
Our stake has offered some pretty neat events in the past year that we have been here. They erected tabernacle similar to Biblical times, they had a Christmas nativity event, there was an Easter experience, and just recently the "Walk with Christ" event.
The Walk with Christ was set up in the field not too far from our home. A mile-long path with 9 stations was created. When participants arrived, they were asked to stop for a picture and then to write in fluorescent pen one of the challenges that they felt were burdens on their shoulders.
Chris and I finished this station and went to the next where we given headphones with a soundtrack that corresponded to each of the stations.
The first station talked about the love of the Savior. At station 3, we walked through a row of papers hanging from wires. We were handed fluorescent flashlights so that as we walked through the row, we read the challenges that people had written. They were so speedy in hanging up the papers; things we had just written were already hanging up.
It was poignant to read the burdens that others were feeling overwhelmed with and burdens that they were encouraged to ask the Savior help them carry.
We continued along the dark path lighted with small lights along the way. We were encouraged to wear good walking shoes or hiking boots.
At station 7, we sat and listened to the sound track while looking at pictures of the crucifixion.
Station 9 was hidden behind a copse of scrub oak, and as we rounded the corner, a 12-foot replica of the coming Colorado Springs Temple was lit up. It was amazing. (Chris' boss built the temple).
A couple were at this station and both bore their testimonies. Such an poignant experience. If you ever get the change to "Walk with Christ", I highly recommend it.
Misha has zero love for her current job. The atmosphere in the real estate office is very closed off and unfriendly. She has been applying for new jobs and was called for a phone interview as a graphic designer with Snooze (a breakfast eatery). It will be on October 9th at 11:30 am.
Because one of Chris' designers is out on sick leave for a couple of months, he was able to hire Misha as a temporary contractor to fill some of the spots left empty by the other employee.
Since MIsha's current hours are Monday through Thursday, she is able to easily work Friday and earn a few extra dollars.
She drove to Monument on Thursday evening so that she could go in to the Pivot Door Co. office on Friday. The difference between PDC and the real estate office was night and day. She mentioned that many at PDC were so friendly and came to say hi throughout the day.
She even got a sweatshirt so that when she and Chris stopped at Costco on the way home from work, they were twinning and both advertising for PDC.
Chris and I were asked to help clean the Denver Temple after the last session. We were not thrilled by the 45-minute drive and then the cleaning starting at 9 pm. Neither of us are night people.
We worked until 11 pm by vacuuming different areas of the temple. It was hardly dirty. In fact, encountering a piece of string or fuzz on the carpet was actually exciting to feel as though we were able to vacuum up something.
We went with a couple from our ward, Braden and Julie Reynolds. They have recently returned from living in Portugal for 3 years while Braden completed a PhD Program.