Today was the day to meet up with Amanda and Emmie, and also the day where wedding activities begun in full force, beginning with the rehearsal scheduled for 3:30 p.m. We joined the in-laws for breakfast in Grand Junction before checking out of the hotel and beginning our trip to Montrose, the city where Amanda and Emmie were flying into, and the site of our lodging for the next two nights.
Noah again shows off his photo skills with this picture of me at our pizza place.
With Amanda and Emmie’s plane delayed for about an hour, we had an opportunity to eat lunch in Montrose before going to the airport. I chose Colorado Boy Pizzeria, a downtown, local place serving wood-fired pizzas. While it felt like the restaurant was trying a little too hard with their toppings (the BLT pizza didn’t need Gorgonzola cheese), the pizza was very good.
Noah loved giving his necklace to Amanda.
We arrived at the Montrose airport just in time for Amanda and Emmie to come through the gate. Noah gave both of them a handful of hugs before we worked our way to the car, and subsequently the adjacent hotel, to check-in and unload luggage.
The registration table was setup for guests.
Slated as one of two ring bearers in the wedding, Noah did a tremendous job following instructions during the rehearsal at the Community Church in nearby Ridgway. He walked down the aisle with the flower girl and stood quietly at the front by his uncles Austin and Adam. After a second run-through, we walked a few blocks to the site of the rehearsal dinner, True Grit Cafe, named for the 1969 John Wayne film which was filmed in the area.
Noah always has fun with Adam and Kimber.
The wedding party and assorted family members gathered in the homey cafe, where a yummy fajita buffet was served to our group on the restaurant’s second floor. After dinner, Amanda presented Amelia with her rolling pin. Started by Amanda’s Great Grandfather, Herbert Box, the tradition of the rolling pin began when Herbert’s own granddaughters began finding their mates.
One-by-one, they married, and Herbert would consistently get each granddaughter a very special present just from him: a rolling pin. With the rolling pin would come the instructions for use: not just to roll out pie dough, but to keep her new man in line. Amanda’s uncle, Robert Box, has taken it upon himself to continue Herbert’s tradition by supplying each new family bride with a rolling pin, along with the permission to use it if needed.
As the first great-granddaughter to receive her rolling pin from Uncle Bob, Amanda took the task of making sure Amelia understood the importance and necessity of such a tool, along with the history behind this important family tradition.
While not quite a a Box yet, Amelia yielded the rolling pin with surprising dexterity and skill. Onlookers agreed it was in line with the most seasoned of rolling-pin-using Box women, Joy Box.
Much of the dinner crew stayed in Ridgway to decorate the reception site, but Amanda, Noah, Emmie and I joined Amanda’s Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob for a trip to Ouray, billed as the Switzerland of America. The chocolates, cookies, and ice cream we sampled at Mouse’s Chocolates were all good, and the short hike provided a tremendous view of Cascade Falls.
Emmie helped with this picture by choosing the “blue-only” setting on the camera.
While Amanda and Noah were ready to call it a night, Emmie wanted to do anything but sleep. I took her out with Austin, Adam, and Kimber for a pre-wedding fast food run which featured Sonic and Taco Bell. At Sonic, we shared mozzarella sticks and sampled the new Nerds slush. We made the impromptu addition of Taco Bell to sample the new Quesaritos. They were excellent.
Saturday, June 14 (Wedding Day)
To this point of the trip, Bart didn’t miss an opportunity to suggest visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. With an afternoon wedding, we had a few hours of free time Saturday morning and decided to make the park our destination.
Emmie stood on her toes for the best views.
While there were several trails available for intense hikers, we focused on the viewpoints either adjacent to the road or accessible within a few hundred yards. In our hour-and-a-half visit, we managed to stop six times, making time to take in the scenery and take photos to document the visit.
Austin and Noah, groom and ring bearer.
Amanda and Emmie in front of the canyon.
The Box siblings at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
While our extended family went to the hotel to prepare for the wedding, Amanda, Noah, Emmie, and I followed our park visit with a stop at Taco Bell. This allowed both Amanda the opportunity to try the goodness that was the Quesarito and get some food for the kids before they were dressed for the afternoon wedding.
A proud Amanda, posing with Noah prior to the wedding.
Emmie and I sat in the back for the wedding, but Amanda had a front-row seat of the action, including Noah’s awesome job as ring bearer. After a short ceremony followed by more family photos, we were on our way to the nearby Sherbino Theater for the reception.
Amanda and Kimber walked with Emmie to the reception.
The meal at the reception was very good, highlighted by brisket, mac and cheese, and dinner rolls. Over the course of the evening, we listened to entertaining toasts from the Best Man and Matron of Honor, evaluated the dancing skills of the bridal party, witnessed soon-to-be-sister-in-law Kimber catch her third wedding bouquet, and saw Noah and Emmie go back and forth from super-active to super-tired over the course of the evening.
Bride and groom wedding dance at the Sherbino Theater reception.
Emmie couldn’t stay still during the quiet wedding, but enjoyed a great nap at the noisy reception.
Amanda and Noah pose for a photo at the reception.
After the reception, we returned to the hotel where Amanda and Emmie went to sleep while Noah and I burned off any remaining energy in the hotel pool.
Sunday, June 15
Several months ago, Amanda and I were asked by Adam to help document his proposal to long-time-girlfriend Kimber. Disguised originally as an early-morning hike to take scenic family photos, the group size dwindled when the kids reportedly weren’t feeling well enough for a walk. Thus, the hiking party consisted of Amanda, Adam, Kimber and me while the in-laws watched the kids.
We drove about 25 miles south of our Montrose hotel to Ridgway State Park, chosen by Adam as the site of the hike and eventual proposal. After checking in at the Visitor’s Center, we began the 1-mile Cookie Tree Trail hike, which promised great views of the San Juan Mountains and Ridgway Reservoir. After a few stops for photos along the way, we reached the bottom of the trail. Adam’s succint proposal was accepted, and we’ll look forward to another June wedding in 2015.
At the end of the trail, post-engagement.
After returning to the hotel, we made the scenic drive through the San Juan Mountains to the Durango-La Plata County Airport for our return flights to Iowa.
Emmie stood still long enough to watch our plane from the airport windows.
Amanda and Emmie managed a ridiculously long layover in Denver, while Noah and I rushed from gate to gate to board our flight back to Cedar Rapids. We made a quick dinner stop at the south Cedar Rapids pizza hut before driving back to Ankeny. Amanda and Emmie arrived on-time to Des Moines, returning home a shade before midnight.
Editor’s Note: Amanda contributed to this post.