Neither of us could remember ever being there before. Which is surprising, since it is so close. Probably almost every member of our community manages to get up there at least once a year.

But not us. Pretty sure I took that route over the mountains once, long ago, but I sure didn't remember the scenery.

So on a spur of the moment, a scouting trip was arranged. The future bride and groom guiding I and the two soon-to-be mothers-in-law up to see the sites the couple has selected.

There in the high mountains ahead of us.

We passed through the small tourist town that will host their reception, and the nuptials in the event of inclement weather.

Their reception hall is, well...

Different.

Yep. About as touristy as it can possibly be. Their first choice, a lodge high in the mountains fell out because:

a) someone else booked it

b) the chef/caterer that the kids wanted so bad quit that place

and c) the lodge is currently for sale, and the folks there aren't that positive they'll be running the place on any given date, much less for the coming wedding.

The good news?

The caterer they wanted, who they had liked and heard such good things about?

Is now running the restaurant at the touristy place.

Hence the late change in plans, and comparatively late wedding announcements (one of those unwritten entries back a few months).

So. It is available, has good, reliable people, the caterer they want, and is close to the chapel.

Who cares how it's decorated?

So what if it has real raccoon and skunk hides hung on the restaurant walls?

The tiffany hall lights are cool.

As is the Harley made entirely out of wicker.

If they're over 18, wedding guests can even enjoy the pool room.

Complete with a neon-decorated steer's skull.

But what we all really wanted to see was the chapel. Another 2,400' (730m) higher into the mountains. Just below treeline, at 10,400'.

It is a beautiful, simple little chapel.

With a wonderful view.

Including mountains in the green state to the south.

Nestled in an open mountain meadow, a tiny brook babbling past between it and the parking area. A brook still being fed by huge melting snowbanks.

It will be interesting to see how much of those snowbanks remain coming the wedding day. But for now, they were a great source of cooling joy for heelers and the corgi.

And the chapel was surrounded by wildflowers.

Including a lifelong favorite, from expeditions into the high country of that southern green state,

Alpine forget-me-nots.

Wonderfully appropriate.

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