ColoRADo!

This past weekend I got to visit my old stomping grounds: Colorado. In the 6 days I was there, I visited 3 (well, technically 4) cities, had countless friend dates and local run-ins, played tourist, saw a show, went on numerous hikes, did tons of mountain yoga, went dancing, and had 2 wildlife sightings! It was hardly a restful trip, but was AMAZING! 

Wednesday: Denver 

After arriving at DIA, I booked it to Cherry Creek to go for a run in the gorgeous neighborhood there before going to my favorite Denver yoga teacher's class: Billy at Pura Vida.

After lunch at True Foods, walking around, and running some errands, my normal Denver day, I posted up in my favorite coffee shop to do a bit of work. Then headed over to Highlands to meet my best friend. We had a rainy walk (stop drop and handstand included) to Linger to enjoy some yummy tapas while overlooking the city. 

Thursday: Denver

I started the morning at a yummy new coffee shop in Jules's neighborhood with a cappuccino and an almond ricotta muffin (gluten free!). It was a good opportunity to catch up on some Instagram work, and play with a baby in the coffee shop! Some city yoga also started the day, and was definitely a highlight throughout it.

I then proceeded to meet Caitlin (yup, my roommate from Portland!) and her friend for brunch at Olive and Finch before heading to the Denver Art Museum. Gotta love playing tourist!

Back to Linger for dinner and then downstairs for yummy ice cream before...

Red Rocks! Even though it rained, it was so awesome being back at this amazing venue, with Caitlin and Rachel, and to see Neil Young no less! A rainbow even appeared...

I did make the dark, rainy drive up the mountain after the show so that I'd wake up in the mountains the next morning! Scary but worth it!

Friday: Breckenridge

I headed into town first thing for two reasons. 1. To see this view, and bust a handstand. Gorgeous, right?! 2. I was starving! I headed to Cuppa Joe's to meet my good friend Emily and for my usual cappuccino and granola. Mmmmm...

Then I hiked up Peak 10 with my best friend Ella. I'd gotten in so late, I hadn't seen her the night before, and then she'd fallen back asleep while waiting for me to wake up, so giving her a big giant hug finally was amazing! The clouds were a little precarious, so we stayed close. But it gave us a chance to hike up what we used to skin up, see the amazing view, and those wildflowers!

After lunch at Soupz On and some chill time, I went in to town for some quality time with the people at Hearthstone, the restaurant where I used to work (omg their reaction when I walked in was awesome!). Ella and Kellyn met me for some happy hour there and Twist. 

Saturday: Breckenridge (and Aspen)

After starting the day with a sweet potato burrito at Joe's with Ella, we set off for an unexpected adventure to Independence Pass. It's a gorgeous drive, and we found hidden pockets of waterfalls, raging rivers, and grottos! We capped it off with watching the boys show off their manhood by swimming in the cold River and lunch in Aspen.  

After dinner with my boss at Hearthstone, which gave me an opportunity to grill the new employees, I headed over to Southridge Seafood to hang with a bunch of friends from work. Such a great reunion! 

Then it was off to dancing with my ladies at Gold Pan! It happened to be a group of girls we new that came up from Denver with Jules for a bachelorette party. So fun! 

Sunday: Breckenridge 

I started the day off with a breakfast (oatmeal latte anyone?) and handstand date with Jen. 

Then it was off to hike Mohawk Lakes with Leslie. Not only did she take me up my favorite hike a different way, take yoga pose pictures all along the way, and get to the third lake (of five, but a first for me!), but we also saw a moose! We stopped to take a picture of a flower and I looked up, and there it was, 20 yards away just snacking. First I've seen in Colorado, and it happens when I'm visiting! It was perfect: blue sky, green (never seen this green in Colorado), wildflowers, snowcapped peaks, alpine lakes, yoga with friends, rare wildlife sighting... Love that hike!

Then off to lunch with Canaan and her Avery at Amazing Grace. So happy I finally got my hands on that baby! Oh, and to see Canaan too! 

They evening was spent with Kellyn. We hung out in her newly-planted garden while I loved on Cutty, headed into town to have dinner at Relish where Jordan joined us and Adam stopped by for a hug, and then had a chill night watching Sons of Anarchy while I caught up on Instagram and again loved Cutty. Serious cloud porn that night too!

Monday: Boulder

After a quick coffee with Kellyn, I set off for Boulder. I met Lindsey for a hike in the Eldorado Canyon. So beautiful! It was cloudy (and a little humid), which made for a unusually sweaty hike, but so gorgeous with all the wildflowers and the Flat Iron mountains. Another wildlife sighting got our adrenaline pumping at the start though. One more step forward and Lindsey would have stepped on a rattlesnake! Excuse me for being a bit girly, but ewww...

Rumbling bellies took us into Lousiville for sandwiches at the new and adorable Moxie Bread Company. Olive oil, greens, manchego, and prosciutto on homemade bread. Yummmm! Then it was off into Boulder to see the house Lindsey and her husband just bought, and to get some time with their 4 and a half year-old son! Man, my little guy has gotten big!

The awesome thing about a small town is getting to see people everywhere. I was told repeatedly, "Welcome home!" Well, it definitely felt like that! Even though I'm loving Portland, I had my thoughts questioning why I left. But of course everything is perfect and wonderful when you're on vacation, right? Breckenridge, you're amazing and I love you! I'll see all of you soon!