What a weekend. What a wonderful weekend.
I returned home last night after spending four days in Colorado with my mom. I knew I needed a change of scenery, but to say I hit the jackpot with said scenery change is an understatement. I was simply in awe of the mountains/views. I lost track of the number of times I said “I can’t believe this real!”
My mom is my favorite travel companion (most of the time…she sometimes wants to stay out later than me) and I feel so lucky to have had this special getaway together. This is the first of two posts about my trip, the next will be random thoughts and behind-the-scenes tidbits.
If you are in the Denver area, step 1 is to rent a car. Step 2 is to complete the following day-trips and activities. We spent one day around the actual city of Denver, which I’ll talk about on Thursday!
What to Do in the Denver Area
Boulder
About 30 minutes north of Denver, Boulder is both a college-town and a mecca of outdoor activities.
We started our day with a hike along the Mt. Sanitas trail. It’s about a 3 mile loop with perfect views of the city from the top. We went on a Thursday so the trail wasn’t too crowded (it seemed like mostly locals with their dogs) but I can imagine it gets packed on the weekends.
Tip: Before we left I read a suggestion to hike it counter-clockwise. Smart move. If you go clockwise, it starts off with very steep steps while counter-clockwise is a gradual incline. I haven’t hiked in years (?!) so I needed the gradual incline to warm-up.
After hiking we drove downtown to Pearl Street Mall to shop and eat. There are so many restaurants and boutiques that I think we walked another three miles around the area (not really, but we there for a while).
We ate lunch at Zeal, got smoothies at Wonder and ate dinner at Shine. I can’t even express how happy it made me to have options for gluten-free dining. Not just gluten-free friendly, but 100% gluten-free kitchens. To add to that, it seemed like so many of the restaurants in Boulder care about the quality and sourcing of their food (local, organic, non-GMO, no canola oil). I was very impressed!
Lunch at Zeal
Steak dinner at Shine
Boulder is on my must-return list!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Just under two hours north of Denver is Estes Park, the “entrance” to Rocky Mountain National Park. We got to the park-n-ride around 9 a.m. and had no problem finding parking (later in the day it got really crowded). We went to the Bear Lake trailhead and walked around the lake (0.8 miles) before hiking the Flattop Mountain trail.
There are so many trails in the park that it’s kind of overwhelming. Thankfully, people in Colorado are so friendly and helpful that they pointed us in a good direction. It would have been an 9 mile hike but half-way up it started thundering and drizzling. It kind of set us me into a panic thinking we would be wet and stranded (I’m obviously not a very tough hiker). Plus I only had enough food for one meal! Kidding…but since we really were unfamiliar with the weather/area, we turned around. We think we made it up to about 11,000 feet.
After our picnic (in the car because of weather) we drove some of Trail Ridge Road before walking around Estes Park. Everyone is just so happy in these small towns! You can tell they love where they live.
Garden of the Gods
On our last day in Colorado we drove south to Colorado Springs area to see Garden of the Gods. The name of the park describes it perfectly…all natural-made wonders. I felt like we were in an amusement park because the red rocks looked like Thunder Mountain at Disney World. It was just too beautiful for words and pictures don’t do it justice!
There are a few different trail options, some dirt some paved, along with front-range rock climbing. We mainly walked around the rocks on the paved path (maybe 2 miles total?) and played around with a few feet of climbing.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
I don’t care who is playing, if there is a concert at Red Rocks when you visit Denver, go see it. I would have loved to do yoga on the rocks (the group classes ended for summer) but seeing a concert was just as special.
We bought tickets for Gregory Alan Isakov. Who?! You’ll know his songs from this commercial. His music was actually incredible and fit the relaxed vibe of the venue. We brought food for a tailgate before, although there is food for purchase inside. The seats are wooden benches and people bring seat cushions/blankets (we brought hotel shower towels).
From your seats you have a view of the city, mountains, stars, red rocks and a concert performance. It’s bucket-list worthy.
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Now I’m back in the land of 99% humidity with a refreshed mentality and a renewed sense of motivation. We missed the hurricane that hit Florida so that’s a bonus! I’m slowly getting back to social media/blogging so I will be responding to comments soon. I hope you had an equally great Labor Day Weekend :)
Um I went to a music festival this weekend that was a “concert” of EDM. Not something that I will be doing again. Good music, but very weird to go to in a festival setting (and seeing as I don’t take drugs… yeah). Alex and I are going to Denver next month for a wedding and will have no time to do any of these incredible things, which makes me pretty sad… Want to go back with me?
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I will gladly go back! June-October preferably ;)
You and your mom are so adorable. I love that you two got away and had so much fun. I’ve never really looked into Denver and its gorgeous!! Oh my gosh who knew it had so much to offer. Hiking hasn’t been something I’ve done much of but I would love to!
Heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Labor Day Weekend 2016
Thanks, Heather :) It was the perfect Labor Day getaway! As long as you have a car, you can explore so many different towns. We talked about driving to Wyoming (because when would we do that?!). It’s less than 2 hours from Denver too!
I went to Colorado a few years ago and we did pretty much the exact same trip! It’s such a beautiful state and there’s SO much to do. I’m so glad you had a fun trip! Also- your mom could pass for your sister…give me her secrets!!
Gretchen recently posted…Towpath Half Marathon Training : Week 2
Next time I want to see the western half of the state! We stayed in Beaver Creek a few years ago but there are so many more cute ski towns that I bet would be fun in the summer.
And you made my mom’s day with that comment! She said it’s because the pictures aren’t up close…but she does look pretty great :)
Amazing pictures. Loved reading about your trip.
We had a blast! Lucky to have missed the storm here.
Wow, you did so much in just a weekend; I love Red Rocks and Garden of our God. :) The red rock is so stunning and beautiful; I hope you had an amazing time in my home state. :)
Your home state is incredible! So much to offer!
Emily! You and your mom are so freaking cute. I’ve been meaning to visit Colorado and this post makes me want to go even more. Thanks for the tips!
Akansha @ Citrus & Gold recently posted…Maybe This is What Quarter Life Crisis Feels Like?
I think we went at the perfect time of year! I’m not a skier but I would learn if if meant a trip back :)
Aw you and your mom are too cute! Denver and Boulder are some of my all-time favorite places to visit. I’ll have to add Rocky Mountain National Park to the list for next time. This past weekend, I was in Atlanta for my best friend’s wedding. It was amazing!
Sara @ Oats & Rows recently posted…Friday Favorites 9/2!
I’m so glad you had a great weekend! And that Hotlanta wasn’t too hot :)
I love that you and your mom did this. I also laughed that your mom likes to stay out later than you haha my mom is a grandma like me, but I think I’m becoming worse with age. Colorado is gorgeous and is a bucket list place for me for sure. I’m trying to go out there in November but it’s still TBD.
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Workouts 8/29-9/4
You’d love it. I want to go back and drive more into the mountains!
Oh my goodness this looks beautiful! and also, your mom looks SO COOL! I want a mom that stays out later than me, hah! I’ve had this strong random desire to visit Colorado, especially since so many of my friends are randomly moving there. Did you have any trouble with the atmosphere differences?
Danielle @ afloat on a full sea
Danielle recently posted…How to hold onto that summer feeling (+ tips to avoid S.A.D.)
No! You know, I was worried going into it that I would get sick from the altitude. We arrived late at night, went right to bed and woke up feeling fine. I’m sure all the water helped too.
I’m visiting Denver for a wedding weekend in a month, definitely going to check out some of these sights!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…A Blogging Break
So many great GF places!
Colorado is so beautiful! My dad went on a trip last year and I was so jealous!!! (One day!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Vegan “Fried” Ice Cream Bombs
It was easy to put my phone down and disconnect…I couldn’t not stare at the mountains!
So pretty! I ran Ragnar Colorado last year but didn’t get a chance to do any hiking. I need to go back!
Kristen recently posted…An Adventurous Long Weekend
What an awesome place for a race! Was it a rough course? Next time I’ll plan a trip around race.
WOW! Those views are absolutely amazing! You are making me want to go there ASAP. I have been wanting to go for a while but this recap makes me want to go even more now lol. Such a great way to celebrate the long weekend!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
It is an incredibly beautiful state! Second time there and can’t wait to go back.
I would love to visit Colorado some day soon! I definitely want to check out Boulder and Garden of the Gods. My Dad was actually out there visiting a friend about a month ago, they went to a concert at Red Rocks and he said it was incredible experience! Glad you had fun!
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Thanks, Sarah! Right near Garden of the Gods is the Olympic Training Center too! We went on a Sunday so it was closed but that would be a fun side trip too.
You saw Gregory Alan Isakov at Red Rocks?!?! I can’t tell you how jealous I am!!! I saw him at a small venue in Nashville a couple years ago I love him so much.And he’s from Colorado even cooler!
We LOVED him! His music was perfect for the venue, even if we didn’t know his songs. Got lucky with that one!
AW! Thanks for the blast from the past! I lived in Boulder for 4.5 years for college!! And now it just feels like a BLIP in my past life!
What an awesome place to go to college! So many great food options (two Whole Foods)…lucky kids.
Ahh I still can’t get over how we were there at the same time and did a ton of the same things! Such a small world:) I’m obsessed with the Denver area and Colorado in general and would love to move there someday! We were at Red Rocks the day of that concert on Sunday and heard the performer warming up!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Summer Reads
STOP! I didn’t know you were there that day. You should look at who’s playing at Red Rocks (maybe next year at this point) and go to a concert. It was awesome.
that looks fun ! i was in denver as a little kid and all i remember was it was warm where we were but you could see snow on mountains and i couldnt wrap my little brain around that. hahaha. 100% GF kitchens are gods way of reminding you he exists when you travel….cuz traveling GF makes you question it sometimes ! that’s what i say at least ! my last trip to Toronto i was seriously questioning if i should ever leave my house when low and behold an awesome bakery/breakfast/lunch spot that was 100% GF and had BAGELS…yes soft, good, GF BAGELS was placed in front of me. i knew then he hadn’t totally forgotten me !
Ha loved your comment about GF kitchens. It was an incredible feeling to know I couldn’t get glutened!
It always intrigues me how different a hike can be if you do it in reverse! We walk one trail in the park near our house all the time which is quite easy, however, we decided to do it in reverse last year and it was SO challenging! Now we use that when we want something a little more difficult as it’s climbing uphill and climbing multiple flights of steep rock stairs where the other way it’s all downhill and down stairs! :P
A 100% gluten free cafe/restaurant is pretty much my DREAM as it means no gluten freakouts haha!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Healthy PB&J Baked Oatmeal (Vegan & GF!)
I’m really glad we read that tip online because it made a huge difference! I wish every restaurant could be 100% GF….if only :)
Oh Colorado is SO incredible! I’m so glad you had the opportunity to travel there! My boyfriend’s family lives in a suburb of Boulder so we are there at least once a year, usually more. Rocky Mountain Park is so beautiful, and so are the Flatirons.
I just got back from Hawaii last Sunday–I was there for a week and boy, was that ever a change of scenery from Minnesota! :P I loved it.
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life recently posted…Food for Thought: Changing Seasons
Hawaii doesn’t sound bad at all ;) I’m glad you had a great time!
If this is your first trip to Colorado, it sounds like you did a great job exploring. If you get a chance to go back I would recommend getting out to some of the mountain ranges where the ski resorts are located. My parents own a place out in Steamboat, CO and we spend many Christmases out there. I was also just there over Memorial Day weekend, it was a blast. Love the weather and the scenery!
I love the Denver area, there are so many great activities to do. Great pics, thanks for sharing your adventures!
It’s an amazing place! The scenery made any photo-taking very easy.
The national park looks gorgeous! What a great place to explore. The red rocks also look incredible! Reminds me of similar pictures I’ve seen of Utah.
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We were debating between visiting Utah or Colorado! I’ve heard incredible things about the mountains in Utah too.