Active weekend

Last weekend (not this past one, but the one before that.  yea, that one) was a very active weekend for me!  Why, you ask?  Because I was able to work out at Red Rocks AND get in a hike!  Saturday was the annual Fitness on the Rocks.  This was the 5th year, and my 4th year participating.  It is a perfect example of why I love living in Colorado.  Why?  Because thousands and thousands of people pay to work out together. There is something absolutely amazing about looking around you, while you stand on the seats in a beautiful amphitheater and watch as everyone is doing the same thing as you, and enjoying it! Ahhhh!!!
Of course, Brandy and I went together.  This is our 3rd year doing fitness on the rocks, and we love it!!

 This year we decided to have fun taking pictures while we waited for the workout to start!

our attempt to get us both jumping in the same picture!

working my core

post workout!

 

 The next day, Anne, Jay and I went for a hike.  My muscles were sore from the day before, but it felt good to get out and stretch and walk and work a little bit more.  The hike we went on was just outside of Evergreen, called Watershed North.  And while it wasn't a terrible hike... its not we'll be repeating.  Getting there was tough and the hike wasn't worth the effort.  At least we didn't think so!  It was still pretty in parts...

All in all, another great weekend!! We're winding down on the end of July... so we only have a few more weeks of good summer time left!  Looks like we'll be having more adventures here soon.

Soul Refresher

Do you ever have those weeks where you just feel fried and frazzled and totally out of sorts?  I do, for sure.  Luckily, there are a few things that help me feel soooo much better!  One of them, hiking. Being outside in nature. Soaking up the sunshine, breathing in the piney, fresh air.  Sweating and accomplishing something.

Jay and I did just that this weekend.  We had every intention of camping, but just couldn't find the time to pull our camping gear together.  Instead, we set the alarm for early (so early) Saturday morning and headed out for a long hike.

We originally were planning to head towards Mt. Evans to do the Chicago Lakes hike, but were foiled by a bike race that was happening on the roads leading up to the trailhead.  So, instead, we headed towards Berthoud Pass for some trails.

  Berthoud Pass is part of the continental divide which is also a trail that stretches an incredibly long distance. The trailhead there is well marked, as a trailhead, but nothing else.  No trail map, nothing.  So...we just set off!  We figured if we hiked for about 2 hours up and 2 hours back, we'd get the distance we wanted.  Turns out, we did just that, and managed to climb a mountain in the process!  We climbed Mt. Flora, a 13,146 ft. mountain.  Not a 14'er like so many here in Colorado, but no small feat either!

getting started, in the trees

my favorite adventure partner

getting higher, so much snow!

The hike itself was gorgeous and not crowded at all.  We got to the top and were able to take some gorgeous pictures, stop and rest and even eat some lunch. 

far above treeline

ridge to another mountain (we didn't try it)

Jay and I at the top

cairn marking the peak

looking down on a glacier

goodbye top of the mountain!

As the clouds started to move in, we headed back down the mountain.  It ended up being about a 6.5 mile hike.  And after...?  I felt refreshed.  My soul felt healed and soothed and I was ready for this next week to begin. Thanks for the dose of medicine, Colorado!

one of my fave shots of the day

Chalk Art 2015

Every year Jay and his buddy Nate get down and dirty at the Denver Chalk Art Festival.  They flex their serious artistic skills and brave the heat, sun and yes, rain to put down some awesome temporary chalk art. There are so many amazing artists that come and show off as well, and it is truly one of my favorite things to do to kick off the summer months!

This past weekend, the artists showed up bright and early Saturday morning and got right to work.  Jay sent me a text about 2pm to tell me it was POURING rain... and all their hard work had gotten washed away!  Oh no!!!! But he and Nate, along with so many artists, persevered and hunkered down to finish their pieces by Sunday afternoon.

Check out some of the pictures and of course the beautiful, colorful finished piece:

the finished product!!

Old friends are the greatest friends

I find myself lucky enough to have some absolutely amazing friends.  In my world, my friends are my family!  This past weekend I was able to reconnect with my good friend Miranda.  We've known each other now for 11 years. 11!  Which only seems like a lot because it doesn't really feel like 11!  We met in Scotland when we were there studying abroad and have been friends ever since.  She's getting married in just a few weeks in Seattle and was out here to spend some time with her CO friends before it happened.  And I am glad she did!!!

It was great to reconnect, have a few drinks, catch up on life and just spend some time together.  I miss her like crazy.  But as she said, maybe when we're "older" we'll figure out how to live in the same state again. :)

pic from this weekend

a pic from college graduation (circa 2006) 

Steamboat Camping

This past weekend, Jay and I went camping up at Steamboat Lake.  Anne and her fam were up there too, staying in a cabin.  It was a quick turnaround for us, since we came home on Monday and headed out for camping on Thursday!  Regardless, it was lovely to get away again.  And we had much better weather this time around.

The spot where we camped was gorgeous.  But the whole area was a lot more commercial and populated than we would typically choose for camping.  That being said, we will probably not go back.

We set up camp Thursday night, had a quick dinner and went to bed.  We had originally planned to go hiking Friday morning, but we woke up to a grey sky and rain!  We slept in a bit instead, made a yummy warm breakfast, hung out and relaxed and then eventually met Anne and her family in town for lunch.  Afterward, we headed to Strawberry Park Hot Springs for an afternoon of relaxation.  That place is amazing!

our campsite

beautiful day!

looking down at the hot springs

The next day we got up early and went for a long hike.  6 miles!! It was a beautiful day and borderline hot.  Both Jay and I got some sun for the first time in a while!

That night we had a combined dinner with Anne and family.  Hung out, talked, etc.  It was really nice.

very calm lake

mountain sunset

The next day we packed up and headed home!! We'll have a bit of a break before we head out on our next camp adventure.

sunrise!