Monday, November 7, 2016

Tim Gets A Taste of Colorado

Tim has never been to Colorado.  Thanks to a long weekend and Frontier airfares, we were able to make a trip that way.  We got in around 7:00pm and stopped by my dad's place to say hi.  My little sister, Kelly, had just gotten out of jaw surgery, so it was nice to visit with her to cheer her up.  Then we headed to Boulder.

In the morning we went to my favorite breakfast place: Turley's Kitchen.  They have amazing juices and I talked Tim into taking a shot of wheat grass.  He asked me what it might taste like, and I said, "Grass."  He said it tasted earthy, but it's healthy...welcome to Boulder!

Then we rented bikes so I could show Tim my alma mater: The University of Colorado at Boulder!  They have a new Buff swimming pool at the Rec Center (awesome! but also why I don't give money to CU).  And Boulder is growing with lots of new off-campus housing and shopping areas. 
 
 
 
Tim of course loved seeing Folsom Field!  Run Ralphie Run!!!
 

We then heading up Boulder Canyon to walk by Boulder Creek for a little while.  Beautiful!

 
We stopped by the Rio Grande because they have the strongest margaritas in town! (Two is the limit!) Then we returned our bikes and stopped by Chautauqua Park to see the Flat Irons.  
 
 
 
After freshening up at the hotel, we headed to the Walnut Brewery where we could sample awesome beers and watch the Mountaineers win against Kansas.  (Let's GO!)  Before we called it a night, we discovered an amazing ice cream place on 11th and Walnut that was packed with students (so we knew it must be good).  We got cookies sandwiches and turned in!

 
 
On Sunday, we headed to Buena Vista, Colorado via I-70 (through the mountains).  It was a beautiful drive and I was pumped to show Tim the BIG mountains.  We stopped at Idaho Springs and saw an old mine (there are many along the way).  Then we stopped at Silverthorne and I got a new pair of pink ski pants (those are hard to find in the 'nati!)  I suggested Tim get some long socks since he didn't bring pants and had yet to discover just how cold it can get in the mountains.
 
 
 
 
We stopped in Leadville and randomly ate Chinese for lunch. 
 
 
Then we finally ended up in Buena Vista where we were staying for the nights.  We headed up over Cottonwood Pass to find some hikes.  At the top, it was windy and cold!!!  I haven't been up over that pass in a long time, and Tim was very impressed at seeing the Continental Divide and some seriously tall mountains.
 

 
We headed down and did a hike up Denny's Creek toward Mt. Yale.  It was a bit steep and we were running out of time (end of daylight savings...whah!)  But we really wanted to get to the lake!  Maybe just ahead...maybe just ahead...2 hours later...maybe just ahead.  Nope.  We didn't make it, but we're pretty sure it was another mile and it was getting dark.  For Tim's first time in the mountains, 6 miles is a pretty great hike!!!  Yeah Tim!
 


 
So we rewarded ourselves with a nice long soak at Cottonwood Hot Springs.  The stars were out in all their glory and the tubs were hot.  It was the most peaceful relaxing spot and we soaked it up.  (But there was a girl who was completely wasted and her boyfriend was looking for her.  Somehow she ended up behind a fence and no one could find her.  Drama.)
 
Since Tim and I could not seem to get off East Coast time, we were awake the next day at 5:30am.  We decided to watch the sunrise over the Collegiate Peaks.  What a beautiful sight!  Strangely, we saw a hunter who picked a scenic viewing area as a choice spot to shoot some game.  Not safe!
 




Then we got coffee and walked along the Arkansas River on a perfectly blue Colorado day.  I love Buena Vista!

 
 
So we headed back to Boulder via Golden.  We decided to eat at a Mexican restaurant in Golden and we both ordered a margarita.  The waitress came back with 4; apparently it was 2 for 1 happy hour!  That got us warmed up to stopping off in El Dorado Canyon with a beer in hand.  Then we decided to pretend we were back in college in Boulder and hit up my favorite bars: LIT at Half Fast Subs, beer at the Boulder Pub, checking out the new Arcade Bar (pumpkin white Russian...brilliant!), and finishing off at Conner O'Neil's!  And thank you to the new bike share stations...you made life much easier!
 

 
 

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Paddlefest

So I am a sponsor and board member for Outdoor Adventure Club of Greater Cincinnati and we get urban teens outdoors.  All profits from Paddlefest go to OACGC, so I got involved with Paddlefest this year (which of course means I got Tim and friends involved too)!  Paddlefest is the largest paddle event in the United States!  Thousands of people paddle the Ohio River via kayak, canoe, or even paddleboard.  My job was to get students who participate in OACGC involved in helping at the Covington landing, a halfway mark for the event.  It was a beautiful day for the event and the students had a blast.  I have made some great connections through Paddlefest and OACGC and continue to meet outdoor enthusiasts who support great causes!







Thursday, June 16, 2016

On the Farm in Indiana

Tim and I went up to visit my family in June; it's always an adventure on the farm!  We were able to have a BBQ with the fam, visit the cows, see the bald eagles, let the bull into the pin, and have lovely discussion around the campfire.  I love my family and I love when Tim gets to know my family better and better each year!




Sunday, June 12, 2016

Chicago!

My awesome college roommate, Andrea, had a work trip in Chicago and extended it into the weekend.  I took the MegaBus up (which was quite convenient) and met her and Laura in the windy city! 

We stayed at the Congress Hotel on Michigan Ave. and had an amazing time.  We ate deep dish pizza and caught up on Andrea's 2nd pregnancy and thoughts of buying a new house.  She got to see my engagement ring and we got excited for the wedding!
 
 
On our first full day, we went to the top of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower, which apparently is what all Chicagoans still call it).  The line was HUGE, but it was super cool at the top.  They had a special on my favorite movie of all time: Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  I got to hang with my pals Cameron, Simone, and of course Ferris!  I also ventured out into a glass box hanging over the city.  Andrea and Laura were too nervous to enter, and I don't blame them; it was totally freaky being able to see a drop over 100 floors tall!

 
 
Then we ate Chicago style hot dogs.  I cannot believe I have been missing out on this "relish"ing treat for so long!  It was loaded with I don't even know what, but it was delicious!


Then, to continue our Ferris tour, we went to the Art Institute of Chicago.  So much to see, including a touring display of miniature rooms that reflected different periods and eras.  Very cool!



The next day we went to Navy Pier to ride the Ferris Wheel (which was invented for the World's Fair in Chicago).  Then we took the architecture tour on the Chicago River.  It lived up to the hype and we learned heaps about the Chicago fire and all of the skyscrapers that have been built in that great city.  And they served cocktails on the boat!




That night we made reservations at RPM Italian; apparently a place where celebrities frequent.  I felt a little out of place there, but the food was pretty good (better than a Chicago style hot dog? the jury is still out). 

Our final day consisted of a FREE walking tour.  We got to see the Tiffany glass inside Marshall Fields and outdoor art by Picasso and Chagall.  We ended the tour in Millennial Park at The Bean.  Then I had to catch my bus back to Cincinnati!  It was a great trip in a city I love.  Thanks Chi-town!