Hi Colorado, it's Me Again!

I have so much to share from my first trip to Colorado this summer!  I have been back twice since then and have one more weekend in August where I'll be visiting some new and fun places!  Stay tuned for that!

I was able to check out some pretty cool places this past June and wanted to share a little bit of them all!  From Paint Mines to Canyon Roads, Colorful Waterfalls and hiking Seven Bridges to tackling the Manitou Incline; there isn't one place I didn't enjoy because we all know how much I love the Rocky Mountain state!

My first day I made a quick stop to hike around the Paint Mines, located right outside Calhan off Hwy 24.  Think brightly colored bands of clay that was collected by American Indians to be used for paint and evidence of life dating back 9,000 years ago.  There are four miles of trails and views that will never be forgotten.

Phantom Canyon Road was my next adventure.  Birdie and I made our way up starting at Hwy 50 and making our way to Cripple Creek.  Be ready for some of the most amazing views you will ever see.   This unpaved scenic drive will leave you speechless with stone tunnels, steel and wooden bridges, and an elevation climb of 4,000 feet.

Rainbow Falls, Seven Bridges, and the Manitou Incline also made the itinerary.  Rainbow Falls is located on Fountain Creek in Manitou Springs and received it's name from the graffiti painted on the canyon walls and bridge overpass.  It's pretty cool!  We also hiked Seven Bridges Trail which follows North Cheyenne Creek. The trail gets its name because cross seven bridges leading up to an amazing waterfall.  It's worth the 3.7 miles! Another venture was the Manitou Incline; I've done it once before and this time was even better.  Up in 59 minutes and down the face of the mountain in 45.  Just 2,744 steps and you are at the top!  Warning, it's basically straight up!

I also ran my 5th Slacker Half Marathon; this year with my Colorado bestie, Alec.  And this year, we started out running in snow and a cool 40°. About 2.5 hours later we were back in Georgetown sipping on cold brews from the Guanella Pass Brewery, hanging with friends, and getting our Parker the Snow Dog fix.

You know I do not go to Colorado Springs without hitting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo because Giraffes and this time we went a little higher, driving up to take in the views from the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.  We then headed downtown to try Frozen Gold, ice cream that is taken to the next level... it truly is gold.

See You Soon Colorado✌
Shona

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Woke up in Kansas, Had Breakfast in Colorado

It's my birthday and I'll fly if I want to...I just had to.  We left on an early flight to Denver, landing at 7:30 MST, grabbed our bags and our rental car and we were off to Denver.  I wanted to stop by Snooze AM Eatery, one of my favorites places for breakfast for two reasons; I was hungry and I had to show the BF a must-stop place in Denver.  It's our first time together in one of my favorite states, so I felt obligated to introduce him to what I like to call Colorado gems.

After breakfast we headed off to Golden, mainly to walk the cute little downtown area and explore the shops.  Because we like to take the more off-the-beaten-path roads anywhere we go, we didn't see any reason not to do the same in Colorado.  We jumped on US HWY 6 through the Clear Creek Canyon on our way to Idaho Springs.  Once we arrived we stopped by the Visitors Center to get more info on camping and hiking in the area then made our way over to the Charlie Tayler Waterwheel and Bridal Veil Falls.  This cascading frozen waterfall is made by water pouring over from Soda Creek. It plummets into Clear Creek which runs right along I70 and this time of year, is completely frozen.  The Charlie Tayler Waterwheel was built by none other than the man himself in 1893.  He used the wheel for his gold mining operations in Ute Creek.  It was moved to it's current location after being restored and dedicated to Idaho Springs during their Gold Rush Days of 1988.

As we left Idaho Springs, we weren't quite ready to stop exploring so we headed into the Arapaho National Forest up to Echo Lake.  Although the roads were closed once we hit the lake, we were still able to see the beautiful views.  The lake was completely snowed over but made for a gorgeous winter scene being highlighted by the bright Rocky Mountain sunshine.  On the way down, we stopped so I could do a little "rock climbing" because how can you not want to climb higher in Colorado?

As we made our way into Georgetown we checked into our little French home for the next 3 days, The Hotel Chateau Chamonix, located right on Clear Creek. We dropped off our bags, drove through downtown and headed up Guanella Pass.  The views from the drive were breathtaking and if you want to see Georgetown from a different perspective, this is a must.  As the sun was starting to set we made our way back to our room and enjoyed a little relaxation in the hot tub before heading to dinner at Alpine; a restaurant known for their pizza and mac-n-cheese.  I highly recommend it!

By the way, did I mention I spotted a Big Horn Sheep high upon the cliff's along I70? With eyes like a hawk, I am always on the lookout!  That day was not only my 38th Birthday, but definitely one for the books.

Until Tomorrow Colorado!
Shona

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Loveland Ski Area --> Georgetown By Way of Running

I do it for the view, seriously! This run, although called the Slacker Half Marathon, isn't as easy as it may sound.  It is mostly flat with some downhill running, but there are definite inclines too!  The race starts at Loveland Ski Area, an altitude of 10,800 feet and ends at Georgtown, an altitude of 8,530 feet.  Thirteen.1 miles of the most beautiful scenery....and even though you are running along the highway in the last 3-4 miles, it's not a bad site to see!  Besides, at that point, you know you are almost done!

This year I did not hit my personal best, but I finished the race and was still walking so there's that. The air is thin but that isn't what gets me.  I feel better running in that altitude than I do here in Kansas.  Besides that, the temperature was in the upper 50's at the starting line, so it was perfect weather.  I started having trouble with my knee last year before running but decided to still go for it and last year I hit my PR and was extremely happy considering I was having some pain while running.  The doctor said I should probably have an MRI, a likely small tear that could easily be fixed, but I chose to put that off....

This year, at Mile 4, both knees were shooting pain up and down each leg.  I knew then it wasn't going to be my best race or time.  I stopped when I needed too, but kept going and crossed the finished line regardless.  At Mile 9, besides them handing out gummy bears which I savored as long as I could, I knew I had 4 miles to go but it was going to be tough. And at Mile 12, I really thought I was going to have to walk the rest of the way.  Lesson learned, guess who's getting her knee's checked out? This girl...otherwise I know my running career is over.  And I'm not done running so I guess I better make that appointment.

Anyway, did I mention I do it for the views? Besides, all of the food they hand out afterward. I also have a tradition to stop by the cutest little bakery, The Cake Bakery, to reload with some carbs and their refreshing Mountain-Berry lemonade. I always get a chocolate croissant, but this year, the blackberry scone was calling my name! It didn't last long!

We finished that day with a trip to Manitou, a quick game of horse racing where somehow I managed to place 1st...Horse #4, thanks for playing! I handed off my winning tickets as we left to head to the The Loop for their famous Margaritas.  It was a good day...other than at this point, I could barely walk!  Thank you to my Colorado Bestie and baby Cohen for driving me to and from the race and supporting me the whole way through!  

11 Months to June 2018!! I think I better plan on making it 4 years and Running!
Shona