Next Up: Colorado

It's been a hot minute...but I have so many new and exciting adventures coming soon! In fact, I leave for Colorado in exactly 76 hours, not that I am counting :) Six days of exploring; both new and old places and I am taking on a few new endeavors while I am there.  

First up; I will be taking over The Richest, a media and news page on Facebook....and get this....streaming a live video while sharing to over 2 million followers.  What???  I can't quite disclose the exact locale just yet, but stay tuned. I'll be posting where and when next week!  This will be my first "official" live takeover and although I am a bit nervous, I am looking forward to it!  

Second, another takeover! This one will be on Instagram for one of my favorite pages, Wander Beyond Her.  This page is solely dedicated to all of us gals who get out there and explore the world!  I was super stoked with they asked me to take over for a day sharing my next adventure to Colorado! Again, I can't disclose the location just yet, but here's a hint...I am starting at the top and "running" my way down...a 2,500 foot elevation change, where there's a brewery with my name on it waiting for me at the end!  

I will be posting a lot of new content soon so be sure to follow along as I make my way through what I believe is one of the most beautiful states in America.  

See you in Colorado 🌲🌄

Shona 

Travel IG: Follow ↠ http://www.instagram.com/dirtroadshighheels

Personal IG: Follow ↠ http://www.instagram.com/shonamhouston

Another Roadtrip, Another Night in Eureka Springs

"How would you feel about driving down and spending a night in Eureka Springs on Thursday?"..."Perfect, I was just thinking about that and I'd thought you'd never ask!"...that was all it took for me to be on board with leaving a day early to spend a few hours in this quaint mountain town before heading on to our next destination.

We arrived at the Basin Park Hotel around 12:30 am, just in time to check-in, drop off our bags and head out to spend the rest of the evening at Chesea's Cafe, the best little bar in town.  Just a few short blocks from the Basin, we made our way down the uneven streets enjoying the fresh mountain air. It was perfect patio weather too; the beers and tequila shots ran smooth.  We felt it was our duty to help the locals close the bar down.

The next morning meant breakfast.  The BF introduced me to a little place called The Mud Street Cafe.  It has recently just opened for the season, so I highly recommend it if you are traveling to Eureka Springs.  Traditional breakfast for me; eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast.  Did I mention it's bottomless cups of coffee too?  A great little place to dine. And FYI, their pastries had me drooling!

You can't go to Eureka Springs without venturing out and about the town.  Downtown has a ton of shops, coffee houses, and local places to grab a bite to eat.  Walk the neighborhoods around there too, with the cool architecture, art, and other points of interest, you will not be disappointed.  Plus, the people are super friendly and dogs are welcome almost everywhere!

Eureka Springs was the perfect start to the long weekend!
It's a must stop if you are in Arkansas 🌲
Shona

Mountain Views 🌄

A few weeks ago I made a quick trip to the Rockies to visit my "Colorado Bestie"...that's what I like to call her.  Two flight changes later, I headed out a day early to spend some extra time in the mountains.  Can I just say, the Denver Airport is so confusing...I have been there numerous times and it always seems to get me lost!  However, this time, I have marked it in my phone...which escalator, down or up, tram, parking. Bonus though, they do have a great area for "pre-flight" beverages that serve many local brews!  Ok, one point for them.  

The bestie picked me up late Saturday afternoon and we headed to the Springs. We had over an hour of catching up in the car before getting back to her home.  The next three days meant lounging around in PJ's, coffee, playing with the little's, relaxing, and of course a visit to the Zoo!  Sunday morning I snuck out early to grab a photo of the sunrise facing the mountains.  The view is amazing.  We grabbed lunch at MOD pizza before making a stop at the local grocery store for Super Bowl snacks and a visit to Hope Spirits, it's the go-to whenever I visit! They have a great selection of Colorado Brews! I opted for the Dry Dock Sour Apricot. Dry Dock brewery is one of my fav's. 

On Monday the temperature was in the 60's, warmer than Kansas, so that meant a trip to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  We all know I tune into the Giraffes, always trying to find a way to take one home with me.  They were as cute as ever and since it wasn't a very busy day at the zoo, we had plenty of time with them!  New experiences for me included seeing the two Bald Eagles that were feeding, they were gorgeous, and so many Magpies flying around.  The Moose had shed his antlers, a Momma Kangaroo was carrying a Joey, and the Meerkats were hilarious as they were running around playing.  The penguin and hippo exhibit is getting renovated which will be awesome...opening Summer 2019!  

We followed with a late lunch at Amanda's Fonda, a local Mexican restaurant that will leave you taking home leftovers, which are good the next morning for breakfast, no judging!  In the warmer months, they have a great patio you can dine on while listening to one of Colorado's crystal clear streams running in the background.  I highly recommend trying it if you are in the area!  My next visit to Colorado will be in June, it's the annual half-marathon that I participate in and I already have some new adventures on the agenda! Stay tuned!  

See You Soon Colorado!

Shona