Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Birthday 2015

Hi everyone!

It was my birthday this past weekend. I'm officially 27. It's scary. I never thought I'd live this long. However, I have lived a lot of life up to this point, so I'm still very happy!

This year, I ended up going to Winter Park, CO for tubing and the sulfur hot springs. I had an amazing time, but I do still smell like sulfur after three showers.

My wonderful friend Ms. H spent the night the night before and rode with the next day. We swung by my favorite local cafe, The French Press, to pick up a drink called a Cambric (it's an earl grey latte). I also bought a gluten-free pumpkin cupcake.

This was my cake for the day.
With our drinks and breakfast in hand, we were on our way. The drive was beautiful, as it always is in Colorado. 

Everyone else had the same idea: out of the city and into nature!
I love that the drive to Winter Park is so short from Denver. If you don't want to have to drive hours into the mountains, but still want to get away Winter Park is your best bet!

The view from our condo!
Now, Ms. H has been to Winter Park several time with friends, family, and her church. She knew exactly how to make this weekend fun. We rented a condo with Beaver Village Condominiums. I loved the idea of renting something that had a kitchen. Plus, there were two rooms and each had it's own full sized bathroom. 

After we checked in, got everything settled, and ate a snack (fuel for fun), we were off to go tubing! Ms. J was awesome enough to bring her daughter, Z. 

She's probably one of the coolest kids I know.
The park was only 15-20 minutes to the tubing place. The great part is that it's only $18 for an hour of tubing. One hour was enough. Going a little later in the day was nice because we weren't in direct sunlight, which when you're pale is important. For those of you not used to snow. It works like a magnifying glass. SUNSCREEN IS NOT JUST FOR WARM WEATHER! I'm grateful my cheeks only got a little pink.

Z had already disappeared up the lift and the sun
hadn't quite set yet, poor Ms. H was blinded by the sun .
Now, I'm from Kansas City. Tubing to me means the lake in the middle of the summer, so I've never been snow tubing. I must say it's incredibly fun. I've also never taken lift. It's like a conveyor belt of fun, except my feet kept falling asleep. I'm obviously out of shape. I did last the whole hour though!

Only pair of aviators that I look good in.

It doesn't look big, but it goes much faster than you'd think!
I did try going down face first, but I think I'm just lazy and like riding the tube on my booty. That also means I was able to get videos! The first one I too was just Ms. H and I.


Post slide selfie. She's just so photogenic. I'm jealous! 
Then it was time for the final slide, so all four of us attached our tubes and went down the hill together.



Then it was time to go home and eat! We decided on Korean BBQ, it's fast, easy, AND healthy. You really can't argue with that. We made pork belly with garlic and had kimchi and dumplings.

So much food! Luckily Ms. H took some of it home. I would have, but I'm moving.
The plan was to go to the hot springs after dinner, but instead we ended up falling asleep. I guess I really am starting to feel my age. Haha. Anyways, so after checkout the next morning, we headed to Sulfur Springs. It's about 30 minutes from Winter Park. Again, the drive was beautiful. Thank you, Colorado.

It was an easy drive considering we didn't see a single patch of ice our entire drive
there or back.
I was happy that the smell wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. This is the entrance to the springs. This was also my first time to hot springs! I get kind of paranoid, because I've taken Invertebrate Zoology and I know that there are brain-eating amoebas in EVERY hot spring around the world. I mean, they can only eat your brain if they get up your nose, but still. NO SPLASHING!



The first pool we went to was one of the cooler ones, but it had a waterfall! Of course the sun was in the perfect angle for my picture to not turn out. I still got a couple good pictures of the spring itself, though!

It's weird to overheat when you're sitting next to snow and ice.

I love that even though the pools have been plumbed,
they kept a lot of the natural elements of the springs.
Then, it was off to the hottest pool.
Getting out and cooling off is essential!

And there are my viking calves. This is why it's so hard to find boots!
While taking pictures, I realized my jewelry had changed! Turns out the chemicals in the hot springs, mostly the sulfur (according to my research), work like insta-tarnish on silver jewelry.

I actually think it looks pretty cool. PIRATE BRACELET!
Fortunately, I have a silver cleaning cloth at home that polished all of this up in about 5 minutes. I can now see my reflection in my rings!

I will definitely be doing hot springs more often! My skin feels amazing!
Eventually, it was time to leave, though. Ms. J and Z left shortly before we did. Ms. H and I rinsed off in the shower and headed out. We stopped back in winter park to pick up a souvenir. Now, I'm not a big fan of souvenirs that have the name of the place I was. I just like to pick something up from that place, so Ms. H and I ended up buying matching beanies (in different colors). I was hungry by this point, at which the amazing Ms. H recommended we swing by Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs. Mind you, I've been to the one off Wadsworth and I-70, but how could I say no to mountain pizza in the mountains?

I feel like Beau Jo's should be a bucket list type restaurant.
At least once before you die.
While we were waiting for our food, I got a little camera happy.

Matching beanies!
This is what it looks like from the side.
Gluten-free honey cheesy bread!!!
The Hipster with pepperoni. Yum yum!
Afterwards, I dropped Ms. H off at her house and came to home to some very happy puppies. I've never really enjoyed my birthdays, but last year and this year have been amazing. I'm so grateful to have friends that are there for me. I absolutely adore them. I'm going to miss them when I move to Oregon, but I'm off on a new grand adventure and I cant help but be ecstatic. 

Just so you all know, I'm heading to Oklahoma for my family reunion/Thanksgiving. I'm bringing the pups and there will be pictures. Love you all!

Be the love you wish to have in your life,

Victoria
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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Aspen 2015

Hello everyone,

On October 2nd,  Mr. R came to visit. He had never been to Denver and his work was rather hectic. I thought it would be an excellent idea for him to come visit. His flight got in early on Friday morning and we went for brunch at Snooze. I would've taken a picture, but I was super hungry!

After brunch, we headed back to my place and hung out for a while since neither of us had gotten much sleep the night before. Then it was off to dinner with some of my friends.


Sorry it's so blurry, it was REALLY low light.

The plan was to go to a local arcade bar, but there was a band playing and nobody wants to pay $25 to see a band they don't know in a seedy bar. Not going to happen. SO....we ended up at a hookah bar instead and then plotted the next day.

As we were plotting Mr. R mentioned that Denver wasn't quite what he was thinking. People assume all of Colorado is mountains and trees. When, in fact, there are mountains, plains, and deserts. How could I show him the Colorado he was thinking? Aspen. I was worried it was a little late, and in some areas it was, but seeing the aspen trees change is definitely something you should put on your bucket list if you haven't already.

The decision was made. We went to brunch at one of my favorite cafes, The French Press in the Belmar Shopping Center in Lakewood. After that we headed to Aspen!



On the drive, we stopped for a couple photo opportunities as well as taking the obligatory selfie. :)



The weather was perfect. It has been unusually warm in Colorado, meaning that we weren't dealing with snow.  This is nice for the drive, but global warming is definitely making its effects known.  






Knowing that there wouldn't be much snow, we took the drive that runs through Independence Pass. This typically closes after snow starts in the mountains. After taking pictures in front of the sign, we take the short walk up to the overlook. This is why I love the mountains. They make you feel like you're on top of the world while showing you how small you really are. We are both invisible and infinite.



After a quick stop in Aspen itself for food, because, well, food, we headed up to Maroon Bells. We ended up waiting in line for an hour. I have no idea why there were so many people wanting to go at sun set, but there were...so we waited.



Once we paid our $10 fee, we headed in. Part of the reason I love Colorado, it that almost all of the drives are gorgeous.



Once we made it there, we had to work our way through the crowds. I was very grateful that everyone was being kind and taking turns so that people could get pictures.  I loved that the water was so clear.



I was surprised that I didn't see more people taking pictures of the view the other way. Yes, the glacier lake is beautiful, but the mountains behind us were just as beautiful.



I would like to state that I'm thrilled that I've finally managed to get a reflection shot. I've never been able to manage. This year is a year of firsts!



MOOSE! This is the second time I've seen a moose this year, actually, ever. Mr. R had to take this picture on my phone, though. I was too short and all I kept getting were its antlers. I know moose are highly aggressive and there was even a park guide walking by telling people to stay back for that particular reason, so we decided to leave. I know Kilo thinks he's big, and I like my pups alive. 

I find it odd that certain animals I've always liked have started showing up in my life. On the way back from Burning Man, I saw both a wolf and a moose for the first times in my life. I feel like there's been a shift in my life, and I'm doing my best to pay attention to the signs of the universe. I've learned that fighting the universe is unwise. Instead, it is more wise to listen, follow, and use what is given to me to my advantage. My life has become much more peaceful and loving since making this discovery.



 On our way back to the car, I couldn't help but snap an up close picture. It was just too perfect to pass up. ^.^



On the way out we stopped by a place that Mr. R had seen on the way in. It was an excellent photo opportunity since the sun was setting and illuminating the clouds and mountains.



I completely understand why the call it "Colorful Colorado," now. One has to make it into the mountains to see the wonders it has to offer.



As we drove into the sunset, I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness. The right travel companion can make all the difference. I've been to Aspen twice before, and neither of those trips were horrible, but neither were this amazing either. I learned a lot about Mr. R, and I am grateful that he's going to stay in my life. He is an excellent friend and I shall eventually get out to San Francisco to finish our Brunch Wars between Denver and San Francisco. But don't worry, there's always Portland. :)

Be the love you wish to have in your life,

Victoria
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