I have always gotten way too excited over 2 random things for as long as I can remember: Stadiums and Airports.
Even as a little girl, I still remember how excited I was that Mom was taking my sister and I on vacation, or my Dad had scored 2 tickets for us to go to a random soccer game ranging from UConn regular season to the 1999 Women’s World Cup opener at the OLD Giants Stadium. In 1999, I didn’t know that was truly enemy territory. Not until I became a Pats fan who paid attention to the NFL in college would I learn that I STRONGLY DISLIKE the New York Giants. Eli Manning tends to perpetually look like he’s upset all the orange slices at halftime are gone.
So, it all makes sense that despite going to a university with one of the top 3 communications schools in the nation and majoring in 3 things NOT related to broadcasting, in what field do I end up working? Broadcasting. What do I get paid to do? Go to the airport, fly somewhere, work in a stadium.
Alright. Two days have passed since writing that last paragraph. No idea where I was going with that one. I think I was taking the very long route to explain why I was flying high at 35,000 feet, quite excited to be in the front row of a plane en route to Denver. Long-winded story short, I had airline credit and vacation time to use. Colorado is a wonderland of food and craft beer. I should live there. But I don’t. However, one of my high school friends does. Win.
This is how one would pass a few days in the Boulder/Denver area if your’e hungry and like playing outside with some quality scenery.
Left: West Flanders Hoffmeister Pilsner | Right: Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates. Amazeballs.
You know what’s great about jet lag when flying west? You wake up early without trying. Out the door by 9am to hike the morning away. Giddy up.
Top Left: Our snowman named Fred. | Bottom Left: My trusty $10 backpack and grownup camera | Right: Pocket Sherman checking out Boulder.
Climbing approximately 750′ in elevation by noon can sure make a girl hungry. On to the next crafty place, Fate Brewing Company.
Right: Core Beer Flight – including an incredibly helpful coaster in keeping my brews straight.
What I ate: the Pork & Bull. Oh, and fries. I never get plain fries. Blaming #vacationmode for that one. Some sort of delicious seasoning was sprinkled on top. Couldn’t help myself.
In an effort to undo the caloric intake of my trip to Fate, I hopped in the car and made the drive to somewhere that’s on my concert bucket list: Red Rocks Amphitheater. I’ve now been to the venue twice, each to walk around and take pictures. Had i not eaten so much at lunch, I’d have attempted to run up all 69 rows as a workout. Good thing I didn’t. Walking up I had to pause twice. Altitude, man. It’ll getcha. Ended up climbing 1100′ that day. Colorado is the land of infinite inclines and stairs.
Come Saturday it was time to get fancy huh and head out in downtown Denver for the night. Seeing that I kind of told the ‘story’ 2 days ago with my Celeriac au Gratin (which btw you MUST TRY), here’s the restaurant photo and my attempt at recreation 4 days later at home. #nailedit
One more thing. Lavapix.com’s YouTube Channel. This is what happens when you put random things near hot lava and watch them explode. I particularly like the can of Chef Boyardee. Exploding it in hot lava is a way better idea than eating that stuff.
Gone Paleo (With the Occasional Faileo) 