Hiking 2010 :: Red Rocks Trail

We went on our first hike of the year on Saturday. The weather was beautiful and this being our third Spring in Colorado, we've learned to take full advantage of sunny days in March.

We decided to go on the Red Rocks Trail since we were familiar with the terrain. We loaded up our sweet hiking backpack, filled the CamelBak with water, and we were off. To be honest, I was a little concerned about carrying Z-cakes around in the hiking backpack. After all, she had spent all Winter getting bigger and N8tr0n and I had spent all Winter...not exercising. But there was no need to worry. Mostly because N8tr0n carried her through two-thirds of the hike, but also because, as I mentioned before, our backpack is sweet.

The Red Rocks trail is one of my favorite hikes and I recommend it to a lot of people. The surrounding rock formations are beautiful any time of year, and the view of Jefferson County at the top of the loop is worth the climb. Then again, I'm a sucker for a hike with a good view. I also like that this hike gives you the option of making a loop (if you link up with the Morrison Slide trail) or climbing to the top and going back the way you came. I'm a fan of hikes that loop, in case you were wondering.

The only downsides for this hike is that it can be crowded at times. It is a great hike for families and mountain bikers and as a result, the trail usually has plenty of both. The amount of people has never bothered me but if you're the kind of person who doesn't want to run in to anyone else on your hike, I would look elsewhere. There is also very little shade on the hike so I would recommend having plenty of sun protection.

At the end of our hike, we declared success. We were so happy to venture out into the sunshine and start getting back into hiking shape again. Be sure to check out this hike if you ever get the chance, and be sure to let me know when you do!

Reasons I love Denver 002

When we first moved to Denver I coveted all of the people I saw who had a Royal Crest milk box on their doorstep. I mean, come on, "The Aristocrat of Milks!" I'm almost positive that I have never had anything aristocrat-ish in my life. Not to mention the fact that I could barely handle the quaint-ness of home delivery milk! I knew I had to have some of that milk. Maybe someday when we were rich? Yes, yes, I would put it right on my list of Things To Do When I'm Rich (number one being: only buy pure maple syrup, if you are curious).

And then one day, a wonderful thing happened. A door-to-door Royal Crest salesman caught N8tr0n outside and offered him a free half gallon of milk just for signing up for home delivery! Can you believe the bargain? Of course we could cancel at anytime, he said...and I knew that the aristocrat of milks was mine. My head began making plans to purchase a house in the mountains. We had arrived.

We enjoyed our superior tasting milk for quite some time. Our little one thrived on the Royal Rich Whole Milk (a little more creamy than their regular whole milk my friends). And then, you know, that whole underemployment thing happened. Sadly, there are many weeks when we just can't afford to pay the premium price for our aristocratic milk. Despite that, I still keep the box on our doorstep. I keep it there for one very important reason: the eggnog.

Eggnog lovers, meet your rum-flavored dream. Coloradans have been enjoying this creamy holiday concoction since the 1940s and I intend to enjoy it as long as we live here. It's only available for a limited time each year, which makes it extra special when it shows up on our order forms in November.

Now, I know many of you do not like eggnog and are mostly likely vehement in your disdain. So I won't try to tell you that even if you don't like eggnog, you will like this. Because you probably won't. But if you DO like a little cup of holiday nog...you will want to kiss this stuff right on the mouth.


Happy Monday everyone. I hope you're warm and cozy because it is dang cold here.

Reasons I Love Denver 001

My backyard, October 29, 2009

Park by our house, November 3, 2009

I honestly love Denver's weather. Snow boots one day, flip flops the next. It keeps things interesting. N8tr0n would tell you that it is too dry, and for the overcast/drizzle lover, it certainly is. Be sure to pack plenty of your favorite moisturizer if you're coming for a visit. But since I am a desert girl straight through to my core, I adore the dry wind wicking the moisture off of my lips and the hot sun on my neck in early November. Coloradans never stop boasting about the "300 days of sunshine a year," and if you ask me, they never should.