Saturday, Sarah, Karen and I set off for a day in Manitou Springs. First, of course, we went to Adams Mountain Cafe, one of our very favorite restaurants from CC days.
We walked around town a bit, looking at the shops. Karen found some vintage cowboy boots for $20 and Sarah found some wooden crates she'd been looking for.
These stairs went up to what looked like a residential area, but since we still had The Incline ahead of us, we didn't want to waste our energy finding out. (I just tried to find out where they go, or at least how old they are online and couldn't find anything.)
Karen and Sarah were brave enough to taste the natural springs soda water. I decided to take their picture instead since I could see the mineral deposits at the base of the fountain. They said it tasted chalky. Mm.
The source of these famous waters lays deep underground in a system of cavernous aquifers. As the ancient water erodes the surrounding limestone, carbonic acid is created which gives Manitou’s springs their special effervescence. This natural carbonation forces the water back to surface through cracks in the rocks, where it absorbs high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate (soda) and other healthy minerals.
Here is The Incline as seen from downtown Manitou. You can see it from I-25, as well. I always wondered what that scar running up the mountain was and now I know.
What is the Incline?
In a nutshell it’s the roadbed to the former Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway, a cable car train that, before shutting down in 1990, took people to about 8,600 feet. The steepest section is at a grade of 68%.
It was sort of a hassle to get to the Incline. It's on Ruxton St, the same avenue to get to the currently operating cog railway (to the top of Pikes Peak). As such, it was really crowded and parking was along the narrow street. The had people directing traffic and when I said we just wanted to walk around (according to all sources, hiking the Incline is illegal), he said there was no parking and we'd have to turn around at the trailhead. So, we parked at the trailhead. (For the Barr Trail.)
I can tell you, the Incline looks just as intimidating up close. You're heading straight up a mountain! There were all sorts of people on the trail. We each observed one guy who RAN UP THE INCLINE TWICE. No foolin'. (He ran DOWN IT, too.) I saw a woman who was so afraid of heights, she couldn't turn around. And it seemed like everyone under 13 was handling it no problem.
We picked the hottest part of the day to start our hike. I wouldn't recommend it. It was definitely easier than I thought which isn't saying much considering the amount of sweat I produced and the fact I had to stop every 10 steps or so to keep my heart from exploding. But it's surprisingly doable, esp. for someone not that into the idea from the beginning.
The problem, however, was turning around. When I saw how high I had climbed, I got really scared and refused to go farther. What I didn't know was that if I had hiked a bit more, there is a trail that takes you off the Incline and into what Karen described as a less scary, yet still steep, hiking path.
Instead, I scooted down on my butt for quite a while (working those triceps!), then I stood and took each step at an excruciatingly slow pace. I had to step 3 times on each step to feel safe--it was like doing a cha-cha: step down, step-step-step, repeat.
I made it back to the car first. Karen arrived about 30 minutes later. She had gotten to the false summit and gotten scared, too. A couple of women nearby convinced her to keep going to the trail which, because it wasn't a direct path down, took way longer to get back.
Sarah came down the Incline about 30 minutes after Karen. She made it all the way to the top AND back down. What a superstar!
She was quite knackered.
I do want to try it again. I figure I'll do some serious stair training (at Red Rocks, for example), then go back sometime this fall and hopefully make it to the top and take the trail down.
P.S. We also HAD to stop for a well-earned lunch at La Casita before we left town. So, so good.
So, this summer, the Denver Zoo is hosting Date Nights. Since B, his brother and sister-in-law are all members of the Zoo, we decided it would be fun to go to one together. We selected "Guess Whoooo's Coming to Dinner?"
We picked it mostly because the date worked for everyone. But, as Barb pointed out to me, the theme for the evening was a murder mystery! She and I were pretty excited about that, but we knew the guys would not be so into it, so we failed to mention it.
One of the biggest perks of the evening was getting to walk around the Zoo before dinner--after the Zoo had closed. And, since it was one of the hottest days (98, I think), as the sun was going down, the animals started coming out or waking up from their hot-day slumber.
Here, B, Barb and M are making a change with spare change to help preserve rainforests. You're welcome, endangered species!
We met up with a docent in the Giraffe House who told us tall animals like giraffes tend to run into things in the dark, so they keep them inside at night. It was pretty hot and musky in there. There was a new baby giraffe and its mom kept doing this weird moonwalk-like thing where she'd go to one side of the cage, then very smoothly walk backwards to the other side. It would have been amusing except she looked like a crazy caged animal in a too-small space.
So then it was time for dinner.
First, they served us apps like lobster mac n cheese and a turkey puff pastry and a tomato bisque with a grilled cheese wedge. Delish!! As soon as the server came to get us our drinks, he laid down a "bill" which contained our first clue. Barb and I were totally into and had to finally tell the guys. I wish I had gotten a picture of their faces--they looked like they were going to get up and leave. But, they stayed. The "bill" was a note from the cook saying there had been an accident in the kitchen and there wouldn't be dessert, but he was working on a plan... Then it told us to look in our napkins. Out fell a decoder-looking thing. Barb and I tried to put it on the note from the cook, but it didn't highlight anything we could see.
M and Barb trying to figure out the clues. (well, actually, this is them looking at the receipt for our tickets to see if it said anything about gratuity.)
So then we picked out our entrees. Barb and I kept our eyes and ears peeled and soon, 3 more decoders were found (one in the bread basket, one taped to the bottom of the table and one served with a plate). We finally figured out how to stack them together and it told us where to find dessert (at Tropical Discovery). It was fun and the guys were okay with it because it didn't involve play-acting.
After dinner, we walked over to Tropical Discovery for dessert, which was only so-so. It being dusk then, we heard the wolves howling, so walked over to their enclosure. None of us had seen much of the wolves on prior visits because the enclosure is so large, they can kind of stay in the back and avoid people (who wouldn't?). They stopped howling as soon as we arrived. But still--it was cool.
Yesterday after work my favorite Denver people assembled for a picnic in the park.
It was ever so much fun!
We chose a quiet corner of Wash Park. We ate delicious food and drank good wine. At one point, we watched a light rain come across the pond toward us (it didn't last long). There were dragonflies and, at dusk, bats. (They sort of killed the party because when I pointed them out, suddenly everyone had to go. But I love watching bats.)
This is a picture of the grass-covered bridge. I thought it was funny this couple decided to lay on the bridge and gaze, apparently, at the clouds together.
I hope this is the first of many, many picnics this season even though we got such a late start. It's already July!!
So, I just turned 36. Thirty. Six. I'm never going to be someone who doesn't admit to my age, but I will admit 36 sounds old (yeah, yeah to all those older than me who are grumbling--but you know exactly what I'm talking about! And, I don't mean old as in "it's all over!", I mean old as in "*grimace* I need to start acting like more of an adult") Another birthday just offers another opportunity to remind myself of my goals and make sure I'm on track to achieve them. And, it means lots and lots of FUN!
The Celebration started Saturday. While B was at work, I met Jill, Lainey and Scott at the Denver Zoo. I was honored to accompany them on Lainey's first trip to the Zoo. It was hotter'n Hades, so most of the animals were hiding out or not doing anything. But Lainey still noticed a few. Like this zebra:
Who just kind of stood there. For a really long time. But, hey--she got to see him up close.
And when we got to the elephants, they (there are 2) were sharing a cozy little pool, so she got to see them up close, too! And at least they were entertaining.
So after the Zoo, Brian presented me with my birthday present (mostly because he couldn't wait):
*BIRTHDAY PRESENT NOT PICTURED*
It's a lovely picnic basket from Crate and Barrel, filled with delightful items such as:
*a picnic blanket
*bamboo silverware
*bamboo plates
*large plastic tumblers
I am SO excited to use it!! And will be soon!
Then we hit the road. We spent the night at Jill's in Eagle (since they were in Denver for the weekend) which was lovely. We cooked, ate and sat outside until the moon rose over the hills behind Jill's house and it got too cold for the likes of me (old bones and all).
Sunday morning, we got up early and headed to Steamboat Springs. If you've never been there, I highly recommend it. It's got beautiful surroundings, an adorable downtown and plenty of goings-on.
B dropped me off for an hour-and-a-half massage at the Waterside Day Spa, which faces the Yampa River.
That's me, pre-massage, standing with my Starbucks next to the river.
I haven't had that many massages, but I can tell you this one was awesome. I had a sore back and shoulders from work which disappeared after my massage!
And, I would highly recommend scheduling a massage for over an hour. You need the extra time to truly relax!
I chose a lavender and lemongrass aromatherapy treatment. When I met up with B, he kept telling me how good I smelled.
After my massage, I met B on the golf course and spent the next few hours riding around and watching him play. Not only was the course gorgeous, but I really like watching B play--pretty sexy to see your guy in his element!
There was also plenty to look at (apparently 10+ holes of golf doesn't completely hold my interest):
This bird kept doing these crazy dives over the water...
The river was high...
And these mysterious specs turned out to be hang gliders (I took a picture so I could zoom in to see).
After the golf outing, I felt woozy. I think it was a combo of: just having had a massage, not drinking enough water, drinking instead a Mike's Hard Lemonade, and scarfing down a leftover cheddarwurst in the car. Just a guess. But I was determined to eat dinner downtown, so we stopped by the Safeway and I got Advil and Dramamine, a magical combination. I felt better shortly, even if I wasn't all that hungry. We ended up at a steakhouse where you select your meat and then they send you over to the grill to COOK IT YOURSELF. It sort of defeated the purpose of going out. I mean, B cooks me gourmet meals all the time. He wasn't too psyched to pay someone else so he could cook. AND *suddenly enraged at the memory*--we each ordered Cokes and they came out flat. So I told the waitress, who then brought out two more and said something to the effect of "there's nothing I can do about it". And then the couple of times she checked back with us, I saw her glance at our untouched Cokes at the far end of the table but she never asked us about them. That's bad service, people. Had I been leaving the tip, I would have tipped 15% with a note about the Cokes, but SOMEONE doesn't believe in leaving less than 25%. Harumph.
We left after the salad bar and crab cakes. Then we watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory before we fell asleep. God, that's a weird movie to fall asleep to...
View from our hotel room.
Monday we headed to Freshies for breakfast. It was PACKED on Sunday when we drove by and the crowds didn't lie--it was GOOD. I had an omelet stuffed with guacamole and cheese and B had the 2 eggs *yawn* On the way out, I eyed a coconut white chocolate cookie, but decided against it. I am still kicking myself.
The plan for Monday was to hike Fish Creek Falls.
What we understood about the hike was that you can hike 1/4 mile and see the first falls, then continue on the trail for another 2 miles and see the 2nd falls, which are, as described to us, "totally worth seeing".
I should explain that while I love to hike, I have not been working out at all this summer or spring. (See my post on my last trail run.) And B is a smoker. So, while I am out of shape, I sort of relied on him being MORE out of shape.
Here's me at the overlook. Since that's as far as this trail went, we realized we had to go back down the 1/4 mile and take the OTHER path to the base of the falls. *already tired*
After spending quite some time on the historic bridge at the base of the falls, we decided to forge ahead. Keep in mind:
*it was hot.
*it was steep.
*it was rocky.
*everything I just mentioned.
This was my view for most of the hike:
What a trooper B was. Besides rigorous sweating, he was FINE. I mean, he admitted the hike was tough, but he certainly didn't have too much difficulty with it.
I, on the other hand, would breathlessly beg hikers on their way down for information on how much farther the 2nd falls were. They all lied. "20 minutes" turned into what seemed like days (which, in retrospect, couldn't be because B estimated it only took us an hour to get up there). And then we would turn a corner, expecting to see them and it would only be yet another switchback.
On the way, there were some volunteers working on the trail, cutting down trees and such. It made me think of Carrie and the summer she spent doing the same. I can't imagine how tough that must have been, Carrie! But thank you and to all the volunteers who make the trails passable!
So, anyways. We FINALLY got to the 2nd falls which were, in fact, worth it, but only for the sense of accomplishment--we both thought the first falls way more impressive.
It was a great hike and we both expressed out interest in hiking more (yay!), so look for more posts re: hiking!!
We took Hwy 9 through Kremmling to Silverthorne on the way back. The prettiest part was Green Mountain Reservoir--it was HUGE!!
It literally went on for miles! Which made us wonder where the water goes. And if it weren't WELL past the time I usually leave for work, I would look it up. Alas.
We did stop at the Outlets in Silverthorne, but had to cut ourselves off when our first stop cost us $50+ (new pillows and bath sheets!). Once home, B grilled BBQ chicken and corn and I made a rockin' wedge salad.
It was a WONDERFUL birthday weekend! I am so spoiled--not only did I get an entire weekend of fun from B, but I get to continue the celebration tonight with my mom and Thursday with most of the Denver peeps! Fun! Fun! FUN!!!
Tonight, Karen and I are going to Lala's. Lala's is one of my faves. They just got it right:
Location - just south of downtown, around the corner from Gov's Park and down the street from Bones and Benny's.
Happy Hour - wine by the glass is $5 before 7, I think. Wednesdays is Ladies' Night. $2.95 Cosmos, Limontinis, Fragoltinis and $3.95 Glasses of Mad Housewife Cabernet and Chardonnay
Menu - they have good eats, all for less than $10. And their $4 flat bread apps are AWESOME.
I haven't been to Lala's in a while. The last time I was there, I was with Kim, Kelly, Heather and Megan. The waitress asked if we wanted to be in their promo video for Ladies' Night. I had already had a glass of wine, so I answered for the group: HELL, YEAH!
Watch for us:
0:44 - we're sitting at the bar in the back
1:54 - that's me waving my arms like an orangatun!
2:14 - that's us toasting... to us!
2:30 - Megan. Laughing.
3:42 - us again!
It was ever so much fun until this happened:
Yeah, the night did not end well for me.
But that was AGES ago! I'm QUITE looking forward to tonight!
Last year, Sarah, Megan and I ran a few trails. This was after Megan and I had started boot camp, so I felt pretty good about my performance. Last night, however, the fact that I had done some backsliding in my fitness was very, very apparent.
I think we started from the other end. I am GUESSING we went 2.5 miles. I should ask Sarah. She ran all of as far as we got; I had to stop 1/3 of the way in for fear I was going to either have a premature heartattack or sprain my ankle and force some people lighter than me to bear my weight back down.
It was a BEAUTIFUL evening. We got as far as the Enchanted Forest which looked really beautiful, but by then we were done. It would make a lovely hike, except--BE WARNED--there were a TON of mountain bikers.
A TON. They're all very nice. And are all good-looking men. ALL. Sarah kept making fun of me because we would give them the right of way on our way down (and their way UP) and I would, as she says, get all chatty: "Hi!" "Hi." "How's it going" "*breathy* Good.", etc. On OUR way up, though, I couldn't even say hello when I was first running. I'm hoping Sarah will get me out on more trails so I can improve my fitness over what's left of the summer!
