Hangin' Around the Mountain

Sunny Days

Who wouldn't want to walk around the Village on a day like this? Farmers' Market, Art Show, Jazz Music, Patio Dining, and plenty of other things that Deserve All Caps.  <3 Sunday :)

Rocky Mountain Climbs: Clear Creek Canyon

Yes, this is a post about rock climbing. 

BUT. If you're looking for a post with words in it like flake, jugs, cams, cruxes, sport climb, dynamic moves, or any type of rating scale reference, this is not the place. I'm a total novice on the rock who is fortunate to go out with some excellent climbers and learn. And slice up my hands. And sweat it out on tiny foot holds with forearms so pumped I think they'll have to be amputated if they can ever pry me off the wall. 

Of the seldom glamorous but always exhilarating life experiences I've had in Colorado, this one's up there. I didn't even reach the anchor (the top of the route) but I learned some valuable lessons and didn't give up at the most challenging moment of my ascent. That's a win for me.

SO. On Tuesday, Marc and I went out to Clear Creek Canyon with friends Rudy and Hunter (below) to climb. 

We left early that morning, drove into the mountains, parked on the side of the highway, and hiked up to the routes. The direct sunlight was already brutally hot when we arrived at the site. The view was incredible.

After taking turns on some fun, mild routes - for four hours - the pros wanted to try something a little edgier. While Hunter is a rookie like me, Marc and Rudy have been climbing together for years. They headed over to Officer Friendly (rated 5.11B) to master the overhanging climb. Marc took a fall. He calls this photo "dancing with the rock."

Undeterred, he got up a second time. Rudy had already placed gear on the route that Marc had to 'clean' (remove) and he finally nailed it. Straight to the top. That's my baby. After that he was chillin' pretty hard. I was still having a minor heart attack.

One major perk of having a Monday-Tuesday "weekend" is the uncrowded hiking trails and climbing routes. These spots really fill up on the weekends, and who really wants to wait in line to experience nature?

Nobody?

Exactly. 

Rocky Mountain Hikes: Hanging Lake

In the past few weeks I have rarely stayed in the mountains on my days off. Whether I'm in Atlanta for a wedding, Denver for a conference, or Boulder to search for an apartment and a job something always seems to be drawing me down from my high elevation. I decided that a staycation to explore the areas around Vail was in order. 

Colorado in the summertime is a pick-your-own-adventure outdoor-lovers' paradise. The internet is rife with articles ranking the best hikes, climbs, bike trails, and campsites. Habitually making the list of primo rocky mountain hikes is Hanging Lake: a 2.4 mile roundtrip hike to a gorgeous travertine lake atop a cliff. 

And so, for my most recent Monday-Tuesday "weekend" I found myself headed for the Hanging Lake Trailhead near Glenwood Springs with my sunblock, my sneakers, and my boyfriend. 

The trail gets steep and rocky but levels out frequently. There is plenty of shade and a cool breeze coming from Dead Horse Creek, which runs downhill alongside the path. The trail is relatively short but challenging. In terms of difficulty I'd say it was similar to the Delicate Arch Trail in Moab, but easier because it of the lush scenery, shaded trail, and motivation to get to the top.

I mean, this is difficult... 

But isn't this worth it?

The boardwalk surrounding the lake can be completed in 10 minutes or less. Contact with the water is not allowed to preserve the delicate ecosystem that the lake contains. After scrambling onto some rocks for a better view and posing for some photos, we continued uphill to Spouting Rock.

Spouting Rock is only one minute further along the trail past Hanging Lake, and it's totally worth it to get misted by this icy cold waterfall.

All said and done, we completed the hike in around two hours.

Before doing this I had no idea that Colorado could offer such lush scenery. Passing through the arid red sandstone desert that is often associated with this state on the way to the trail, it was really surprising to find this gorgeous turquoise blue lake resting so high in the cliffs of Glenwood Canyon.

I'd highly recommend it if you're staying in Vail and have half a day to make the hour(ish) drive to Glenwood.

Happy Daddy Day

My high school graduation. This picture cracks me up!

This week is Father's Day AND my father's birthday.

So let's celebrate dad!

If I wanted to give you a quick picture of my father, I'd say: My dad is an attorney who works hard and plays hard. He's very charismatic and bumptious. He's intelligent and loves sports - the Philadelphia teams. And he's raising seven kids. I say seven because even though I'm the oldest, he's still teaching and guiding me! Here's a quote or two he might find funny, should he decide to check in with Dylan Crossley:

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."

Or the short and sweet: "A father carries pictures where his money used to be."

Feast! Vail

{Maple Fig Glazed Lamb Bites with Goat Cheese and Walnut Dust}

Panzano, Denver

{Nobu Lobster Taco}

Matsuhisa

{Spicy Tuna Tartare}

bol

{S'mores Cupcake}

Mountain Cupcakes

Queen Bey

While we're on the subject of mountain scenery, can we talk about this Beyoncé for H&M minidress? Specifically, the fact that it only costs $14.95? Can't wait to wear this one.

I'm not certain you can buy this online... May only be available in stores. I found mine at the King of Prussia Mall in PA last week while visiting my family. Snatched it up in the fraction of a second it took for me to see it, fall in love, and wrestle the last small off the mannequin. Don't mess.