Colorado, 2024

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I took a gamble on Frontier Airlines again and booked $83 roundtrip flights to Denver. And we had a rockin’ time.

Since we’d just gotten back from a trip abroad, I didn’t want to create an exhaustive itinerary like usual. This trip was an excuse to get away, unwind, and enjoy what’s left of summer days outdoors. So we flew to Colorado, rented a car, and started the weekend with no set plans. And it was perfect.

Our cute little Airbnb in Golden, Colorado. Where long-distance bikers and wild rabbits alike pass through the streets in the morning.

Starting the day in our brat Jeep.

First destination: Red Rock Amphitheater. This was a place I've always wanted to visit.

The amphitheater is built into the existing cliffside, which has natural acoustic properties. Truly a breathtaking music venue.

Since it's open to the public in the mornings, lots of people were here just to exercise. What a great community space that doubles as a outdoor gym.

The natural features surrounding the amphitheater were formed millions of years ago lifted and tilted during a geological upheaval event. (Plate tectonics!) What a treat to get to sit in all this nature.

How a normal person poses for a photo with rocks.

How a girl with undiagnosed ADHD does it.

After Red Rocks, we drove into downtown Golden. This place reminds me of San Luis Obispo: small town vibes and lots of sunshine.

Simon wanted to visit a small museum at the American Mountaineering Center. The educational exhibit tells the history of mountaineering with artifacts like oxygen tanks used to climb Everest, an ice axe that saved people’s lives in what would’ve been a tragic accident, and philosophical quotes that embody the passion we have for climbing. Insightful stuff.

Fun fact: Golden is home to the largest single-site brewery in the world, the Molson Coors Brewery.

We stop at an acai bowl place and a sandwich shop for a quick bite.

Some delightful sightings.

A nod to Dinosaur Ridge located nearby, I assume.

And then it was off to the climbing gym!

High altitude climbing? Let's go.

Finished the day with amazing Detroit-style pizza at Blue Pan Pizza because one of us sent a V4.

The next morning, we made the drive down to Colorado Springs to hike the Garden of the Gods.

I loved this place right away. Here's Simon standing in a giant Trader Joe's snacky cluster.

It's crazy to think about erosion dating back to the Ice Age that created these mystical formations.

This one is called the Siamese Twins.

Even the views into the distance are jawdropping, and the skies were bluer than I'd ever seen them.

Can't keep a girl off the rock.

Climbing/scrambling is allowed within 10 feet off the ground, I swear.

The Colorado sun turning us the color of the rocks. I don't mind!

Continuing our hike.

We spot... real climbers!

A free climber ascends a really fun-looking route.

And he makes it! Spot the lead climber taking a photo from above.

What a beautiful sight.

We found some boulders and couldn't help ourselves, especially when nature is the playground.

Alex Honnold who?

Alas, it was time to go. This place, as majestic as it is, unfortunately has no lunch for us to eat.

After a biscuit chicken sandwich lunch (I don't recommend), we arrive at another exciting destination: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum!

We're all still recovering from Olympics fever, and this attraction was such a cool discovery. I actually had no idea the history of Olympians in Colorado Springs.

This Diller Scofidio + Renfro-designed museum opened in 2020, and features a complete collection of Olympic torches and medals from the modern Olympics.

Interactive exhibits allowed you to try out sports and even race against a projection of an Olympic track athlete of your choice at actual speed.

It houses jerseys, gear, and memorabilia from Team USA athletes.

I'm always one to fangirl over figure skaters.

One of the drums used in the epic Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony. They made 2008 of these, and each one is incredibly detailed and exquisite.

Some uniforms from Paris 2024 made their way here as temporary exhibits. 'MURICA.

Although the museum is new, Colorado Springs has served as the home of the U.S. Olympic Training Center since 1978. We took a tour around the campus, which has been visited by the biggest names in Team USA, including Simone Biles, Lebron James, Katie Ledecky, and countless more. Speed skater superstar Apolo Ohno apparently lived here for 8 years.

The weight room holds almost 20,000 pounds of weights.

The famous gym where Olympics gymnasts have trained. Spot the springs below the floor exercise apparatus. I touched it and it was barely bouncy.

This place looked like an old college campus. Just goes to show that being a professional athlete isn't glamorous. The work and dedication they put into their craft is another level. Athletes choose Colorado Springs to train at their sport in the high altitude.

Geeking out.

We ended the day at another gym. This time a climbing gym that Colorado native and Olympian Brooke Raboutou frequents. Climbing at the same place in which first U.S. woman to medal in Olympic sport climbing trains? Dream come true. 

Also spotted a speed climbing wall for the first time, which I'm sure Sam Watson, the fastest climber in the world, has graced. This is as far as I got up the wall in 4.74 seconds, LOL.

Our last day was spent in actual Denver.

We walked around the Civic Center area and headed to the famous art museum.

Cute public art along the way.

Come to think of it, I've visited a number of State Capitols over the last few years.

They're all kind of the same.

The vibes at Civic Center were off, as expected. But then we headed over to RiNo.

Buzzing food halls, colorful street murals, and a trendy vintage clothing flea market. This was were it's at.

In RiNo there exists yet another climbing gym, so we had to check it out.

This gym was so fun! A huge space with funky holds, peg boards, unusual walls, and a entire space dedicated to traverse climbs (a real treat).

And that was our weekend in Colorado. I don’t consider myself a nature person, but I loved spending time outdoors, as the Rocky Mountains were the perfect setting to unwind from the day-to-day. Between all the climbing, and climbing, and more climbing, I was energized by the healthy lifestyles around me and inspired by the abundance of recreational activities. Between that and the nonstop sunshine, we were already talking about our next visit before this trip was over.

See you again soon, Colorado!

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