Quick Denver trip

Last weekend, sunshine—mixed with a little adventure—called and we answered. Chad and I flew to Denver for an incredible but fast weekend, filled with friends, family, and that fresh Colorado air.

Though our visit was brief, we managed to squeeze in quite a lot of the good stuff. Our cups runneth, as they say.

Thursday

We kicked off our quick trip with the usual preparation: a quick HOTWORX session for me, a drop-off to daycare for Wally, and a full day of work for Chad.

I picked up Chad once he got off, and we headed straight for the airport to catch a 6:30 flight. Our layover in Minnesota left us with just enough time to grab Cinco de Mayo margaritas at the airport Chili’s (lol) and it was smooth sailing into Denver.

We arrived at DIA 10:35 p.m., which led to a late night of shuttles, rental car pick-up, and a nice drive to Arvada. Our friends Phil and Megan were our wonderful hosts—there home is gorgeous and it doesn’t get cuter than their pets Bodie and Oliver. Plus…sleeping in a real bed was a true treat. (The apartment air mattress is getting OLD.)

Friday

The next morning, Chad and I got up as early as we could muster and headed to breakfast at Sunset Sunrise, in Lakewood. We met Chad’s grandpa Hugh, and shared a great meal together.

Next came a Target stop to grab the essentials: sunscreen, an energy drink, and some drugstore makeup.

Then Chad and I found our way to Early Dog Coffee, where we sipped on some delicious lattes and sat outside for a while. It was our first taste of spring and true sunshine all season, which made it even more of a delightful experience. We also made time for a sunny stop at 6 and 40 Brewery, where we were extra thankful for that sunscreen. I loved my fruity sour beer, and we couldn’t get enough of the patio.

I made my way to my old stomping grounds in Lakewood, just a block away from my old apartment, for a hair appointment at super cute and trendy Elle.B Savvy salon. It was a nice treat to get a blowout by an excellent stylist!

From there, we got to see my parents!!! And the pups, Shylo and Monet!! Woo!!! We had a great time visiting their airstream for a little while, before checking into the Golden Hotel. Luckily for us, we were able to quickly get ready and hop on a shuttle from our lovely accommodations.

We we arrived in scenic Idaho Springs, all dolled up, for a lovely wedding starring our college friend (and Chad’s roommate for a year) Mitchell and his bride Rachel. It was incredible experience from start to finish, with a pre-ceremony cocktail hour, a tear-jerking ceremony (Hellogoodbye’s “Here” played as Rachel walked down the aisle, and I could barely contain my feels), and the perfect reception. We loved the comfort food bites (jumbo! Mac and cheese! Sliders!), fire pit, open bar, the dance floor, and catching up with several old buds. It was so much fun, from start to finish, and we felt truly honored to be there. Congrats to the beautiful newlyweds!

Afterwards, Chad and I promptly passed out on yet another real bed.

Saturday

The next day was somehow even more action-packed. Chad and I grabbed some coffees at the Generous Coffee Shop, located within the Tributary Food Hall and Market, before heading back to my parent’s airstream for another visit.

For lunch, we met up with Tyler, Natalie, and Nora downtown at the Blue Agave Grill. We made it in the nick of time for our reservation (almost getting bested by a confusing parking garage) and enjoyed yummy Mexican food. My fish tacos paired delightfully with a margarita flight.

After, we were able to meet up with our dear friend Emily in Golden at our longtime favorite spot Barrels and Bottles. It was fabulous to catch up, sipping on wine slushies and enjoying the outdoor patio space.

Dinner reservations took us back to downtown, at the upscale Osteria Marco in a lit up Larimer Square. I indulged in carbonara pasta, aperol spritz, and a limoncello cake. Though we once again met our match with another confusing and lengthy parking garage experience, the night was a success. We enjoyed every moment of family time, especially in honor of Mother’s Day.

Sunday

The next morning came way too quickly, as our 2:30 a.m. alarms started blaring. Ugh. Our 6 a.m. sharp flight involved a cross-town trek, rental car drop-off, a shuttle ride, and lengthy lines getting through DIA’s security. Then, even our wait at Caribou Coffee was a headache.

Thankfully, we arrived back in Milwaukee by 10 a.m. and were able to grab breakfast and pick up Wally within the hour. We were exhausted (proven by a several hour midday nap), but felt as though every single moment was worth it.

Could use some more

This was a good trip. Very good. Though it was quick and busy and sometimes stressful, Chad and I so enjoyed every moment. Seeing my parents was a highlight, along with every moment filled with our loved ones, laughter, and clear blue sky.

It was a nice visit back to our home state—we hope soon to have guests of our own. Sunshine, too, would be nice in the meantime. 🙂