It doesn't seem possible but our seventh anniversary has come and gone already! Seems like just yesterday it was June 21, 2008 and I was marrying my best friend and love of my life. Fast forward 7 years and we're living in Colorado with 2 kids and a dog!
Brian and I have been talking about getting away for a weekend for quite some time now. It has never worked on in the past but this spring I said, we're doing this! We asked my mom to fly out the weekend of our anniversary and luckily she obliged! We booked a stay at the Westin Resort in Snowmass (right near Aspen) and we counted the days until it was time!
The kids and I went up Thursday morning to pick Gramma up from the airport. They were SO excited!
Enjoying some muffins in Denver with Gramma.
Really early the next morning we started the journey up to Snowmass. We took different routes each way, this way we wanted to go up towards Glenwood Springs to check out Hanging Lake and it was supposed to take about 4 hours or so. The drive was GORGEOUS. No other way to describe it. This was near Vail.
Driving near Glenwood Springs.
We were unable to hike Hanging Lake. Apparently you have to get there really early and when we got there at 10:00 they were making cars turn away. Super frustrating but we were determined to not let it get us down! So we stopped in Glenwood Springs for some lunch and to check out the natural hot springs pools. We didn't swim but we're definitely going to take a family trip there!
Lunch was delicious. I tried a strawberry ale and it was amazing!
After that we hit the road and an hour later we were in Snowmass!
Our hotel was a part of this cool skiing village that surprisingly had a lot open for it being the "off season".
We literally could have stepped off the ski hill and been in our room.
We weren't able to check in yet so they suggested a fun hike for us. It's just beautiful there. You're completely surrounded by mountains and it's stunning.
Room still wasn't ready so we hit up the Ranger Station which had too good of a happy hour!
We then hopped on a gondola to check out the lower part of the village.
Room was finally ready and even though it was our anniversary we got a room with probably the worst view ever. I should have taken a picture of it. It was bad. Our view was a window of the hallway we had just walked on. And then some gravel. Oh well, not going to get us down!
We took a quick Snowmass selfie before heading on the shuttle bus to nearby Aspen.
There was a huge Food and Wine Classic there with a ton of food network stars (which we had no idea was going on!) so Aspen was really hopping. The festival was crazy expensive to attend as was pretty much everything else in Aspen but it was beautiful!
We ended the evening but sitting by the fire and relaxing.
The next morning we woke up and went to Starbucks and enjoyed the beautiful morning.
We embarked on a beautiful hike that's views did not disappoint!
At the top of the mountain there was a Ying & Yang symbol where many people do Yoga and meditate.
It wasn't a super easy hike but we did it!
After that some pool and relaxation time was much needed!
Cheers to 7 years!
We got cleaned up and then hit Snowmass for some dinner and drinks
We met some really cool people from Denver and got convinced to do a shot-ski.
It was pretty horrible, haha!
The next morning we took a shuttle bus to the Maroon Bells. It's the most photographed area in Colorado and it did not disappoint. It was absolutely beautiful.
Not wearing the best shoes ever but we still hike a little!
We had lunch at the Aspen Highlands and then hit the road for home. This time we took a pass (one of the highest passes in the country) and is only open during the summer.
It takes you above the treeline and offered some spectacular views.
And it was super cold too, haha!
Again, sandals were a bad choice.
Why not sit in some snow in June?
We made it home and the kids were somewhat excited to see us. We're kind of chopped liver when Gramma is around! We were so glad to be home though and all together again!
Monday we headed to Denver to drop Gramma off but did some sightseeing first. First stop, some yummy ice cream!
Next a trolley ride!
And then dinner before saying goodbye. Thank you Gramma, you were the MVP this weekend and the kids had an absolute wonderful weekend with you. Although I was nervous initially about leaving them, once we left I knew they were in good hands. Thank you for allowing us a wonderful weekend together!
I just can't believe it's been 7 years. What a wild ride these 7 years have been. I love you more than anything and feel so blessed to be on this journey with you. Thank you for such a wonderful weekend. You truly are my best friend and I love how much fun we have together. Here's to many, many more!!
