Shane and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary this weekend by packing up and making the 3.5 hour drive to Steamboat Springs.

I’d actually never been to Steamboat before, but it’s been on my “Coloradocation list” ever since moving here. Since this weekend was also the big weekend to see all of the aspens changing colors out in the mountains, we’d thought it’d make a great reason to check it off the list.

So, here’s how we did Steamboat Springs in Fall in 48 hours, anniversary-style.

Pick up and head out around 2:30 on Friday afternoon in order to avoid the rush hour traffic out to i70. Hit traffic anyway, and count the lucky stars when our directions took us off of i70 and onto route 9. Not only because the traffic completely disappeared, but because those VIEWS though!

They were so gorgeous that Shane pulled over on the road and we snapped some pictures. It was his idea, so he just walked right into my idea of a roadside family selfie (felfie?)

We got to Steamboat just in time to for sunset, so we dropped off Niko and our bags and then headed out to our dinner reservations at Mambo Italiano’s, where we met up with Lauren and Greg. I’d been straight up craving some good Italian food, and boy did we feast! No pictures, but there was copious amounts of bread, olive oil, wine, pasta, calamari, and cheese consumed, and I went to bed a very happy Paige. If you go to Steamboat, I’d definitely recommend hitting up Mambo’s.

Wake up, and feel surprised to be hungry, despite eating 10 lbs of Italian food the previous night. Since we also needed coffee, Shane and I hit up Freshies for breakfast, which was recommend to me by a client of mine.

I ordered regular ol’ eggs benedict with some delicious potatoes, and a side of endless coffee. We ate this leisurely, thinking that somehow this was considered ‘light,’ since we had a pretty tough hike on deck for the next activity.

After researching some local trails, Shane and Greg decided on one at the actual ski resort, promising incredible views and abundant aspens. So we all met up at Thunderhead Trail (including Niko!) and began our hike up, up, up.

The hike one way was 3.5 miles and 2,100 vertical feet. Nothing too challenging, but it felt good to get the blood pumping. Niko’s a 6 pound dog, but she holds her own when it comes to hiking! However, it was quite hot, so she intermittently got rides in my pouch.

Just call me Kangaroo Paige.

And actually, breakfast was just the right size, because I felt great during the hike! That could be because I was distracted by these purty thangs.

I can’t even.

Eventually (a little shy of 2 hours, I think) we reached the top, and were greeted with an option to take a free gondola ride back down to the bottom. A ride DOWN the mountain? YES! I love hiking up, but am not a fan of hiking back down, to be honest.

We were all pretty tired after the hike, and Lauren and Greg wanted lunch while Shane and I wanted sleepy time, so we split. After a shower and an hour nap, we were back at ‘em and ready to go! We thought we’d play it by ear and just cruise on down to the downtown area, and where we found the coolest little bar called BARley, with over 30 beers on tap. Sold.

I had a delicious and slightly hoppy amber (or 2) and we split some pretzel bites with a whiskey cheese sauce. We chatted with the owners and were just in full-on vacation mode. We both said we definitely see us coming back here next time we’re in town. Honestly, I could have taken a second nap after this outing, but we foraged on.

The rest of the afternoon was spent being somewhat lazy, just walking around, then hanging out on the patio at our condo. Eventually, it was time for dinner at Ore Steakhouse. I was so tired at this point that I didn’t take any pictures (plus it was a nicer place,) but I had THE best filet mignon. Cooked perfectly and very well seasoned. But man, after dinner I was wiped. They say in Spain, everyone drinks two times a day with a siesta in between, but man, I just wouldn’t be able to hang with the Spanish.

The next morning (yesterday morning,) we got up leisurely and again, found a place to grab a coffee and a bite, this time settling on Winona’s. They offer 12 different versions of Eggs Benedict, which is one of my favorite breakfasts ever, but since I’d just had it the day before, and I’d consumed ALL the food in the past few days, I went with a healthier option – a veggie lovers omelet, fruit, and some sourdough.

It was a perfectly healthy and delicious breakfast, until Shane and I both saw – and ordered- their award winning cinnamon roll.

Although it may have looked like an entire loaf of bread with a gallon of icing dipped on top, it was, in fact, a cinnamon roll. If you’re ever in Steamboat Springs and looking to indulge, do yourself a favor and order one.

After breakfast, we grabbed Niko, took one last leisurely walk along a trail in town, and then headed home. What a wonderful weekend!

A note: if you go to Steamboat Springs, I would also recommend trying out the Hot Springs. This was on our to-do list, and I’ve been dying to go forevvvver, but apparently the terrain to the springs is pretty rough, and we took the car, which isn’t very off-road friendly. Boo. Big sad face, but oh well. Still a super fun trip!

Tell me about your last road trip!!

Does your state have fun destinations to make mini vacations out of?