Life From A Mile High

HUMPPPP DAAAAAY! Hi readers! Lex is utterly exhausted today but I can’t wait any longer to tell you all about the most amazing adventure of my life thus far.

One week ago I was drinking and eating in Morrison, Colorado.

The first 24 hours in Colorado felt so surreal. I couldn’t stop saying “Babe, we’re in Colorado!”.

So how did we end up planning this? Well when I quit my job in the midst of the virus I figured I had free time to use wisely. My mom’s life long best friend who I now consider my aunt just happens to live in a place I’ve been dying to visit and just happened to have an extra bedroom for her favorite niece and her boyfriend!

Since we didn’t have a ton of time we used it as best we could. Colorado literally has so much to do that it was impossible to do everything in the four days we had. People were throwing recommendations at us left and right but we decided to make sure we do three things we knew we wanted to do: hike Rocky Mountain National Park, visit Red Rocks Amphitheater, and spend time with my aunt and cousin.

The first night we crossed off Red Rocks that list. Unfortunately it was impossible to get close because the park is closed down from the virus but being the little rebels we were we hopped the caution signs and walked pretty damn close.

Being alone in the park was so eerie but amazing. We both have watched videos of people like Mumford and Sons performing there and finally being there was like a dream.. much like the whole trip.

We wanted to stay and see the stars because it’s supposed to be a perfect spot but it was a cloudy night so we headed back to the Denver area to rest up for day 2.

Day 2

Day 2 was solely reserved for hiking in the Rockies. We both have a love for hiking and nature which is what originally drew us both to Colorado. It was surreal constantly seeing mountains in the distance.

Driving to dinner? Mountains. Going to get gas? Mountains. Landing in a plane? Mountains.

I probably said “Babe, LOOK!” about the mountains at least 500 times (hehe sorry babe).

Being in the mountains was a totally different ball game. The high altitude made 6 steps feel like a mile and it was tough to get used to but damn… it was worth it.

I use an app called AllTrails to find my paths I wanna take on hikes. I also researched what trail is popular in the Rockies and I came across the Dream Lake trail.

After stopping a million times to admire the views and the wildlife we finally made it to the first lake. Dream Lake. The name speaks for itself but obviously a picture is a must.

After we got to Dream Lake we saw a sign to continue on to Emerald Lake so naturally we had to check it out. .7 miles later we came to the opening.

I could not believe my eyes at every step of this hike. It felt so surreal.

We sat and took a break to eat some snacks and take in some scenery before going back down.

Again- it felt so surreal to be sitting there with my soulmate looking at this view. It was one of those “life can’t get better than this” moments.

On the way to the top we met some pretty cool people who loved taking pictures for us (like the kid from West Virginia who took this one). It was so much more than the views that made it amazing. The views were just the reward.

I know a lot of people don’t have the same love for hiking and the outdoors as I do so it may be hard to understand. To try to understand think of the thing that makes you feel most alive and then imagine getting the best of it and being completely surrounded by it.

The hike down felt like 10 minutes compared to our 3 hours up the mountain. I was so sad to go but loved watching the scenery just as much on the way home.

Last Hours

The last two days were meant for my manmeat to get to know my aunt and cousin. It was amazing to just enjoy their company and hear my aunts hilarious laugh. Living far away from family sucks especially when they’re so amazing. To have the time we did was priceless. We ate so much yummy food and laughed and got to know each other more. On the last day it was depressing to not know when I’d see them again. I kept reminding myself how I’ve finally visited her in HER home instead of her coming to Buffalo. I am so thankful to have open arms to greet me around the country.

To My Adventure Partner

It is rare to find a person that you click so naturally with and also have the same likes and desires. I was lucky enough to find my best friend/ soulmate/ adventure partner wrapped into one person.

From cruising down the highway listening to our favorite bands, to breaking into parks, to seeing MOOSE!!, to seeing the most amazing views of our lives, to falling in love even more- I can’t describe how perfect of a getaway this was.

Knowing that I have a person who makes anywhere feel like home and makes everything exciting is the most comforting feeling.

I hope everyone finds someone to see the world with.

I know this is the first of a lifetime of adventures and I cannot wait!

In July 2021 we already have tickets booked to see our favorite band at Red Rocks so yes, we will be back to Colorado!!!!

We have plans to visit Aspen and Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak, and return to Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s just an endless amount of things to do and see in that state.

Who knows… maybe Buffalo won’t be my forever home.