As part of my Looking Back blog series, today I’m sharing my last-minute vacation visiting Colorado Wine Country in Grand Junction and Palisade, Colorado. My husband and I took an extended weekend trip this week four years ago – and while some may question the timing given how hot it tends to be at this time of year, we found it to be a great time to enjoy the wine (and other beverages) this area of Colorado has to offer.
Today’s outing included hiking at the Picture Rock Trail at Heil Valley Ranch in Lyons, CO. At the outset, the trail looks sparse as it winds through a field at the base of the mountain. Don’t let those initial 10 minutes or so in the grass fool you – once you make it up to the mountain lion warning sign, the trail opens up into views much like the photo above.
For day 86 of my yearly hike count, I went hiking at Rabbit Mountain in Lyons, CO. If you’re looking for a hiking location that’s pooch friendly, this is your best option in the immediate area. But, keep your eyes open – Rabbit Mountain is also known as “Rattlesnake Mountain” and for good reason. My hike was cut short today after word trickled down the trail that an aggressive rattler was poised to strike unwary hikers higher up the mountain.
Today’s excursion: hiking the Wapiti Trail at Heil Valley Ranch in Boulder, CO. I don’t get out to this part of Heil Valley Ranch as often as some of our other local hikes, but there are some nice views of the mountains early on into the trail, as seen in the photo above. If you’re short on time, the first look-out is easy to reach with a rewarding vantage point.
Two years ago in July I decided to take a short trip, visiting the Taos, NM area to coincide with one of my routine “social media detox” periods. My trip included some of my favorite offline things: historical sightseeing, hiking, and sampling the local beer and wine offerings.
(Over the past few years, my love for both hiking and travelling has increased almost exponentially, and I’ve been fortunate to have had so many opportunities to travel recently. With the current health crisis, our travel plans for 2020 were scuttled; as I write this, I should’ve been packing for a trip to Honolulu later this week. So I decided I’d take some time over the next few months to write a “Looking Back” series, where I dive into a recap of some of my favorite trips over the last few years.)
I don’t always succeed, but I attempt to make it out to hike about five times a week when the weather and my career allows. Living in the foothills of Colorado really lends itself to outdoor activities. One of my favorite local trails is today’s highlight: the Antelope trail (and on to the Bitterbrush trail) at Hall Ranch in Lyons, Colorado.
Living in Colorado, it’s hard not to love craft beer. A few years ago I jumped on the keto bandwagon in order to lose some weight, and unfortunately at that time, it meant beer other than Mic Ultra was pretty much out of the question. Today, however, more and more craft breweries are wading into the low-carb beer territory, so I’ve spent the last few months searching out the best tasting keto-friendly craft beers. In no particular order, here are the top five brews you should be drinking in 2020.
I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for a little over nine years now, but depending on which social media site you find me, or which email address I use, you’ll notice that I use my maiden and married name interchangeably. I grew up watching the professional women around me keep their maiden names for professional use, and use their married names in day-to-day life. I ultimately did the same, which is why you’ll frequently see “Wilder” on my social media profiles, but “Hofford” on my website, resume, and work email signatures.