Feature

Growing up in Sacramento, California my perspective on the world was romanticized by my unreal surroundings. The Pacific ocean to the west, Sierra Nevadas to the east, and San Francisco being only an hour away set my “normal” for what the rest of world was.

It wasn’t until I moved out of state to Denver, Colorado that I realized how unique California is not only in its geography, but the culture and energy that go along with it. As I reluctantly started to build my life in Denver, I noticed myself making rash judgement calls on everything I experienced here in relation to California. While this is a natural way of seeing the world, it gave me a cynical perspective on my surroundings.

My first year in Denver was filled with negative thoughts; I hated the fact that it was a full day’s drive to the nearest ocean, and the general consensus that skiing is the best thing to ever exist. It bothered me that people said “Nev-ah-duh” instead of  “Nevada”, and that people wore Birkenstocks instead of Rainbows. I dreaded the fact that you can never really be sure if you’re wearing the right outfit for the weather that day, and that I could possibly slip on my way to class.

I was not willing to accept this new way of life I had jumped into. I missed my home, and my friends, and just wanted everything to be the same as it always had been. Instagram had convinced me that all of my high school friends had only good days, and that I should have just gone to SDSU like everyone else in my class. I only had a couple friends in Denver, and didn’t know my way around the city at all. It was always cold, and I had nothing to do.

Instead of recognizing this as a normal transition into college, I blamed the place. I made it Denver’s fault that my freshman year of college wasn’t the highlight of my life, and in the process of doing this I missed out on a years worth of everything this city, I now call home, has to offer.

My unwavering devotion to California made it difficult to see the beauty of Colorado. I became anti-Denver comparing every single thing I experienced to its Californian counterpart, and created an obstacle course on my path to appreciation. I was convinced that I was going to transfer back to a California school, it was only a matter of time.

Though I did not make it east for myself, I trudged down the path to appreciation. For me this journey  began with coffee. Coffee shops have been my go to spot to meet friends, study, and take a minute for myself as long as I can remember. They created an easy opportunity to engage with Denver in a way I knew I could appreciate. I started seeking out new coffee spots all around Denver.

I became a regular at La Belle Rosette, located on University behind the Newman center.  A hot spicy chai latte and a mini sausage breakfast burrito (with Cholula – of course) beat out any coffee or breakfast burrito I had had in California. More importantly than being delicious, this coffee shop proved to me that there are things that are better here than there are there, and it is okay to accept that.

As my horizons widened and I started to meet more people, I started to take much more advantage of the beautiful state of Colorado. Although my plan remained that I was eventually going to move back to California, I was able to break down the wall of hate towards Colorado, and stop comparing every piece of every experience to my home state.

A few weeks after I had submitted transfer applications to two California schools, I met someone living on the floor above me in Centennial Halls who was also from California and loved it just as much as I did. We started hanging out one day, and didn’t stop until we went home for summer.

As I spent time with my new found friend, I started to realize that it was okay to miss California: my friends and family. But it was also okay to make the best out of my current situation. I realized I wasn’t alone in missing the place I had called home for my entire life, and that people had the same thoughts rushing through their minds as I did. I was persuaded to give my new life a try and let myself enjoy it.

My friend taught me how to skateboard which gave me something constructive to focus and improve upon. Not only that, but it gave me something to be excited about. I had an activity that was healthy, entertaining, and distracting from what at one time seemed to be an endless train of negative thoughts. Skateboarding around campus, and the few parks I went to proved to me that I could find enjoyment in Denver, I just had to try.

This friend and I did everything together, from making peanut butter and honey bagels in the dining hall every morning to skating to Spanish, to going out with our other friends at night. He showed me that no matter where you are, there’s opportunity for friendship and time for appreciation, all it takes is a little bit of effort.

As time went on this friend and I drifted apart a bit, but I will always be appreciative of his ability to open my eyes to the opportunities around me while simultaneously being sympathetic to the difficulty I had letting go of California.

As my normal started to change, and I began to accept my surroundings I started to enjoy my time in Denver. I dove into my friendships here without fear of losing my friendships from home which I had never been able to do before, and sought out adventure instead of shying away from an activity because it was new.

I re-entered my new life with a feeling of optimism and sense of adventure, willing to accept that things were different now, and that was okay. This new headspace allowed me to enjoy Denver, and come to appreciate all of it’s beauty and opportunity.

Meeting friends to study at coffee shops or to skate around campus gave me a way to break into the natural opportunities for fun that Colorado provides. It took some trial and error to find the people I now call my best friends, but through numerous extended coffee and skate dates, I found the people that were going to change my outlook on Colorado for the better and eventually convince me to stay.

Through an unfortunately toxic roommate I met these two amazing people; one of whom is from Boulder, and loves her home state just as much as I love mine.  Through the past couple years she has shown me amazing new spots all around Colorado from the Laughing Goat in Boulder to a backpacking trail on Mt. Evans.

Since becoming friends with these two, I have come to see Colorado from an entirely new perspective. I can understand why people love it here so much. There are endless adventures, coffee shops and sunsets to see, it just takes the right group of people to bring out how special this place truly is.

Now that I have been a Colorado resident for almost four whole years, my mind and energy has shifted to accepting everything that I encounter. Instead of comparing everything back to how it was in California, I can see the value in the uniqueness that Colorado provides.

I’ve started to love driving up to the mountains instead of dreading the day-long drive to the beach. I don’t quite get the skiing thing, but I can appreciate that so many of my friends do. I now see why people have Birkenstocks, and while I will never get rid of my rainbows, I am now a Birk wearer. I now realize I’m the one saying “Colo-raw-do” incorrectly – the natives say “Colo-rad-o”.

I realize that the people are what make any place great, and I was missing my tight knit community from home and wasn’t giving myself a chance to make a new one. Once I did, I appreciated the beauty that is Colorado, and have completely revised my “normal”. I have a community and a home in Colorado that I wouldn’t trade for the world — it just took a few great people to convince me of that.

How To

Hopping in the car to travel somewhere new leads to unlimited opportunities to adventure on your own timeline. It allows one to explore and experience the entire journey, adding so many memories to a trip that would have been skipped over if exchanged for a 3 hour long plane ride. Though there are many perks of a road trip,  for a first timer packing a few weeks worth of your life into a car can be a daunting and disorganized task. If you don’t know where to start, follow this guide to packing more efficiently and staying organized your whole trip.

  1. Get shallow clear storage bins. Instead of a suitcase use these; they’re stackable, see through, and organized. Space can get tight when you have multiple people, and weeks worth of stuff for everyone. These bins save space and are easily stacked on top of each other. I specified clear bins because, who remembers exactly where everything is? Being able to see into the bins not only helps you decide what to stack on top of what, but also keeps you from rummaging through a bin only to realize what you were looking for was somewhere else.
  2. Use a jacket as a pillow in the car. When you spend up to 15 hours in the car in a day you better be prepared to spend some of that time sleeping. Bringing something to rest your head on is imperative and will increase the quality of the time you spend on the road. Instead of bringing a pillow which takes up a lot of space and is bound to get dirty because of its inability to be compacted, bring a jacket. This will save space not only in the front seat, but will decrease the amount of stuff you have to shove into those bins.
  3. Figure out what the weather will be like the majority of your trip, and start there. Don’t try to pack for everything, bring a few universal pieces and a couple layers, but avoid packing things that make you think, “I should bring this just in case…”
  4. Bring snacks, and lots of them! When you are 3 hours from the nearest source of food you will be wishing you had something to munch on to pass the time. Depending on how long your drive is going to be, bring a cooler to store things like lunch meat, cheese, veggies, fruit etc. things you wont’t find but will be wishing you had 3 gas stations in.
  5. Fill your water bottle up everywhere you stop. Most days we take for granted how easily it is to refill, when you’re on the road and eating snacks, you will be bummed if you thought half a bottle could get you through the next stint of the drive. Point is, fill it up even if you don’t think you need to, you’ll be happy you did.
Informative

 

New York City has an overwhelmingly large list of activities, stays and restaurants to choose from. While this often makes for an exciting vacation, it can sometimes be daunting for a non-city dweller. Below is a list of three worth-while things for anyone to do while in the Big Apple, to get your trip itinerary started.

The Ludlow Hotel: The Ludlow is a quirky hotel that will keep anyone entertained, comfy and trying to extend their trip just one more day. The modern yet warm decor is beautiful from the first floor lobby area to the top floor gym which has a panoramic view of the city. The rooms are tiny, as most things in New York City are, but sport the most luxurious beds in the city, and a bathroom outfitted to perfection. Every detail from the key tag to the complementary lotion bottles enhance the time you spend in this hotel.  Attached to the Ludlow is a restaurant called Dirty French, which is perfect for a croissant and a coffee before you hit the town, or a beautifully prepared dinner when you return at night.

Friend of a Farmer:  Friend of a farmer is an approachable farmhouse restaurant that has something on their menu for everyone. They serve brunch to dinner, and hit the mark every time.  The moment you walk in the door you are greeted by a friendly staff who is always happy and willing to help with anything you may need. The restaurant is a tight two story building with a rustic farmhouse feel that makes you warm and excited every time you see something come out of the kitchen. Their simple yet delicious menu, friendly faces, and stellar atmosphere make for an amazing meal for anyone.

Edwin, Abbie and I at the MET

The MET: The MET is one of the most visited places in the big city, and for good reason. Tourists and locals alike will enjoy a magnificent afternoon wandering the long hallways that lead to endless rooms filled with art.  The first thing you notice when approaching the massive building is the incredible staircase leading up to the multi door entrance. This grand entrance sets the pace for the interior of the building and all it houses. As you walk further in you start to realize it would take days to see every piece of art in the museum, and try to squeeze it all in. The MET has ginormous amounts of space and is filled with bold and curious art, a place that will absolutely blow your expectations out of the water. There is something for everyone to enjoy, and can make for an unforgettable afternoon.

Though this is a list of only three places to add to your itinerary they each provide a jumping off point in a new part of town. New York City is chalk full of opportunity for fun, but can sometimes be directed specifically at certain groups of people. These three places are inclusive of everyone’s interests, and get your trip started in the right direction.

 

Personal

Truckee is a small town found if you head east on highway 80 from Sacramento. In recent years it has become much more popular given its close proximity to the Sacramento area, as well as its connection to Lake Tahoe. When I was eleven my parents invested in a place up in Truckee which has since turned into a big part of all of our lives. My dad and I, in particular, love to spend time up there. The two of us go up as often as we possibly can, and have gotten to spend days at a time adventuring and exploring what the greater Lake Tahoe area has to offer. From snowshoeing along the trail that runs through our backyard, to wake surfing around the lake, to fly fishing in the Little Truckee, we have found that there are endless things to do while up in one of our favorite places.

One story that stands out in my memory, though, was the first snowboard lesson either of us had ever had. I was about twelve, and my dad was, you know — old, but despite the age difference we both came to the same realization. Snowboarding was much harder than either of us had anticipated. As we slid and flopped down the mountain (to be honest — the bunny hill), we were both filling with rage, fed by our intensely competitive natures, while simultaneously laughing every time the other one fell.  After about two hours of  physical and mental exhaustion it was my turn to go down the hill with the instructor. At the bottom, after I had tumbled to a stop, he attempted to confirm with me my dad’s name, which is Pete, by asking , “your dad’s name is Steve, right?” With such an incredible opportunity to prank my dad right in front of me, and a slight part of me wanting to throw him off his game, I eagerly responded, “Yep! Yep it’s Steve!”, so for the rest of the day, I smirked every time my dad grew a confused expression when he suddenly started  being referred to as Steve. I couldn’t wait to tell him that I orchestrated it when we got home. After we had both sworn off  snowboarding for at least the next year and we were in the car driving home, I burst out with laughter exclaiming that I had gotten the instructor to call him Steve all day. Luckily my dad thought my twelve year old sense of humor was pretty funny as well, and we’ve been laughing about that day ever since.

I have many similar memories that stem from spending time with my dad up in Truckee and have set a great foundation for not only our relationship as father and daughter, but as good friends as well. We are very similar people when it comes to our interests, outlooks and emotions and Truckee has provided us with a place that allows our similarly oriented personalities to thrive. With equally dry senses of humor, a deep appreciation for nature, and a need to be competitive, the days my dad and I have been able to spend together in Truckee along with the stories that accompany them have built an awesome friendship that I will always be grateful for. I give credit to the place, but also to the people who inhabit it for the close relationship we have come to develop. From the snowboard instructor we met almost a decade ago, to the people who keep Golden Rotisserie, the home of the world’s best burrito, running, the people of Truckee have improved our lives greatly and I will always appreciate them.

Multimedia

This video documents a road trip that took me from Denver to the east coast, from the east coast to California, then from California back to Denver. Along the way, many podcasts were listened to, sunsets (and sunrises) were seen, friends were made and fun was had. I hope you enjoy a look into a drive that made it from shore to shore.

 

Travelogue

The “not-so-thorough” Plan:

One Tuesday afternoon my boyfriend, Edwin, and I had the great idea of taking a camping trip to Moab for the upcoming weekend. Though it was mentioned, not much planning had happened at all; when Thursday rolled around and we realized we were supposed to be driving 6 hours to a national park we had done no research for and was expected to be 100+ degrees for the entirety of our stay, we decided to abort that plan and come up with something more realistic. On to plan B — while searching the internet for dispersed camping near us we came across Buffalo Pass up in Steamboat Springs. The pictures of aspens and thoughts of waking up 10,000 ft high on a mountain sold us. We decided Buffalo Pass was the place for us and started packing. This might come as a surprise given how much time went into planning this trip, but from the drive to the third and final (yes, third) time we staked our tent in the ground, Edwin and I struggled to remember why we decided to go on this trip in the first place. 

The Long and Bumpy Drive:

The first obstacle on our trip begun about twenty minutes after we got in the car. With excitement for our trip and a recent payday in the bank, I had ordered my first pair of hiking boots on REI’s website and planned to pick them up at the store on the way. Unfortunately this rush job of a hiking boot purchase did not take into consideration the fact that, one, it was Labor Day weekend and the biggest sale of the year for REI, and two, that buying something online at midnight does not mean your stuff will be ready when you walk in at 10:00 am the next morning. Thanks to the combination of covid regulations, the Labor Day sale, and my thoughtless ordering process, the 3 lines I had to wait in to buy these hiking boots took a grand total of an hour and a half to get through; all the while Edwin and Mabel, my dog, were waiting in the car for me. Needless to say when I finally did make my way back to the car, I had a grumpy crew who were stuck in the car with me for the next three hours. But hey, at least I had hiking boots. 

The Confusing Campsite:

When we finally arrived at the service road leading up to the campgrounds we were tired of the car (and perhaps of each other). We were ready to set up camp, play a game of Rummy 500, and go to bed. Unfortunately for us a few more obstacles stood in our way before any of that could happen. First of all the service road that I was convinced would take us to the top proved to be rougher terrain than anticipated and proved me wrong. As Edwin grumbled about his concern for the rough road ahead, I decided to keep mine inside hoping that the car wouldn’t fall apart, and trying to reassure him that “we could definitely make it another few miles, it will be such a cool view!” Luckily for me, my counterpart keeps my ideas in check, and made the executive decision to turn around and find a place to set up camp before our car combusted. As we started to drive back down the hill, we saw a few established campsites; something we did not expect to see given this land was advertised to be a dispersed campground. My inexperienced and afraid-to-break-the-rules mind convinced me that because there were established campsites that were kind of far apart, I had the incorrect notion of what dispersed camping really was. Instead of listening to my level-headed boyfriend, I decided hiking up a steep hill carrying all of our supplies, and dog in tow to find a spot where rangers couldn’t possibly find us was the most plausible next step. About half a mile up the ridiculous journey I forced upon my crew, I realized unless we went for about twenty more miles we were not going to find a flat spot to put up our tent, so down we went. Frustrated and tired we got back in the car to see if we had missed an open campsite. What we found was a small patch of dirt connected to another campsite that was occupied. We assumed it was free for the taking so set up camp. Relieved and moving past the stored up anger I provoked we played a few game of cards. About an hour later, the man who had set his tent up in the adjacent camp site, kindly asked us to find a new spot to set up camp because his friends were coming up to meet him that night. Slightly annoyed, but grateful that he confirmed dispersed camping meant what we thought it did originally we hauled our stuff into a dried up marsh land nearby. The view was beautiful and we were able to easily access the car parked on the service road about a quarter of a mile from our tent. What we didn’t realize until we had re-set up our tent was that the marsh land we were in was in direct sunlight from sunup to sun down, not the easiest thing to deal with for multiple days for the fair-skinned Swede I am dating or the intensely fluffy dog we love so much. So off we went again, this time on foot. We finally spotted a shaded outcropping in the trees that had an amazing view of the aspen trees just starting to change colors. Luckily the third time was the charm for us, and we finally settled into our home for the next three days. Once we had set up camp for the final time, we were able sit back, relax and enjoy nature. 

The Shooting Star That Made it All Worth it: 

With all the trouble we were going to have to face for the weekend behind us, we spent time exploring around Buffalo Pass and got to see some of the most beautiful landscape we’ve ever experienced. Mabel got to be off leash the entire weekend because of the distance between us and other campers, and we got to enjoy some much needed quality time after our unfortunately adventurous first day.  The skies were clear which made for unbelievable stargazing. On our last night after we had eaten dinner and it was getting dark, we decided to stay outside a while and watch the stars. About twenty minutes into our stargazing session we saw the brightest and longest lasting shooting star either of us had ever seen. It was blazing orange, and because of the lack of light pollution it seemed to light up the entire sky. Edwin and I realized at that moment that my overly eager nature and tendency to under-plan combined with his conservative and stable mentality lead us to what we believe to be the best spot in Buffalo Pass. Though the journey was trying, and somewhat comical when standing outside of the moment, the destination was absolutely worth it. 

 

Listicle

The beautiful city of Denver provides amazing opportunities for outdoor excursions, delicious food, cozy stays and freshly brewed coffee on almost every street corner– not only do the endless options have a seat for you and your friends, but they’ve reserved a water bowl for your pup too!

My golden retriever, Mabel, and I love to experience what Denver has to offer together, and luckily the dog-friendly Colorado capital makes that easy to do! Below are some of the best spots to enjoy everything from a cup of coffee to a walk in nature with your furry best friend.

#1 Cherry Creek State Park – Off Leash Dog Area: S Entrance Rd, Aurora, CO 80015

My absolute favorite place to take my dog is the off-leash dog area at the Cherry Creek State Park. The views are spectacular, and there are acres upon acres for your furry friend to run and make friends. There is a dirt trail running throughout the entire park, at one point leading to a small creek that is safe for dogs to splash around in. There are also obstacles at some point along the trail, where it’s easy to teach an old dog new tricks! This not-so-hidden gem in Aurora guarantees a great time and a tired pup!

 

 

#2 The Watering Bowl: 5411 Leetsdale Dr, Denver, CO 80246

Save a dog. Drink a beer. Sound like a good time? Well, then head over to The Watering Hole where they serve cold beer with a purpose. Rescue donates 10% of net profits to dog rescues, so you can feel good not only because you don’t have to leave your pup behind when you go to lunch, but also because that beer is helping dogs without homes all over the country. The Watering Hole is great way to spend the afternoon with your best friend.

 

#3 The Crawford Hotel: 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Looking for a place to stay, but struggling to find a place suitable for your dog? Look no further than the Crawford Hotel. Located right by Union Station, the Crawford Hotel knows that your pet’s comfort is as important as yours and provides the amenities to prove it. Your doggo will get the royal treatment, a bed, two bowls, treats, bones and chew toys are all included in the $50 per night per pet fee. And that’s not all— the deal is sweetened with a Furbo pet watcher installed in your room, so if you feel like hitting the town no leash in tow, you can meander worry free!

#4 Stella’s Gourmet Coffee and Such: 1476 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210

Enjoy a latte and listen to live music with your pup in tow. Stella’s caters to humans and dogs alike, selling delicious coffee creations for you as well as treats for your furry friend. Sit on the patio and enjoy the beautiful weather Denver has to offer in the company of your best friend.

#5 Sloan’s Lake: Sloan Lake, Denver, CO 80212

Sloan’s lake is a bustling park with a trail wrapping around the water. It is a beautiful walk that you and your dog can both enjoy together. With plenty of wagging tails to sniff and a few miles to walk (or run), your pup will be exhausted after their time at Sloan’s Lake. Lucky for you, the trail is in the Highlands, one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for food. Once your doggo is worn out and you’ve built up an appetite from walking around the lake head to one of the many dog friendly restaurants nearby!

Review

As you walk through the doors to CAVA the first few things you notice are the fresh smell of hummus and falaffel, the cleanliness of the large space, as well as the fact that you aren’t sure where to begin; the doors line up with the register, but you will soon realize an immediate hard left is required to get the process started. Luckily, the confusing entrance is not representative of the rest of your experience. Once you do find your way to the start of the made-to-order Mediterranean service bar, you are greeted by friendly and helpful staff. With so many options and a cuisine unfamiliar to many, the staff make the process easy by offering helpful recommendations and happily answering any questions you may have. When you finish paying, the cashier asks if you’d like utensils or not, which not only proves that they are implementing Covid safe practices by keeping utensils out of public reach, but also limits waste of single use plastic for customers who may be taking their bowls home. I ordered a bowl with a base out of half of their new “right rice” which is a combination of cold rice and a few riced vegetables and half of their mixed greens. Then I added chicken and hummus as well as quite a few of the various toppings and sauces they offer– it was delicious! The best part, though, is the amount of delicious, quality food they give you relative to the price. The bowl ended up costing about $12, and lasted for my next three meals– definitely worth the price. Other than the confusing entrance my expectations of the casual Mediterranean joint were exceeded, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, satisfying, and healthy meal!