Brainerd

Layover in Mpls, just enough time to have two TEN DOLLAR beers

Did you know you could fly to Brainerd?  It was an itty bitty plane, very short flight from the city. I wanted a nice fall weekend with lots of colors, but northern Minnesota had other plans....

Cloudy, but nice.  It ended up being chilly, but not crazy cold. 

We stayed right off the property of Grand View Lodge.  We used to vacation there as kids, and I swear to GOD, this is the lodge we stayed in. I knew it the minute I passed it. 

Katie, Melinda, and me at Grand View Lodge 1988

Deer everywhere.  I grew up in a house that had deer in the backyard almost every winter morning, plus Minnesota AND Missouri both have huge deer populations.  So, why is it still so magical every time you see one??

Saturday ended up being absolutely beautiful, it was almost warm in the sun

Kevin trying for a flattering shot....

I've known both these girls since Widsten Elementary. It was so good to get time with, a real rarity with work, kids, bills, life....It's so important to make time for this stuff and Ms Sarah was the ULTIMATE hostess! (Hi Sarah!)

C's 'little library' for his neighborhood

The crew for weekend (minus C)

It was so nice to be so close to the resort.  We just walked up to the bars and restaurants on property and never had to get in a car!

Little bit of DRANKING happened over the weekend

Amelia and Kale

Bar time fun with Kevin

We will be back! Hopefully soon, it was just such a good time and such a beautiful part of the state. 

Loveland, Colorado

Windmills in the clouds

BIG Colorado skies

Sadly, we were out in Colorado for a funeral, but Matt and I tried to have a good time and use it as an excuse to get away for our anniversary.

We stayed in this great Airbnb, right in downtown Loveland.  

We drove all day Saturday and were pretty beat, but we tried to get out for a bit downtown that first night.

There was a chalk art festival that we walked around in and then just went out for some drinks.

Sunday, before the funeral, we met halfway with Rachel and had a little brunch. It was too short, but so good to see an old friend.  We've been friends for 25 years. 

After the funeral, I made Matt pull over on the side of the road and take pictures of us (he was so annoyed)

Loveland is known for their bronze sculptures. They are everywhere. We walked through their 10 acre sculpture garden which was beautiful.

Me?

I obviously like the rabbits

Sun was setting and the whole sky was on fire, it was beautiful

Monday was the day that we took for ourselves.  We drove up to Estes and down to Boulder and back around to Loveland.

The yellow you see are the Aspens. 

The aspens were all turning to Yellow, they were amazing

We tried out this 'easy' 2.7 mile hike (one way, then you have to go back down!)

It was obviously INCREDIBLE. But, uh...there is no air up there so my lungs kept collapsing. But Matt made me keep going and I'm so glad he did.  Totally worth it and I was pretty darn proud of myself!

Look at that damn elevation!

Unbelievable blue skies

This was on our way out of the park- amazing

Boulder- cute but yuppy as all get out (their fire hydrants are millennial mint green)

The last waterfall!

We got home and showered and found this old 70's steakhouse to have our 'anniversary' dinner.  It was delicious! I can't remember the last time I actually ordered steak at a restaurant.

New friends