There haven't been a whole lot of happening since my last post. The usual work, work, school, and work. I did go to an Art Walk in Old Town last Friday night with some friends and hit up the outlets in Loveland on Saturday. I couldn't buy anything, but it helped me form a nice birthday list. Oh and of course Easter. It was a perfect weather type of Easter Sunday. Sunny with mid-70's temperatures. Can't complain, good food, good company, and a nice nap on the hammock. Nothing too exciting in the life of me, but here are my observations for the past week and a half.
Only in Fort Collins:
- Is beer incorporated in everything. Example: they served New Belgium Beer at all the downtown art gallery showings for free. I didn't realize I was going out on the town for free on Friday.
- Another example: The 9 craft brewers in Fort Collins come together once a year in honor of American Craft Beer Week (May 14-20) and make a collaborative beer with a 'Colorado Focus' this means local honey, hops, unmalted spelt, and even snow from the high country are included in this stuff. It will be sold at all 9 of the breweries the week of American Craft Beer Week and I can't wait to try it.
- Does a brewery own a bike that is specially designed to deliver kegs. Yes, Equinox brewery has a bike that they pedal and the keg sits in a specially made front part and that is how they deliver most kegs. of course! Why wouldn't breweries use bikes to deliver kegs!
- Can I go out for breakfast frequently and never eat at the same local breakfast place. My friend and I tried a new place off the main drag called Backporch Cafe, with a lovely cafe and the inside literally makes you feel like you just woke up and sat down at your own kitchen table. Very homey! And the food is pretty good, I wouldn't give it a 5 out of 5 for food, but for sure on atmosphere. It also doubles as a yarn/knitting store. Which is pretty awesome.
- Can I score free breakfast food everywhere. I don't know what it is, but it seems like people here are just dying to give me free breakfast food. I go to Snooze and I get a free Pineapple upside down pancake from a waitress, I go to backporch cafe, order a cinnamon roll to go for my boyfriend, and the waiter gives it to me for free. I must look like I'm starving!
Speaking of, it is dinner time.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
My Springtime Epiphany
I had an epiphany today. I went for a run and realized 2 things:
1. It is really nice to have warm weather and longer days. I got caught into a horrible routine where I would bike/run to the gym and workout there. I was reminded today how much I love to run outside. Not only does it physically make me feel good, it gives me a chance to observe, process, and think about things. Which brings me to my second realization...
2. I have not been motivated to blog these past 5 months because people have been hibernating. Just as I was hibernating in the gym, there have not been many people to watch and observe outside until these past few weeks when it has started being beautiful out.
That being said.... I have realized I need to spend a little time just for me each day. I have gotten into a horrible habit of not allowing anytime to myself and that is just not healthy. I'm hoping to get outside and have some 'me' time and in turn I will have more observations of the town and the people in it.
These past 2 weekends it has been beautiful out and I have gone hiking both weekends, which also made me realize I am a bit more out of shape than I thought. There are no excuses and it needs to stop here. I have high expectations for this summer. I have several 14ers I need to climb, camping trips to go on, not to mention one sister's graduation and another sister's wedding to attend. I need to stop using the excuse that I am too busy and find an hour a day to spend outside with myself (this does not include my bike ride to and from school and work).
So here it is, the return of my blog. I'm hoping it will keep me accountable in many ways. If you would like to help me in this process, my birthday is coming up and I really need some hiking shoes for all of my adventures. I'm accepting donations starting today.
I'm going to help myself in this process by buying more deodorant tonight since I ran out today.
To be honest, my winter months in Fort Collins were not really spent in Fort Collins. There were numerous trips back to Iowa, many ski trips to the mountains, a trip to Las Vegas, and not many observations in Fort Collins to write about.
But only in Fort Collins:
- Have I been to a winter drive-in movie thanks to my boyfriend and his creativeness.
- Do they hand out full size cinnamon rolls in the St. Patrick's Day parade
- Is there 85 degree weather in March
- Do I know it is Spring time because I am starting to see random pianos around town again
- Does every 5k or race that I run have free beer and breakfast burritos at the end.
- Will I be a bike freak and ride my bike as much as possible. Gas is too expensive right now. Think I could ride my bike back to Iowa this summer?
- Do the breweries put on caching. Not geocaching, just caching. Today while I was out running there were flocks of people caching. Literally tons of people on bikes and even more running aimlessly through town. Basically finding hidden marks that lead or point to their next spot that they have to go to. The prize at the end is free beer. Imagine that.
- Do I not dread going to work at JCPenney
Wait. I'm not sure about that last one, though it is a much nicer work environment than my previous experiences. I'm only scheduled for 4 or 5 hour shifts which makes life much more manageable and enjoyable. Exactly what a part-time job should be, a few hours for extra money. I already have a job and full time schedule at school. On that note, I'm headed there soon. Time to go shower. Happy Spring!
1. It is really nice to have warm weather and longer days. I got caught into a horrible routine where I would bike/run to the gym and workout there. I was reminded today how much I love to run outside. Not only does it physically make me feel good, it gives me a chance to observe, process, and think about things. Which brings me to my second realization...
2. I have not been motivated to blog these past 5 months because people have been hibernating. Just as I was hibernating in the gym, there have not been many people to watch and observe outside until these past few weeks when it has started being beautiful out.
That being said.... I have realized I need to spend a little time just for me each day. I have gotten into a horrible habit of not allowing anytime to myself and that is just not healthy. I'm hoping to get outside and have some 'me' time and in turn I will have more observations of the town and the people in it.
These past 2 weekends it has been beautiful out and I have gone hiking both weekends, which also made me realize I am a bit more out of shape than I thought. There are no excuses and it needs to stop here. I have high expectations for this summer. I have several 14ers I need to climb, camping trips to go on, not to mention one sister's graduation and another sister's wedding to attend. I need to stop using the excuse that I am too busy and find an hour a day to spend outside with myself (this does not include my bike ride to and from school and work).
So here it is, the return of my blog. I'm hoping it will keep me accountable in many ways. If you would like to help me in this process, my birthday is coming up and I really need some hiking shoes for all of my adventures. I'm accepting donations starting today.
I'm going to help myself in this process by buying more deodorant tonight since I ran out today.
To be honest, my winter months in Fort Collins were not really spent in Fort Collins. There were numerous trips back to Iowa, many ski trips to the mountains, a trip to Las Vegas, and not many observations in Fort Collins to write about.
But only in Fort Collins:
- Have I been to a winter drive-in movie thanks to my boyfriend and his creativeness.
- Do they hand out full size cinnamon rolls in the St. Patrick's Day parade
- Is there 85 degree weather in March
- Do I know it is Spring time because I am starting to see random pianos around town again
- Does every 5k or race that I run have free beer and breakfast burritos at the end.
- Will I be a bike freak and ride my bike as much as possible. Gas is too expensive right now. Think I could ride my bike back to Iowa this summer?
- Do the breweries put on caching. Not geocaching, just caching. Today while I was out running there were flocks of people caching. Literally tons of people on bikes and even more running aimlessly through town. Basically finding hidden marks that lead or point to their next spot that they have to go to. The prize at the end is free beer. Imagine that.
- Do I not dread going to work at JCPenney
Wait. I'm not sure about that last one, though it is a much nicer work environment than my previous experiences. I'm only scheduled for 4 or 5 hour shifts which makes life much more manageable and enjoyable. Exactly what a part-time job should be, a few hours for extra money. I already have a job and full time schedule at school. On that note, I'm headed there soon. Time to go shower. Happy Spring!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Snow, Zombies, and Ugly Mountains
Mid-terms are not very conducive to blogging, so I apologize for the lack of Fort Collins information from me lately. October has seemed to slip by, but not without proving to be quite eventful for this town.
The colors of fall in this town are amazing. My friends and I took a trip to Estes Park a few weekends back. Here are some of the highlights:
- Fun Fact: Dogs are not allowed on Rocky Mountain National Park trails. Learned this the hard way after my friend bought a Year Pass to the park and realized her dog was not allowed, poor Olivia : (
- Glen Haven General Store has the BEST homemade cinnamon rolls ever. If you are in the Estes area, take time to stop by Glen Haven, it is a quaint little town that has some great hiking around the area. Less populated than Estes.
- Even Bartenders at the Stanley have connections to Iowa. Our bartender, Jimmy, had a roommate from Iowa who just went back to help his uncle harvest, whatever that is.
- Also I recommend the trout dip at the Stanley, as well as getting a nice glass of wine and enjoying the sunset on the front porch. Amazing views.
Continuing on with the breakfast scene:
- Fort Collins has an amazing breakfast place called Snooze's, amazing pancakes. I had a lemon blueberry oatmeal while I was there, delicious. So many great Breakfast places here.
- Another great breakfast place: Lucille's. I bike by it everyday on my way to class, and finally got the chance to try. It is a New Orleans type breakfast. Amazing biscuits, strawberry rhubarb jam, and delicious eggs and potatoes. They also have grits that looked awesome, I will be back for sure.
- They also have an amazing creperie: La creperie. I have walked by many a night and have seen them making the fresh croissants and other amazing European pastries. I tried a brioche (fluffy pastry bread with egg, spinach, etc inside.) and it was amazing. I also shared a pastry which brought me back to my days in Europe, they were amazing and very true to taste. I will be back.
**On a side note I feel that Hollandaise sauce is very popular here, and I am a fan.
I went to visit my friend Danielle a few weeks back in Denver. She showed me the shopping scene and got me hooked to IKEA. That place is huge and amazing. I don't know how I survived college and furnished my first apartment without using it as a resource. We also hiked in Frisco. Hoping to climb a mountain to get some great views of Lake Dillion, we realized afterwards we forgot to take a turn and apparently climbed up what is known to everyone in the town as a really 'ugly' mountain. They just call it 'ugly mountain' And i will agree it was ugly and way intense to climb. We still had some great views, but it was quite an adventure in Frisco.
Back in Fort Collins, there has been quite the disaster occurring lately. First off I need to say the weather has been perfect since I have been here. I was still in shorts and a t-shirt all last week. Beautiful weather and of course beautiful colors.
But only in Fort Collins.....
- Will I get into a Vampire show. I suppose True Blood isn't that bad and fun to watch with my friends.....
- Do they have a bar called the Luscious Nectar that has amazing blended alcoholic beverages and everclear in all of there delicious shots. It can get dangerous, but also entertaining. Their dance floor is on the second level and very easy to observe from below.... very entertaining.
- I got into my first bike crash. One boy. One Truck. Not paying attention. Backed up right into the whole entire bike path. I didnt have time to stop, so off my bike I went. No need to worry, my big star jeans came away with no holes or stains, my bike is just fine. And I have 2 knarly bruises on both my knees and a nice scrape on the arm to prove it. A bike helmet will be first on the Christmas List this year.
- The stupid train. I hate the stupid train. It has no rhyme or reason. It just shows up....right when I need to cross the tracks and get somewhere. Always. Always. Always. I wish it didnt separate my apartment from the school.
- Corn Mazes do not compare to Iowa. Big surprise. The corn is not planted close enough together and the maze was easy to get through!! Come on Colorado, lets step it up!
Big Events in Fort Collins this week:
- There was a Zombie Walk on Saturday, which mainly consists of the usual nightlife dressing up as zombies and going around to each of the bars. It is like a pregame for Halloween..but in kind of a creepy way...
- Major Fire on Sunday night in Old Town. Some lofts burnt down and I woke up to a cloud of smoke and ashes all over my car and parking lot. Not sure what caused it but there are several students out of a home and several cats that were lost : (
- Huge snow storm last night!! Of course I went and played in the massive amounts of wet and heavy snow for a few hours, ignoring the fact that I needed to be up by 5 for work this morning. They don't make snowmen here apparently, they make snow caterpillars. We were up to about 6 inches this morning and it continued to snow all day, and naturally my ice scraper was no where to be found. Time for a new one. However, the town looks like a disaster area. Since the snow is so heavy there are many, many trees and limbs down and falling all over the road making it a huge hazard to drivers and pedestrians.
No need to worry, my apartment and car are both safe, there are not huge trees near that could fall. And I just got a new straightener that turns off automatically after an hour, so no fire hazard here!
Happy Halloween Weekend!! Should be a good one. Not only is it my LAST week of weekend class ever, but it is also my dad's birthday weekend! Happy Birthday : ) Happy Halloween everyone!
The colors of fall in this town are amazing. My friends and I took a trip to Estes Park a few weekends back. Here are some of the highlights:
- Fun Fact: Dogs are not allowed on Rocky Mountain National Park trails. Learned this the hard way after my friend bought a Year Pass to the park and realized her dog was not allowed, poor Olivia : (
- Glen Haven General Store has the BEST homemade cinnamon rolls ever. If you are in the Estes area, take time to stop by Glen Haven, it is a quaint little town that has some great hiking around the area. Less populated than Estes.
- Even Bartenders at the Stanley have connections to Iowa. Our bartender, Jimmy, had a roommate from Iowa who just went back to help his uncle harvest, whatever that is.
- Also I recommend the trout dip at the Stanley, as well as getting a nice glass of wine and enjoying the sunset on the front porch. Amazing views.
Continuing on with the breakfast scene:
- Fort Collins has an amazing breakfast place called Snooze's, amazing pancakes. I had a lemon blueberry oatmeal while I was there, delicious. So many great Breakfast places here.
- Another great breakfast place: Lucille's. I bike by it everyday on my way to class, and finally got the chance to try. It is a New Orleans type breakfast. Amazing biscuits, strawberry rhubarb jam, and delicious eggs and potatoes. They also have grits that looked awesome, I will be back for sure.
- They also have an amazing creperie: La creperie. I have walked by many a night and have seen them making the fresh croissants and other amazing European pastries. I tried a brioche (fluffy pastry bread with egg, spinach, etc inside.) and it was amazing. I also shared a pastry which brought me back to my days in Europe, they were amazing and very true to taste. I will be back.
**On a side note I feel that Hollandaise sauce is very popular here, and I am a fan.
I went to visit my friend Danielle a few weeks back in Denver. She showed me the shopping scene and got me hooked to IKEA. That place is huge and amazing. I don't know how I survived college and furnished my first apartment without using it as a resource. We also hiked in Frisco. Hoping to climb a mountain to get some great views of Lake Dillion, we realized afterwards we forgot to take a turn and apparently climbed up what is known to everyone in the town as a really 'ugly' mountain. They just call it 'ugly mountain' And i will agree it was ugly and way intense to climb. We still had some great views, but it was quite an adventure in Frisco.
Back in Fort Collins, there has been quite the disaster occurring lately. First off I need to say the weather has been perfect since I have been here. I was still in shorts and a t-shirt all last week. Beautiful weather and of course beautiful colors.
But only in Fort Collins.....
- Will I get into a Vampire show. I suppose True Blood isn't that bad and fun to watch with my friends.....
- Do they have a bar called the Luscious Nectar that has amazing blended alcoholic beverages and everclear in all of there delicious shots. It can get dangerous, but also entertaining. Their dance floor is on the second level and very easy to observe from below.... very entertaining.
- I got into my first bike crash. One boy. One Truck. Not paying attention. Backed up right into the whole entire bike path. I didnt have time to stop, so off my bike I went. No need to worry, my big star jeans came away with no holes or stains, my bike is just fine. And I have 2 knarly bruises on both my knees and a nice scrape on the arm to prove it. A bike helmet will be first on the Christmas List this year.
- The stupid train. I hate the stupid train. It has no rhyme or reason. It just shows up....right when I need to cross the tracks and get somewhere. Always. Always. Always. I wish it didnt separate my apartment from the school.
- Corn Mazes do not compare to Iowa. Big surprise. The corn is not planted close enough together and the maze was easy to get through!! Come on Colorado, lets step it up!
Big Events in Fort Collins this week:
- There was a Zombie Walk on Saturday, which mainly consists of the usual nightlife dressing up as zombies and going around to each of the bars. It is like a pregame for Halloween..but in kind of a creepy way...
- Major Fire on Sunday night in Old Town. Some lofts burnt down and I woke up to a cloud of smoke and ashes all over my car and parking lot. Not sure what caused it but there are several students out of a home and several cats that were lost : (
- Huge snow storm last night!! Of course I went and played in the massive amounts of wet and heavy snow for a few hours, ignoring the fact that I needed to be up by 5 for work this morning. They don't make snowmen here apparently, they make snow caterpillars. We were up to about 6 inches this morning and it continued to snow all day, and naturally my ice scraper was no where to be found. Time for a new one. However, the town looks like a disaster area. Since the snow is so heavy there are many, many trees and limbs down and falling all over the road making it a huge hazard to drivers and pedestrians.
No need to worry, my apartment and car are both safe, there are not huge trees near that could fall. And I just got a new straightener that turns off automatically after an hour, so no fire hazard here!
Happy Halloween Weekend!! Should be a good one. Not only is it my LAST week of weekend class ever, but it is also my dad's birthday weekend! Happy Birthday : ) Happy Halloween everyone!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Cicadas in September
It's been awhile. I have had a super busy few weeks. Lots of projects, but enough about that. First I need to brag about the weather. Still 75-80 degree weather here. Beautiful!! Nights are getting a bit colder, making it feel more like fall, but still loving the weather.
Went to Denver for the CU vs. CSU game two weekends ago and have many observations from that. Last weekend I met up with my friend Anna and we went to a silent auction in Windsor, Colorado (about 20 minutes from Fort Collins). A lady she used to work with in Iowa has a brother who lives there and he was putting on the auction. It was called the LAUREN Project and it was based off of the death of his daughter, Lauren. At the age of 25 Lauren suddenly died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in her apartment. Lauren was an advocate for making the world a better place through volunteer work in third would countries and had traveled to many different countries in support of this. The LAUREN Project's mission is to provide grants to students under the age of 35 to do international volunteer projects. Just as Lauren loved to do. The second focus is to do carbon monoxide education and awareness projects. During the silent auction 3 students who had received the grant in the past came up to present on their experience. There was also a delicious meal and plenty of things to bid on. With all this coming to light, I realized that I did not have a carbon monoxide detector in my apartment and bid on one. I can officially say I have installed mine in my apartment now and it's light is telling me that it is working. What a neat way to spend a Saturday night! An added bonus: we were outside on the deck of an amazing country club and the sunset was phenomenal! Can't beat the sunsets here.
Well it is officially homecoming weekend and naturally I had weekend class so did not get to participate in any of the activities except for fighting all of the parade traffic on my way to class Friday night and randomly hearing the CSU fight song sung at 2AM. Annnd from what I heard we lost the game today, I believe it was 38-31. But go Central Dutch!! Also homecoming in Pella, IA and playing the number 1 team in the conference and one of our biggest rivals. They had a successful win, sad I couldn't be there to cheer them on and celebrate afterwards.
But only in Fort Collins....
- Will you have to stop for a fox crossing traffic at 5 in the morning. In the middle of the city.
- Do they have a picture symbol for every public institution. The school district, the parks, the library. It can never just say "poudre school district' it has to have the picture symbol with it.
- Do the doors open the wrong way. I swear!! I have had more embarrassing moments here with doors, I am convinced they push to open on the opposite side from the ones in Iowa.
- So those feathers that you see girls wearing in their hair now. Yeah I wish I had one. But more importantly, they were started in Fort Collins. Actually right across from my apartment. There is a fly fishing place on the corner by my apartment and a man there started them with rooster feathers. No joke, read about it the other day. I'm a believer.
- Reasons why large university football games are better than DIII schools:
-live mascots!! Hello Ralphie the crazy Buffalo. CU actually brings their buffalo, Ralphie, with them
on the road to every game. And he runs wildly on the field right before the game and again during
halftime. It is hilarious. Our little Ram doesn't like to travel. Motion sickness I'm sure.
- People watching is great. Girls in these new things they like to call t-shirt dresses. Literally a large
t-shirt somehow cut into a really short, skanky dress. It is strapless and just ties in the back.
- Do bars get shut down for serving someone who was already intoxicated way over the legal limit. Yep. One of my favorite places to go, the sports exchange (stock market bar) shut down for 10 days.
- Do they still have a real bon fire, like a big big real bon fire, lots of fireworks, and a pep rally complete with football players with jerseys and cowboy boots on for homecoming. Fireworks=insane!!
-Do they have a bike to breakfast program. Every Thursday. Bike to the location they advertise and you get free breakfast. I do love breakfast : )
- $6.25 for a movie on a Saturday night?? Yes I will take a $2.75 discount for being a student. 50/50 was a great movie by the way. Sad, but really good.
- Oh yeah and cicadas are still being loud, even on September 30. Seriously, I heard one with my own ears just yesterday on my run.
Off to do some hiking and fall color viewing in Estes Park tomorrow followed by a stop at the winery for some wine tasting. Should be a beautiful day!!
Went to Denver for the CU vs. CSU game two weekends ago and have many observations from that. Last weekend I met up with my friend Anna and we went to a silent auction in Windsor, Colorado (about 20 minutes from Fort Collins). A lady she used to work with in Iowa has a brother who lives there and he was putting on the auction. It was called the LAUREN Project and it was based off of the death of his daughter, Lauren. At the age of 25 Lauren suddenly died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in her apartment. Lauren was an advocate for making the world a better place through volunteer work in third would countries and had traveled to many different countries in support of this. The LAUREN Project's mission is to provide grants to students under the age of 35 to do international volunteer projects. Just as Lauren loved to do. The second focus is to do carbon monoxide education and awareness projects. During the silent auction 3 students who had received the grant in the past came up to present on their experience. There was also a delicious meal and plenty of things to bid on. With all this coming to light, I realized that I did not have a carbon monoxide detector in my apartment and bid on one. I can officially say I have installed mine in my apartment now and it's light is telling me that it is working. What a neat way to spend a Saturday night! An added bonus: we were outside on the deck of an amazing country club and the sunset was phenomenal! Can't beat the sunsets here.
Well it is officially homecoming weekend and naturally I had weekend class so did not get to participate in any of the activities except for fighting all of the parade traffic on my way to class Friday night and randomly hearing the CSU fight song sung at 2AM. Annnd from what I heard we lost the game today, I believe it was 38-31. But go Central Dutch!! Also homecoming in Pella, IA and playing the number 1 team in the conference and one of our biggest rivals. They had a successful win, sad I couldn't be there to cheer them on and celebrate afterwards.
But only in Fort Collins....
- Will you have to stop for a fox crossing traffic at 5 in the morning. In the middle of the city.
- Do they have a picture symbol for every public institution. The school district, the parks, the library. It can never just say "poudre school district' it has to have the picture symbol with it.
- Do the doors open the wrong way. I swear!! I have had more embarrassing moments here with doors, I am convinced they push to open on the opposite side from the ones in Iowa.
- So those feathers that you see girls wearing in their hair now. Yeah I wish I had one. But more importantly, they were started in Fort Collins. Actually right across from my apartment. There is a fly fishing place on the corner by my apartment and a man there started them with rooster feathers. No joke, read about it the other day. I'm a believer.
- Reasons why large university football games are better than DIII schools:
-live mascots!! Hello Ralphie the crazy Buffalo. CU actually brings their buffalo, Ralphie, with them
on the road to every game. And he runs wildly on the field right before the game and again during
halftime. It is hilarious. Our little Ram doesn't like to travel. Motion sickness I'm sure.
- People watching is great. Girls in these new things they like to call t-shirt dresses. Literally a large
t-shirt somehow cut into a really short, skanky dress. It is strapless and just ties in the back.
- Do bars get shut down for serving someone who was already intoxicated way over the legal limit. Yep. One of my favorite places to go, the sports exchange (stock market bar) shut down for 10 days.
- Do they still have a real bon fire, like a big big real bon fire, lots of fireworks, and a pep rally complete with football players with jerseys and cowboy boots on for homecoming. Fireworks=insane!!
-Do they have a bike to breakfast program. Every Thursday. Bike to the location they advertise and you get free breakfast. I do love breakfast : )
- $6.25 for a movie on a Saturday night?? Yes I will take a $2.75 discount for being a student. 50/50 was a great movie by the way. Sad, but really good.
- Oh yeah and cicadas are still being loud, even on September 30. Seriously, I heard one with my own ears just yesterday on my run.
Off to do some hiking and fall color viewing in Estes Park tomorrow followed by a stop at the winery for some wine tasting. Should be a beautiful day!!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Burritos, Beer, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High
After getting burnt at my tennis tournament on Sunday, the weather here dramatically turned identical to winter time in London. Constant rain and 50 degree weather all this week. Perfect for enjoying a nice can of Spaghetti O's after work. Yup. I did it. Haven't had them since maybe junior high and they were delicious. Looks like we are in store for a warm up just in time for the big Rocky Mountain Showdown this weekend. And round 2 of my tennis tournament.
Each day I become increasingly pleased with the location of my apartment. Perfect location to be in the middle of everything. Something is always going on in Old Town, last weekend there was a car show, this weekend it looks to be a kids' festival complete with numerous inflatables. Always something to keep me occupied and plenty of people watching.
But only in Fort Collins...
Happy Weekend : )
Each day I become increasingly pleased with the location of my apartment. Perfect location to be in the middle of everything. Something is always going on in Old Town, last weekend there was a car show, this weekend it looks to be a kids' festival complete with numerous inflatables. Always something to keep me occupied and plenty of people watching.
But only in Fort Collins...
- Will I pay $1.50 per load to wash my clothes and an additional $1.25 to dry a load. Good thing I am an infinitely wealthy college graduate student. I might as well pay a little extra and have all of my clothes dry cleaned.
- Does a 50 year old man commit suicide and wander off to die underneath a tree near campus.....sad.
- Is it okay for me to watch Teen Mom and Jersey Shore on MTV.com. Hey all spanish and public tv channels + no cable + no DVD player = movies and tv shows on the computer to put off the homework.
- Do I actually get along and actually enjoy the company of some of my JCPenney co-workers. I even met them on my day off today for a late brunch at this great place called the Egg and I. (Disclaimer: I did have select few at my old store I enjoyed as well!)
- Am I okay going to a restaurant and ordering breakfast for lunch. For those of you who don't know, in undergrad I HATED breakfast for dinner. You can't go to the Egg and I and not order breakfast food. Yum!
- Ordering your eggs over hard? Maybe I'm naive. Apparently this is lingo for fried eggs. News to me!
- Will I pay extra for all natural stir only peanut butter. Well on my way to stupid hippie mode. Next stop: Joining the local co-op down the road with my new friend Emily who just moved in across the hall from me.
- Are there 10 million lifting racks in the weight room and not one of them has a female at it. All males. Yes I do get weird looks. No it does not stop me from squatting and bench pressing my pathetically light weight.
- Do they have a CSU women's tennis team....but no men's team. 12 brand new courts....all for the ladies. Nice!
- Do they play bike polo in the park. in the grass....instead of water polo....or using horses. Interesting, and entertaining to watch.
- Oh yeah and drive in movies at New Belgium Brewery every Thursday night in August and July. Here is the catch: you can only drive your bike, no cars allowed! Emily and I checked it out tonight, it is conveniently right down the road from our apartments. Nothing better than paying $2 for a movie and enjoying some delicious Burrito City and a Fat Tire while watching a classic early 80's movie. Great way to end the week. Think we'll go again next week, hopefully I wont have to wear a jacket and two sweatshirts!
Happy Weekend : )
Thursday, September 8, 2011
It's like a Pregame for Halloween
Yes, we all thought that the crazy apartment pool party that looked like an MTV springbreak gone wild was bad. Tour de fat was even more crazies just not confined to one pool area. It was insane. 5 blocks of people dressed up in costume on bikes getting ready to parade around town. It took me about two hours to finish the parade route (which moves extremely slow) and even when I was finishing, there were still people just starting. And I thought Living History Farms was crazy and full of random people. Tour de fat = prime time people watching. Let me just show you.
Here we have Fred and Wilma getting ready to start the race.
And naturally a big T-Rex Man, yes he is drinking beer in this picture.
Davy Crockett Colorado Style?
I always pictured Sponge Bob looking way different in real life....
Chick-fil-A mascot? Not for sure.
Of course classic Pac-Man
Gotta get at least one mullet in there.
The gang from the hangover asked us to be in their picture
gnomes in their natural environment
Alan from the hangover, satchel and all
annd there was alot of this...random costumes....
Portable disco ball
Penguin man
Holy Batman!
Of course no festival is complete without an oversized porta potty that you can karoke in
Our prime picture taking time was after the parade where New Belgium Brewery had free stages complete with music, competitions, and comedic acts. And plenty of beer tents. All in all a very successful but tiring day!
My labor day weekend was not complete without a trip into Rocky Mountain National Park. We decided to hike to Chasm Lake, right next to Long's Peak (one of the highest peaks you can actually hike to in Rocky Mountain National Park). The round trip was 9 miles and to Long's Peak it is 14 I believe. Someday soon, it is a goal I have. But Chasm Lake was beautiful, and I heard we went at a great time. Let me just share with you:
Beautiful Columbine in the Alpine Tundra
The streams were full and flowing
Chasm Lake!
Beautiful Waterfall
A marmot, relative to the squirrel : )
Long's Peak in the Fall. Great day and perfect weather for the hike!
But after the holiday weekend I've realized that only in Fort Collins....
- Is it acceptable to have a brewery put on an all day city fest that everyone actually attends
- Can I ride my bike in the rain (and a dress!) and not get any second looks
- Am I motivated to just ride my bike grocery shopping and I dont even give it a second thought!
- Do they give out free I love biking stickers and pins : )
- Can you not see the mountains when it rains.
- I just can not seem to get this high altitude baking down : ( Thank God I dont have a husband to witness all of my screw ups.
- Does a train arrive in town everyday during rush hour, which just happens to be at the same time I leave my apartment if I want to be to class early. So actually I have to leave my apartment twice as early if I want to run any errands before class so that I have time to wait on the train or beat the train.
- Can I get a suntan from waiting on my bike for a train
- Will someone stop me mid-run and ask if 'Dutch Tennis' is a drinking game. Ha no, my Dutch Tennis shirt was just the mascot at my undergrad school and I was on the tennis team.....come on people dutch tennis is not a 'different type of beer pong'. Don't you know drinking games are not accepted in your town?! Great idea though, I'm working on a new game as we speak...it will be called Dutch Tennis, more details to come. And knowing me it will include tequila.
- Oh yeah, and only in Fort Collins do they pre-game for Halloween. Entertaining.
Happy Weekend! Enjoy!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Bad Drivers not welcome
Another week discovering the big town.
After an uneventful Friday and Saturday full of weekend class, I was ready to get out and do some exploring. On Sunday I went up into the foothills to do a little hiking/sightseeing. Much more to offer than I had originally thought, and beautiful views of the city. Oh plus I finally found the CSU stadium! Go Rams! Ha the mountains are right by it, making it a beautiful stadium. The students had 'paint the A white day on saturday' which is basically a huge 'A' in the foothills overlooking the stadium and town. There are three shifts and students go up and paint it every year. It stands for aggie because the school is a big agricultural/mining school. Of course I had weekend class so didnt participate, but they did a nice job!
After my mountain excursion it was time to check out the mall for a little bit. That thing may look small, but it actually has alot to offer. Very impressed with the stores and selection. Of course I couldn't leave without a good deal in hand, thank you American Eagle.
And I started at the lovely JCP this week. Yep, 5:30 AM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I am apparently now a part of the replenishment/stock team. Got a nice raise since it is a higher position along with a nice ugly red JCP polo to wear everyday to work at 5:30 AM. Yes, it has been an interesting week, but have had one job interview with another one to come. Things are looking promising that I wont be stuck there forever.
Well time for an adventurous weekend with my friend Anna!
But only in Fort Collins...
- Can B.O.B jump off the stage, crowd surf, and leave us all with the parting words 'don't drink and drive, smoke and fly' Insightful to a state where marijuana is basically legal.
- Is it okay to bring your dog shopping with you into JcPenney. Yep, I have seen it more than once. Interesting.
- Do they have a whole day set aside to celebrate bicycle riding. Tour de fat, this weekend people! Put on by none other than the New Belgium Brewery, producers of Fat Tire Beer
- Do they have a drive in bicycle theater. Yep, every Thursday at the New Belgium Brewery. Bring $2, your bike, and a blanket at Sundown and they get a movie going while you enjoy a nice beer.
- Oh yeah and is apparently home to the best drivers in America?! Yep, lowest town in the nation for accident rates according to Allstate. Their theory is no one is in a particular hurry because of all the beautiful sights around the area. Mine is: everyone rides their bikes. Wonder what the pedestrian accident rate is.
Happy labor Day weekend!
After an uneventful Friday and Saturday full of weekend class, I was ready to get out and do some exploring. On Sunday I went up into the foothills to do a little hiking/sightseeing. Much more to offer than I had originally thought, and beautiful views of the city. Oh plus I finally found the CSU stadium! Go Rams! Ha the mountains are right by it, making it a beautiful stadium. The students had 'paint the A white day on saturday' which is basically a huge 'A' in the foothills overlooking the stadium and town. There are three shifts and students go up and paint it every year. It stands for aggie because the school is a big agricultural/mining school. Of course I had weekend class so didnt participate, but they did a nice job!
After my mountain excursion it was time to check out the mall for a little bit. That thing may look small, but it actually has alot to offer. Very impressed with the stores and selection. Of course I couldn't leave without a good deal in hand, thank you American Eagle.
And I started at the lovely JCP this week. Yep, 5:30 AM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I am apparently now a part of the replenishment/stock team. Got a nice raise since it is a higher position along with a nice ugly red JCP polo to wear everyday to work at 5:30 AM. Yes, it has been an interesting week, but have had one job interview with another one to come. Things are looking promising that I wont be stuck there forever.
Well time for an adventurous weekend with my friend Anna!
But only in Fort Collins...
- Can B.O.B jump off the stage, crowd surf, and leave us all with the parting words 'don't drink and drive, smoke and fly' Insightful to a state where marijuana is basically legal.
- Is it okay to bring your dog shopping with you into JcPenney. Yep, I have seen it more than once. Interesting.
- Do they have a whole day set aside to celebrate bicycle riding. Tour de fat, this weekend people! Put on by none other than the New Belgium Brewery, producers of Fat Tire Beer
- Do they have a drive in bicycle theater. Yep, every Thursday at the New Belgium Brewery. Bring $2, your bike, and a blanket at Sundown and they get a movie going while you enjoy a nice beer.
- Oh yeah and is apparently home to the best drivers in America?! Yep, lowest town in the nation for accident rates according to Allstate. Their theory is no one is in a particular hurry because of all the beautiful sights around the area. Mine is: everyone rides their bikes. Wonder what the pedestrian accident rate is.
Happy labor Day weekend!
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