Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Big Mountains, Big Eats
Hi 
I hope you’ve all had a great weekend! Mine has been an absolutely nonstop and a BLAST, but it’s also been packed to the max. At the end of each and every day, I have felt worn out to the bone. Not that I’m complaining. Let me tell you why!
Friday morning after I finished up training, I headed straight over to Lauren’s house to meet her and her friend Brie to head out west.
I’d never out on I-70 west into the mountains, and was so excited to see the views in person that I’d only seen in pictures before. Our destinations were Loveland Pass, Breckinridge, and Frisco. I was not at all prepared for the beauty we experienced on this trip.
The entire drive out I was in awe. Then we kept escalating and escalating, and by the time we reached Loveland Pass, we were at 11,990 feet.
And then we started hiking. Haha. I’d never hiked above 12,000 feet before, and man did I feel it! We were hiking up a pretty steep incline, but I felt my heart rate increase after every few steps. That, and the crazy winds made it challenging. But the views were so worth it.
Lauren played Rocky Mountain High, and we all did a little yoga because…why not?
Unfortunately, the path was still pretty snowy, so we couldn’t get to the top, but we hiked for about 30 good minutes. Once we scrambled back to the bottom, hopped back in the car, and headed to Breckenridge and Frisco for a little lunch and shopping.
turkey + pepperjack
magic bar + brownie
When we got back home, I was supposed to meet a couple friends for dinner, but I was 100% wiped. I hopped in the shower a little after 7:00, put on jammies, and then Shane and I ordered take out pizza:
And then I slept a glorious 8 hours, and started it all over again! Boot camp—>hike—>shopping—>farmer’s market:
Farmer’s market goodies included lunch, sauerkraut, and farm fresh eggs! And on the hike, we almost stepped right on a really big snake. Blech! I still get the heeby jeebies when I think about it.
From there, Shane and I relaxed a little, and then met Lauren, Brie, and Greg at Lefthand for a few flights of beer.
They were on a brewery tour, and around our neck of the woods, so we popped over to enjoy some suds on the hot, sunny afternoon.
I spent the rest of Saturday pretty lazily, napping – or trying to nap – until we headed out around 8:00 to enjoy some margaritas with friends on the deck.
It was a perfect night for margs – warm with a little breeze. I hadn’t had a good margarita in a while, and Jamie makes THE best. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Sunday I woke up feeling the effects, so I took Niko for a walk for some fresh air before church. Sunday was another big day – Eat Denver
Shane and I met up again with Lauren, Brie, and Greg (it’s a good thing we kinda like ‘em 
) to head down to Denver and eat our faces off. Seriously.
So.much.friggin’.food.
The event was held in a huge lot, where there were more than 40 (I think?) restaurants set up with tent. We made it our mission to try every single one. We definitely got our money’s worth haha
The group – Heather and Kirk joined us, too! 
(photo credit to Lauren)
For the third day in a row, I came home feeling utterly beat. Taking a shower made me feel 75% better, and then Shane and I rallied for another deck night at our friend’s house. They were all cooking out, but I seriously couldn’t even think about food for like…8 hours after the festival. And then one of our friends made an ice cream with fresh berries dessert, and suddenly my hunger returned haha But seriously – such a simple dessert, yet so delicious. I’m sad I didn’t get a picture because it was so prettily plated, too! We headed home early a little after 10:00, since I had an 8:00 client to train yesterday morning.
I had planned on taking Monday as a serious relax and catch up day. But then at the deck party the night before, my friends and I got to talk hiking, which always gets me going. As soon as my friend, Katie asked if I wanted to go, I was game – especially because we planned on going somewhere new!
Brainard Lake!
Unfortunately it was still pretty snowy up at 11,000 feet, so the only way to hike on the trail was by snow shoe. After trying anyway – and sinking in our NON water proof shoes – we decided to just walk the 2.5 miles around on the road to the lake. It’s not what we expected, but the views were still so dang gorgeous.
We kept saying “OH, wow” with every turn. I think we walked a little over 5 miles altogether, had fun chatting and looking at the views.
Once we got back home, I finally got on a productive streak – finishing clients’ plans, emailing clients, getting ready for a new boot camp, and cooking dinner:
Taco night! I had mine a la taco salad, since we only had 4 hard shells left (which is one less than Shane normally eats) and just sprinkled on crunched up tortilla chips for some crunch.
And that, my friends, was one heck of a weekend. There’s so much to do here that I’m always packing everything in on the weekend. It leads to one exhausted Paige come the end of the weekend, but loads of memories I wouldn’t trade for anything 
Now it’s back to the grind. I’ve got a long day today, starting with a core class to teach in a few minutes here. See ya!
Tell me! What was the most fun thing you did this weekend?
My weekends always seem like complete and utter laziness compared to yours! I had my first proper English afternoon tea at the most famous tennis club in England and then I walked around Notting Hill and did some shopping. It was sunny and warm here for the first time all month so we took advantage!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…Metabolic damage: Part two
jealous beyond words.. gah.. but also so so happy to see my blends together! good eatin girl!
Sounds like an amazing weekend! So this might be a dumb question, but if it’s snowing on top of the mountain, it’s still warm at the bottom? I see you’re wearing a tank top.
Lee recently posted…Exploring Mason Mill Park
OH
MY
GOSH that is so one heck of a weekend.
**living vicariously**
Miz recently posted…My broken window.
LOVE the backbend pic!!!
What an awesome weekend!! While super relaxing weekends are nice from time to time, nothing beats super fun weekends filled with friends and fun!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Lesson Learned
I’m with Lindsay.. I”m jealous. 😛 You girls are way too fun. That day of eats looks to die for! I remember I loved every meal I ate in Denver/Boulder.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Memorial Day Weekend
Wow! I’m a little tired just reading about your weekend. It sounds great. Hiking in Colorado must be so amazing! It’s so beautiful. Isn’t it funny how, even though you’re in shape some altitude can almost kill you?
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted…Gyro Spiced Seitan and Quinoa Bowl. #Vegan Recipe
Yay! You ventured into the mountains! Isn’t Loveland Pass gorgeous!?
Heidi Nicole recently posted…It’s a long weekend…
I’m so jealous of all of your hiking adventures! One day, I’ll live somewhere with mountains…Maybe…Hopefully ;).
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Ten Snacks + My Evil Plan
It sounds like a perfect mountain weekend! John and I hàve been in Colorado all weekend, and we’re having a blast. We were in the Frisco area yesterday and I couldn’t believe how much snow was left. Oh, and I can’t tell you how many times we’ve played Rocky Mountain High 🙂
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Bear Bottoms
Looks like an incredibly fun weekend! Love all those mountains. 🙂
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted…Friday’s Five: Food Must-Haves When Traveling
Oh wow such a busy and exciting weekend!! I would love to hike as much as you do! Unfortunately, PA doesn’t have too many good locations for that! Haha I can’t believe you needed snow shoes to climb the one mountain! Craziness!!
Heather @fitncookies recently posted…Finally found some! and a (new) workout
Looks like an awesome weekend!! We went hiking on the AT on Friday, and it was awesome!!
Catherine @ A Two Storey Home recently posted…Cape Charles (Memorial Day Weekend)
You were a hiking fiend this weekend! I love it. My weekend consisted of standing around listening to music. It wasn’t hard work, but it was tiring!
Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt recently posted…Weekend Recap: Boston Calling Music Festival!
I love your weekends! Mine was pretty similar, lots of business and exhaustion, but all worth it! I’d say the most fun was either the epic Indian brunch I had Sunday or playing golf afterward. Just a great day!
So glad you had a great weekend!
Kacy recently posted…Eatin’ & Drinkin’ – Standard
That sounds like an amazing weekend. I love when mine are packed and I get home feeling beat — but great.
Lindsay recently posted…MRI = the tunnel of death.
Wow! Beautiful views and lots of delicious eats! We had a great weekend with family celebrating my brother’s high school graduation. Lots of good food and great laughs were had!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…A Relaxing Memorial Day
I can’t wait for our next trip out west with the boys! Hopefully the now will be melted enough to go all the way to the top! I’m glad you got a photo of that magical cookie bar (I’m going to borrow it!).
I ended up getting hungry again around 8:00 Sunday and had dinner then. I definitely wouldn’t have turned ice cream and berries down, either!
That hike on Monday sounds awesome- I’ll have to check that out (Greg already looked it up of course…).
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted…Bolder Boulder 10k
Holy busy weekend! Glad you were able to fully enjoy it – I was at an academic conference all weekend, which is more fun than it sounds!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…A Lifetime of Gaming + Salad Week.
Whew I am wiped just reading about your weekend, it sounds like loads of fun though!
Looks like an amazing weekend and such breathtaking scenery. Perfection
BTW, I love the bags that you and Lauren have been toting lately! One of your fun shopping finds I assume?… 😉
They were! The brand is called Flipped Bird (they’re reversible:))
You’re killing me! What an amazing weekend! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Colorado. Your smile really makes me happy! I hope you’re enjoying a short week!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Tabata Tuesday and Travel Talk
Sounds like a FABULOUS weekend!!!!