Crushing on Colorado

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Luxury Retreats.

One of my biggest regrets during our 15-month RV odyssey was not spending more time in Colorado. Truth be told, they are way under-developed when it comes to RV parks, so we sort of “skipped it.” We spent a week in Grand Junction and one in Fort Collins and that was pretty much it. Now that I am back to the real world and thinking about real vacations, I've got my eye on Colorado. I've been wanting to go on a retreat and I can't think of anything dreamier than a cabin. Those cabin rentals in Colorado are calling my name!

I've made it no secret that I'm an introvert. I know. If you've met me, it sounds crazy. I'm very outgoing and personable in real life, but after being “on” I need quiet time. Also, once I've settled into a spot, it's hard to get me out. Just ask Mr. Misadventures!

A few times a year I do get my way and we head out to a luxurious location somewhere in the world and do absolutely nothing! We gravitate to either someplace tropical and someplace cold. More times than not cold. To me, there is nothing better than inclement weather outside when all you want to do is snuggle up with a book inside.

Now I'm not saying that Colorado is nothing but bad weather, in fact, it has four fabulous seasons that produce an incredible palette of natural colors. Heck, that's the reason behind its moniker, Colorful Colorado.

But Colorado has a nice long winter and no shortage of hotels, lodges, and cabins to take shelter in when all you want to do is get out from the cold.

While I can appreciate Colorful Colorado, the only colorful view from my window that I want to see is this.

Someone else doing something while I stay inside in front of the fire and do nothing!

In reality, Mr. Misadventures is usually hanging out with me so in order to prevent him from going stir crazy, I will do some sort of activity every 2-to-3 days. Colorado in the winter? That is easy to do. You have the ski resorts Breckenridge, Vail, Aspin, Telluride, Steamboat Springs – they're epic. You've got snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. After a day doing any one of those, the hubby is ready to “relax” a day or two with me enjoying hot cocoa and a crime novel.

But now that I've zeroed in on Steamboat Springs and the Senator's Penthouse for my cabin retreat, I'm focused on what I can do there. Steamboat Springs is an authentic western ski town with a great local vibe, yummy-sounding restaurants, and hot springs! Plus spots to call home, even if only temporarily. Come on, you know you want to join me for the sunset with a glass of wine on this deck!

Well, you can't. Remember. I'm going on retreat!

Given just about the only thing I do want to venture out for on my self-imposed retreat is food, it looks like I have great options with highly rated Laundry, Aurum Food & Wine, Salt & Lime, and one I can hardly wait to try – Low Country Kitchen serving buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue lamb shoulder and an most amazing shrimp and grits.

Come to mama!

The avid traveler in me knows that Colorado has so much more to offer, although this is a pretty darn good start. And once I've stuck my head out of the proverbial sand (or in this case snow) there is a lot more of this state that I want to visit. I think anyone from the West would be hard-pressed to choose autumn in New England over autumn in Colorado. It would actually be my favorite time of year to visit Colorado given that my favorite tree is the Aspen.

I got to see Aspen in Wyoming and in Montana, but I have yet to see them in Colorado. They are so delicate and beautiful. They make for great photos, one that has alluded Mr. Misadventures. I have no doubt we will be making a trip to Colorado in the fall in the very near future.

It's that's probably the best time to visit Colorado's parks, in particular, Estes Park at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park. It's one of the most popular national parks, beloved for its rugged landscapes including spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain range. There are small permanent glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, ancient trails, game drives, and cattle ranches. But the biggest attraction to me is the great number of moose. I've only seen 2 while visiting Grand Teton National Park and I definitely did not get my fill!

There is an abundance of national parks, monuments and historical trails in Colorado, my favorite being Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It was so different from every place else we visited. It has some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rocks, and craggiest spires in North America and we only saw a tiny piece. Another reason to go back to Colorado!

I'm a huge fan of national parks, but there are many state and regional parks worthy of your visit.

And don't get me started on summer. Remember all those ski resorts? Well, they are just as spectacular green as they are white! Plus you've got some pretty awesome lakes, rivers, springs, and reservoirs for boating, canoeing, water skiing and swimming. Personally, I like to hike around them, picnic beside them and wake-up looking at them. Oh and one more thing, watching people catch trout out of them. As long as they end up in my belly!

You see? It always comes back to food! Now, where was I?

Ah yes, Colorado.

I'm due for a retreat. Our last one was last May in Kauai when my only worries were novels and poke shacks. This time I've got my eye on a cold weather retreat in Colorado. Who's with me? Not with me, with me. Because like I said, it's a retreat, but who thinks it's a good idea?!

How about you? Do you fill the need to escape and do nothing? Do you want to escape to someplace hot or cold? Do you fancy Colorado? Have you been and loved it? Do you have a food memory for there? Do tell!

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