Today’s tidbit: “We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” ― Emily Dickinson

Hello September… new week, new month, new season! Although I refuse to accept summer is over yet, I love the feeling of a new month. Reflecting, moving forward and setting new goals. Time to wrap up August/10 day trip to Denver…

Last week I shared part 1, exploring the city + hiking. Continuing with Colorado, here is a taste of everything else from that visit… Allie & Brian’s new home, picnics + parks, evenings out, new restaurants + gluten free finds and 26th birthday celebrations.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

 

{Allie & Brian’s new neighborhood} They were both accepted into their chosen programs in Denver and after graduating med school bought a townhouse and started residency. Although I saw pictures, if was nice to get to see their new place and surrounding area. It is a beautiful neighborhood with an array of different style houses, townhouses and apartments. Along with shopping centers, gym, reading garden and lots of trails, they are also a short walk from Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

Their townhouse + lovely balcony. I enjoyed sitting outside most mornings while Allie was at the hospital, sipping on tea and doing work.

{Reading Garden} Loved this little spot Allie showed me along a walk. Most afternoons I’d go running around her neighborhood and then come here to cool down, and do some yoga. Such a peaceful garden in the middle of the neighborhood but tucked away. I loved all the quotes on the paths, walls, steps etc.

One of my favorite quotes.

 

{picnic + park} One of the first evenings I was there, after Allie got home from work, we picked up sandwiches (best gluten free bread!) from Olive & Finch and had a sunset picnic in the park. While I was in Western Australia, Chris and I had lots of picnics on the beach and Perth was full of parks. Denver has a ton of parks as well. Loved it! Picnics and parks just go together.

 

{birthday week + spa day} Allie surprised me with an early birthday present. We spent the the morning getting a facial and massage followed by creating custom foundation. It was a wonderful surprise and few hours getting pampered!

 

{evenings out + new restaurants} They haven’t been in Denver for very long and Allie had a list of new places to try (and I was the perfect excuse to go) so most days Allie was at work and then we’d spend the evenings downtown trying new restaurants. Lots of great gluten free finds.

Modmarket. 

Work & Class. Really neat place.

Heading into the city as a storm moved out and caught a beautiful rainbow (with the window down as Allie was driving).

Zengo. Last call happy hour + sushi.

Lala’s. Pizza, bubbly and wine kinda night.

 

{26th Birthday Celebrations} Really the whole trip was a big celebration but here’s some of the fun Allie & I had on our birthday.

Received this surprise delivery a few days (from AUS :)) before I left for Denver with a lovely card that said to start enjoying my birthday week a little early. The bouquet was so bright + colorful, and the roses were a unique red/peach.

Decorations. Allie had to work a few hours the morning of our birthday, so the night before I did some decorating in both our favorite colors… little surprise she’d wake up to.

As the day went on cards and deliveries came, filling the table and spoiling us.

Birthday lunch. We decided to pick up Olive & Finch one more time, since it was so good, and go to a new park for a picnic. The park was huge, and so beautiful. There was actually a concert going on so as we ate lunch surrounded by beautiful flowers we enjoyed some live music.

Birthday night out. Got dolled up and headed downtown for a delicious dinner followed by whiskey & bourbon tasting at one of Allie’s doctor friends. It was a wonderful night out. Poor Allie had to be at work by 6am the next day.

Root Down. Allie and I split this… Sweet potato falafel (lemon tahini yogurt, Israeli salad, sesame seeds & chili oil), sweet corn risotto (mushrooms, heirloom tomato salsa & kale pesto) and salmon with fennel, mustard greens, garlic scapes, pepitas & pistachio yogurt. YUM.

We made and decorated each others birthday dessert 🙂 Allie had a red velvet cake and I had gooood gluten free brownies.

 

{Last day in Denver} Enjoyed a yummy breakfast at Snooze with Allie and then wandered around downtown (pictures on last weeks blog post). After a wonderful 10 days in Denver with Allie and Brian, headed to the airport in the evening where I took off after a storm during sunset.

This was the first birthday in 6 years I didn’t celebrate with my (ex) boyfriend, and we haven’t talked in months. It was also the first year in many I wasn’t with Sammy or Bailey. Even after I sold Bailey, the last few years I still always went to ride or visit him on my birthday. This year was different. Remember my 25th birthday post? 25 was a hard year full of change and figuring out what I want. Without change you don’t grow though. I’ll save my reflection post till January, when I reflect on 2014.

I am so grateful for all my wonderful friends and family, lovely surprises and spending our birthday week together in Denver, with my twin and other half. Looking forward to seeing what 26 has in store!

Check back later this week as I continue with WA road trip posts.