An Airplane-Free Summer & Our Weekend in Crested Butte

This summer, my husband and I are taking a flying hiatus. Instead of plane trips to other states, we are “staycationing” and road tripping in our current state of Colorado (not a bad place to stay, I’ll admit). We love flying and we love trips to see our family in Arkansas, but at the end of a recent busy season of traveling, we were exhausted. So, as a form of rest, we decided not to step foot on an airplane for the entire summer.

This summer of staying here has proven many advantages:

1. More time with local friends
2. More time embracing & exploring our state (which is BEAUTIFUL in the summer)
3. We are saving money we would otherwise spend on airfare
4. More opportunities for hosting friends in Denver

This post is about our weekend road trip to one of my favorite towns ever: CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO.

The second weekend in July Heath and I went to Crested Butte for the weekend. I wanted to go because I have only ever been during ski season when the mountains are blanketed with snow. I grew up skiing every spring break in CB with my family. Heath wanted to go because I have told him so much about it and he has never been. Although CB is my family’s favorite ski destination, the town is also popular for their summer sports–hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and fishing. Additionally, they are known as the wildflower capital of the state. I have been so eager to see the wildflowers!

From Denver, the trip is a 4ish hour drive ^. On the Friday of our trip, Heath left work an hour or so early and we arrived around 8:30 pm (perfect timing because you do NOT want to arrive in this town when the sun is already down). The drive in is so breathtakingly beautiful! The town of Crested Butte is cozy and idyllic. They had a great deal of snow fall this year in CB so the rivers were high and the grass was lush green— it was so gorgeous! Our Airbnb was a B&B called Nordic Inn. It was so cute! The room was basic but they had free breakfast, the owners were incredibly sweet, and the inside common areas were gorgeous. It is also a very convenient location!

The Drive into Crested Butte ^

The poppies outside of our Inn

Nordic Inn Room

We just had Saturday and part of Sunday, so we did not have a ton of time for all the activities CB has to offer. This particular trip our priorities were hiking and seeing the wildflowers. The actual “wildflower festival” was going on but a lot of the events/ hikes etc. were paid events so we just decided to do our own (free) wildflower hikes. Saturday morning we started around 8 am and drove Gothic Road… THIS DRIVE WAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE WHOLE TRIP. The views of the mountains, the colors, the rivers and wildflowers were aaaaamazing. Check it out:

Our Jeep was happy here

View of the River

Wildflowers outside Rocky Mtn Biological Laboratory

We drove past the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory on Gothic Rd –which I never knew existed! They have students and scientists come stay there in the summer to study the local ecosystems and they also track the environment year round. One of the signs we read even said they study the wildflowers to learn more about human DNA!

The laboratory was started by Dr. John Johnson after he first visited the abandoned mining town of Gothic in 1919.  He started bringing students to study there because of the richness of the environment. He then founded the Laboratory in 1928.  Thousands of students and scientists have come since that time. “The ecosystems around Gothic are some of the most intensively studied in the world and thus RMBL is an internationally renowned center for scientific research and education.” Who knew?!

After driving through gothic, we arrived at the trailhead for Judd falls. Judd falls trail is an easy hike with the highlights being — the water fall (of course), aspens and wildflowers. It is an easy and short hike, we saw many kids on this trail. Judd falls was roaring, and it was cool to see! We could not get very close, but we still enjoyed it.

Judd Falls

Judd Falls +  Me  🙂

After that, we drove down to Meridian Lake trail to go to Long Lake. We chose the strenuous route to the lake which includes hiking up a ridge to get over to the lake, the easier route takes you around the ridge down a trail lined with aspen trees (would be beautiful in the fall). Once we were over the ridge, the lake was right in front of us -in between two ridges! It was beautiful but the water was really chilly! There were many people already swimming or standing in the water. And there was a rope swing on the other side that lots of people were swimming over to. I had to work up the courage to even get in the water because it was so cold! We just went for a short swim and will save the rope swing for next time! 😉

Long Lake!

That evening, Heath wrote some music and I worked on some blog things. Then we went to town to eat dinner! the night we arrived (Friday night) we ate at Ginger Cafe  (excellent Thai food) so Saturday evening we went to the Last Steep Bar & Grill. Both were very good! Ginger Cafe was my favorite out of the two though for overall vibe + food.

Sunday morning, we were planning on hiking to the peak but the lift was closed that would take us to the trail. So instead we went into the town of CB to get a cup of tea at the T bar and take some pictures. The T bar had so many fun and unique tea options. Some memorable menu items were Himalayan yak tea, golden milk latte (turmeric and milk), all kinds of matcha lattes, and herbal coffee ( a mixture of dandelion root and some other things). I tried the herbal coffee Saturday night and matcha latte on Sunday morning (with almond milk)– it was great! We walked the town and took pictures of the charming and colorful houses. There were poppies in front of so many of the houses, I loved all the color!

Oh Be Gleeful

Happy Front Porch

Church Steeple

We decided we did not have time for another hike.  I had been eyeing a paved bike path that goes from Mt. Crested Butte to the town of Crested Butte, so I asked Heath to drop me off at the trail. He checked our things out of the hotel and I went on the most beautiful morning run.  It was a perfect 30ish minute run from the Mt. to the town! We met down at the town and went to the farmers market (it was so crowded!). The only thing I bought at the market was a cordyceps & cocao chai from Rooted Apothecary. They had such interesting products that I had to choose something to try. The chai was a powdered drink that you pour hot water in, let steep for 15 minutes and then strain. It is full of good for you ingredients, and super yummy chai flavors.

Literally the most beautiful run I have ever been on

We had a wonderful time in CB but we definitely need to go back when we have more time to spend. WHO WANTS TO COME BACK WITH US? July is an incredible time to go (so many amazing flowers and colors). Our next trip, we want to try fly fishing, stand up paddle boarding on one of the rivers, maybe some (easy) mountain biking, and trail running!  We also really want to go to a church there called Oh-Be-Joyful Church! I can not wait to return to this paradise mountain town.

A Happy Happy Wildflower

Bonus Tip:  if you ever go to Crested Butte, do us a favor and go through Buena Vista,  eat at EDDYLINE RESTAURANT (hint: mountain burger) and stop at STEDMANS for gas + sodas + fudge. For more on Crested Butte be sure and check out their website – Travel Crested Butte.

Although we miss our family and friends in Arkansas, this summer of staying in Denver and exploring our state has been such a blessing! We are eager to see my family when they come in the fall, Heath’s family when our niece is born, and travel to Arkansas to celebrate Christmas. We miss them a lot and have many times of homesickness but we believe God has called us to be here in Denver. As we grow to know the people, the city of Denver, and the beauty of Colorado more, we grow more in love and at peace with where He has called us for this season. Although beauty may be easy to find in the state we are in, I believe there is beauty waiting for you as well in the people and the places where God has called you in your season, wherever on the map that may be!

Have you ever taken time to “stay” when everyone else is traveling? What have been some of your favorite weekend trips in your state?