Enjoy Breckenridge

Where it started

It starts with awesome friends. People around you who notice that it is your turn. People who care enough to make your world wonderful because you have made a difference in their world. A weekend involving kidnapping, goats and OMG surprises. It started in Breckenridge, Co and ended in Breckenridge, Co but some interesting things happened in between.

Meet my friends, Danielle and Heidi. We all live and work in Breckenridge, Colorado. One summer weekend, they decided, I needed to be kidnapped for some time off where I was free of making any decisions, planning and figuring it all out.

We started in Buena Vista a scenic hour and half drive away. With rivers friendly to rafting and kayaking, a cute historic downtown to explore, hot springs and my personal favorite - a goat farm which in addition to the chance to meet the goats, makes delicious artisan cheeses,

The Jumpin Good Goat Farm offers tours and an amazing cheese store with lots of samples. They have a great website for more info: http://www.jumpingoodgoats.com/

Goats here were hand bottled fed so they are as friendly as your average household pet. They are great with kids too. Did you know they only have teeth on their lower jaw so they can't bite?!

We definitely enjoyed all the samples of cheese.

My personal favorite - the garlic feta - great on salads with balsamic vinaigrette.

My homemade vinaigrette recipe - so simple! I usually double the recipe and keep it around for future use. Flavor continues to improve.

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, (Costco now offers organic)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (Paul Newman's is my fave)
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
1 teaspoon natural maple syrup
½ garlic clove
Freshly ground pepper
Blend with a small hand blender such as Braun, it emulsifies this way.

Have you heard of South Main yet?

We literally stumbled upon this new, sustainable, community centered, riverfront development. If a great porch brings a smile to your face, if there is a part of you that gets nostalgic about being a part of a community that makes you want share a cup of sugar with your nieghbor or you just plain like beautiful homes, South Main is a stop for you. http://www.southmainco.com/.

The Brew Pub was packed and after dining there I can see why. Natural and organic food, wood fired pizzas, and a beer for everyone's taste. Whether strolling into town like we did or kayaking in from the nearby river, it is worth a nosey. (That's Danielle's native Irish for having a look around.)

Our anticipated evening of stargazing, wine drinking and camping was rained out in a monsoon so we headed back to Breckenridge and set up camp in dryer more hospitable surroundings.

While stargazing was stymied by the weather, we managed to enjoy a glass of wine around our candle campfire. .

Look around at your friends and family members - do you know any recovering perfectionists, chronic givers, people you can always count on and otherwise all around great people to have in your life. Do them a big favor - take them away for a weekend designed especially for them, in appreciation of them. Everyone should have this gift at least once in their life. Thanks Danielle and Heidi!

Enjoy a spectaular mountain hike just minutes from Breckenridge. Mohawk Lakes Trail offers great views, historic mining cabins, waterfalls, mountain lakes, wildflowers and wildlife. There are 3 lakes accessible on this hike. The first is a smaller lake a about 5 minutes off the main trail called, Mayflower Lake. Heading on up the trail towards Lower Mohawk Lake you can't miss the waterfall with plenty of Columbines and other wildeflowers. Continue up and you will see an old cabin well preserved and in good working order. Original mining equipment offers a chance to reflect on the conditions and accomplishments of the old timers. Heading further up the trail you rrive at Lower Mohawk Lake. Remember to turn around and take in the views from the efforts of your climb. To get to Lower Mohawk Lake it takes about 1 1/2 hours with plenty of casual stops along the way. Lower Mohawk Lake is quite a bit larger than Mayflower Lake.

Upper Mohak Lake is another 45 minutes from Lower Mohawk Lake and worth the hike. It is a high alpine lake filled with Cutthroat Trout. The lake is about 10-15 acres, and with rock out croppings, a great place to stop, enjoy a snack and take in the views.

TIP: Take bug spray or all natural favorite Badger Balm http://www.badgerbalm.com/pc-21-2-anti-bug-balm.aspx which is available in Breckenridge at http://www.mtnoutfitters.com/

DIRECTIONS:

Trailhead: Drive south out of Breckenridge on U.S. 9. At about 2.4 miles from the last light as you leave Breckenridge you turn right on Spruce Creek Rd. and proceed for about 1.2 miles to a well marked parking area and trailhead.