Mountains – …on the B.L.

Hot Air Balloon Rodeo

August 17, 2018September 8, 2019 RaeAnna

I was very sad because I thought I had missed the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo. With the help of Google, I did a little researching to find out I had, in fact, not missed it because it was being held on both Saturday and Sunday. I guarantee you this is one of two reasons I will get excited about getting up at 4:30 in the morning. Hot air balloons or travel. In this case, I was getting up for both, technically.

I set my alarm for 4:30 on a Sunday morning. Somehow, I managed to get out of bed, put my hair in a messy bun, throw clothes on my body, wake up my Partner-in-Crime, and convince him to get out of bed. I did it. We, in various degrees of sleepy-grumpiness, found our way down the mountain to the shuttle. Everyone was shuttled to the launch site on Steamboat Springs’ buses. They were all very lovely and almost too chipper for a Sunday morning at the butt-crack of dawn. It was a five-ish minute bus ride to the lake, where the hot air balloons would be launched.

I can’t really describe how amazing the view was. At the bottom of a mountain is the lake. On one side of the lake, all the balloons and vendor tents were set up. It was cold. Well, not cold. It was chilly for a mid-July morning. I was in jeans and flannel. I found coffee and donuts because I needed sustenance and something to keep my hands warm. The grass was wet. My feet were a bit numb after a whole thirty seconds.

We trudged around to the far side of the lake. It was less crowded, and I could watch the balloons from a distance. The lake was so perfectly still. The sky, clouds, mountains, and balloons reflected off the lake’s surface. It was absolutely amazing. I took so many pictures. Well over a thousand. I can’t really describe how amazing it truly is.

The Hot Air Balloon Rodeo is an annual tradition in Steamboat. People come from all over to participate and watch the spectacle. The hot air balloons launch between 6:00 and 9:00 in the morning. If you get there early, you can chat with the captains, pilots, I don’t know what they’re called. One of the local organizations sets up a stand with donuts, coffee, and breakfast burritos. When the balloons launch, they try to dip their baskets into the water. It’s fun and, I’m sure, harder than it looks. Unfortunately, it creates ripples in the water causing the reflections to be less crisp. Oh well. There are tons and tons of balloons of all colors and sizes. There’s a “tiny” balloon, and the pilot(?) doesn’t even have a basket; he just straps himself into a chair dangling from the balloon. I love the colorful ones. Remax had a balloon present. There were even some balloons with murals including clowns, creepy, and a western motif.

I love balloons. As a little girl visiting my grandparents’ condo in Colorado, the balloons would come over the mountains sometimes. They were incredible. I have always, always loved them. I get giddy about balloons. This was an absolute wonderful experience. I would love to keep going back for it.

Experiences, Travel

Hiking Mount Werner

August 1, 2018September 8, 2019 RaeAnna

I grew up going to Steamboat Springs, Colorado because my grandparents own a condo on the mountain. In the three decades I have been visiting, the town has changed drastically, but Mount Werner has stayed the same. I hear mountains don’t change very quickly.

My family is very outdoorsy. I, myself, have waffled between outdoorsy and hermit. The last time I was in Steamboat with my family, my allergies were at an all time high, and I was suffering from an undiagnosed heart condition. Suffice to say, that trip earned me a non-adventurous-curmudgeon award within the family unit. (Also, during that trip I ended up in the hospital on a completely unrelated thing, so I wasn’t feeling real great.)

This trip was completely different!

I am now older and more mature… I also am completely aware of my physical impairments, so hiking is no longer viewed as the soul sucking activity it used to be.

The second full day in Colorado, I convinced my partner-in-crime into a hike up the mountain by way of small lies and a lot of “It will be an adventure!” and “You can do anything! You’re a Marine!”

Here’s some back story: My grandparents’ condo is located on the mountain. You walk out the back door, and voilà there’s the hiking trail. There is a gondola that will take you up the mountain for a small price of $25 per person per day. I’m a big ole cheapo. I like spending money, but I much prefer saving money. Why spend $50, when we can just hike? Exercise and savings! Plus it’s free to ride the gondola down the mountain. From the gondola drop off point, it’s another 1.5 miles to the peak of the mountain. The views are stunning, by the way.

We started our hike at 10:30 am with an expected arrival time of 1:30. The last gondola down the mountain is at 4:30. So there would be plenty of time to hike up to the peak and back down. I would convince my P.I.C. of how good of an idea this was on the first leg of our hike. Our four mile hike to the gondola ended up being seven miles because of a wrong turn. We managed to find a bike path that lead us the last half mile. My P.I.C. carried the backpack full of camera equipment, and I hauled a heavy backpack full of water bottles and a book. I’m a book blogger; a book is always necessary.

Altitude really is a kick in the ass.

We made it to the gondola drop off point at 2:00. Two realizations dawned on us: 1. Look at all the people! 2. Dark clouds.

As we made our way up the mountain, we passed several people hiking down the mountain. We saw one biker going up the mountain, but he turned around at the two mile mark. I don’t blame him; he’s a winner in my book. All the people were at the top of the mountain. They were in hiking clothes, but not the sweaty, gross, wheezing blobs of former human beings my P.I.C. and I were. These athletic appearing beings were walking around with cute hair and makeup, taking pictures, and saying things along the lines of “So beautiful!” “What a hike.” and “This is going to look great on Instagram.” A few started on the trail down the mountain (cheaters). Most hopped back on the gondola they so obviously rode up on. LIARS!!! All of them liars. They did not earn those social media posts because they cheated and spent the money to ride the gondola. We were the real hikers! We earned the pictures we were never able to take because……

At 2:00, we still had time to hike to the peak. BUT!!! As the trees started to open up into the clearing, I saw the dark clouds. On top of a mountain, dark clouds are never a good thing for hikers. Storms roll in with frightening rapidity over the mountains. Being caught in a storm on a mountain let alone at the peak is not only scary but down right dangerous. We decided to stop to refill our water bottles and grab a snack. I have been in the unfortunate desperate sprint from peak to gondola because of a storm before. It was not a position I desired to be in again, but I was hopeful the clouds would roll pass.

Mount Werner is a skiing mountain in the winter. In the summer, it is a biking and hiking haven. Where the gondola is housed on top of the mountain, there is a bar and restaurant for those wanting to eat with views. There’s an indoor area and a large patio. It’s not cheap, but it is pretty. As I ordered my french fries, the bartender said, “Do you have anywhere to be in the next several hours?” I replied, “I’m on top of a mountain, so probably not.” “Well, that’s good because they just shut down the gondola without warning due to lightning. You could maybe make it if you ran.” I’m not a runner, so I made myself comfortable waiting for my fries.

I took literally a handful of pictures waiting for my fries and sandwich. Thank goodness I did. Right after our food arrived, I felt a thud on my head. Hello hail! We quickly stuffed all our belongings and the very expensive camera away before running inside. It was official, the gondola would not be starting back up. A bus started its way up the mountain to pick up everyone who didn’t make it onto the gondola.

I have to tell you, almost nothing about that day went as planned. It was definitely an adventure. I really loved seeing the storm come in over the mountain. The sky was dark. There was lightning and thunder and hail and a ton of rain. It was an afternoon I will never forget.

Travel, Travel Eats

Bésame

July 30, 2018 RaeAnna

I hadn’t been to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in nine years. Almost exactly. The first full day in town, I wanted to walk around and scout out all the new stuff. I walked passed Bésame, smelled what was wafting out the door, stopped to look at the menu, and I knew I would be back before long.

Fast forward a couple days.

The decor is fabulous. At the bar, there are blue velvet chairs. Equal parts comfy and luxurious. There are floor to ceiling windows looking onto downtown, which open up during service to let in the fresh mountain air. There is a small patio with four tables. Succulents adorn each table. The dining area is beautiful decorated with dark wood. An upstairs has extra seating for parties or the busy season. Spanish music plays in the background. (I danced on my way in and out.)

These photos are taken from two different trips to Bésame. I was too full for dessert the first time; I had to go back in order to try their kickass desserts. The first time we sat on the patio, and the second time we sat at the bar. There’s just the right amount of shade to make it fabulous.

The service was impeccable. Hayzen was our server and the bartender both times. Being a non-drinker who still likes unique, fancy drinks is not always easy for bartenders. He is my new favorite, so if I come into a pile of money and have an event, I will hire him immediately. I had a virgin peach mojito (fantastic) and then a virgin spicy, sweet passion fruit margarita. Seriously, amazing. Not only is he a talented tender of bars, he is incredibly personable, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the restaurant.

The food was fantastic. There is a smatter of South American and Spanish dishes. I saw Patatas Bravas on the menu and, duh, had to order it. Then I ordered the Tostada de Vieja Ropa. I dated a Cuban for a bit in college, and he introduced me to Vieja Ropa, which is now one of my favorite foods. I have high standards and Bésame met them. What I loved about the dish: it was served on a sweet plantain disk. Believe me, it’s awesome! The kitchen accidentally made an extra order of their special of the day, which was a chorizo tostada with a small green salad. Hayzen – being the fabulous man he is – sent it our way. He jokingly said “Just leave a good review!” Little did he know, I was already geared up to write this phenomenal review. I should probably go post on yelp too…. Anyways! The chorizo was awesome. I don’t love refried beans because they usually have an au de tin can after taste. Not these! Yum. The table next to mine wanted me to let you all know the ceviche was the best they’d ever had. I am inclined to believe them because they were older with what seems like a good handful of money by their dress and jewelry. Anyways, the ceviche is always changing depending on the fresh fish market, and that day it was made with salmon.

For dessert on the very last day in Steamboat Springs, I enjoyed the Kaffir Lime Churros and the Banana Bowl. Hayzen said the Kaffir Lime Churros have a slight fruit loop taste because of the unique flavor combination. He is not wrong. It’s not in an intense fruit loop flavor, and it definitely does not have the refined sugar throat coating quality. It’s served with frozen wine grapes and a Mexican hot chocolate dipping sauce. The Banana Bowl came highly recommended, and I will recommend it to you. So good! I can’t even describe it to you in any other words than heavenly.

So the reason the food is so delectable is because everything on the plate is made in house. It’s hard to beat fresh ingredients. It’s even harder to beat food made in house. You can taste the difference in the tortillas and plantains and especially in the refried beans. Pickled onions are amazing when they are freshly pickled. I love that sweet crunch they added to the Vieja Ropa!

I went to Bésame for lunch because we were trying to keep vacation costs low by cooking dinner at home, and lunch tends to be cheaper for equally great food. (Pro tip: go out for lunch on the weekends, you’ll save a bunch!) Anyways, it is definitely more expensive than McDonald’s, but it is affordable and a really wonderful experience. I would like to go back and enjoy dinner; the menu is bigger and looks delightful.

If you’re ever in Steamboat, this is the place you need to go to!

Bésame
818 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970.761.2561
Instagram – @besamesteamboat
Facebook – Besame Steamboat