Breckenridge – A Quick Getaway

Colorado is ideal for quick weekend getaways. Recently, my friends and I decided to go explore Breckenridge in the high country. Anyone living in Colorado, knows the unpredictability of April snow in Colorado. We were on tenterhooks right up until a few days before going, fearing we might have to cancel our reservations last minute due to bad weather. However, we lucked out with the most perfect spring weather. It was dry, sunny and mild. The drive to the mountains was both scenic and serene.

Right as you cross Genesee and Lookout Mountain, the vista opens up to reveal a gorgeous view of the snowcapped peaks ahead. The road beckons and despite the music blasting, good company for chit chatting, and the wide array of munchable snacks we had on hand, it was hard not to be mesmerized by Nature’s good looks!

First Stop – Georgetown Lake

Since we were in between the ski and summer seasons ( Breckenridge calls it the MUD season), there wasn’t much traffic to contend with on I-70. We made our first stop at the Georgetown Lake, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Denver. This small lake, with its glistening waters, almost hugs the highway, and is hard to miss. In winters, when the lake freezes over, people drive their cars over it and do wheelies. The evergreens behind reflected perfectly in the lake as people fished on the edges or in boats. Bighorn sheep are known to come down all the way to the water, and we were greeted by a herd as we exited onto the highway. Even though, this was the perfect picnic spot (amenities include restrooms), we decided to head further down to Silverthorne for lunch.

Shopping or Nature? Both!

Silverthorne boasts Outlet shopping in the backdrop of Colorado’s highest peaks. A river snakes its way through town, and while you will find many tourists shopping their hearts away at great deals, others will enjoy fly fishing in the narrower parts of the river, a stone’s throw away from the Mall. Thus, while my friends shopped, I took some time to explore the water’s edge and take pictures to my heart’s content of Breckenridge’s looming peaks ahead.

Lunch

It was lunch time by the time their shopping was complete, so my friend suggested a place she had tried before – The Red Mountain Grill. When you walk in, you are greeted by very interesting antiquities and architecture. There is a myriad of bronze-metallic, galactic-themed lighting fixtures gracing the tall ceilings. The décor is eclectic, with adobe shaped inserts, wall murals, baskets and masks adorning the walls. The bathroom had the most gigantic sink and huge faces atop the toilets that reminded me of Easter Island statues. Nevertheless, it adds to the quirky décor.

Their menu is as diverse as their décor, ranging from Mexican to American. As for the food, I ordered an appetizer since I was still full from a heavy breakfast. The chicken -satay skewers were a bit of a disappointment. They were pretty meagre for the price. $10.95 got you three bite-sized skewers. However, my friends made better choices with their green-chile burgers and fish tacos.

Lake Dillon

A few miles from the Outlets, lies Lake Dillion. This is a massive fresh water reservoir that lies on 2000 acres of Dillon State Park, and is surrounded by green-clad mountains and picturesque views all around. Most of Denver’s water supply is dependent on Lake Dillon. Whether you are camping on site, boating or just stopping by for a little while, you cannot help but admire its breathtaking beauty. Partially frozen, it provided the perfect backdrop for the multitude of pictures we took there. Since Lake Dillon borders Frisco, if you have time, you should also check out The Frisco Adventure Park which offers multi-lane tubing in addition to other cool activities you can do year-round.

More shopping

As you continue on Highway 9, stay right to merge on Park Lane and you will be greeted by Breckenridge. The Historic Main St. has lots of interesting shops. One particular hat shop, The Breckenridge Hat Company, carried a wide range of cowboy, athletic and funny hats. They were very patient with us trying on different looks and laughing (ours hats off) in the process! If you are in the neighborhood, do check them out.

Lodging

Since Main St. was a stone’s throw away from our hotel Residence Inn, we decided to check in first and then head out. Residence Inn is a new addition to the lodging in Breckenridge. The front desk staff was extra helpful, and because of Azfar’s Platinum status, I was able to upgrade our room to a two bedroom, two bath suite! Very convenient, if not essential, when you have four women under one roof! The rooms were impeccable and the Master boasted a King bed with a grand, standing shower in the attached bathroom. The other room had two queens, and the connecting living room was perfect for gathering up in front of a flat screen TV. We made full use of this at night, as we huddled together watching The Conjuring on Netflix!! I must say our neighbors were very patient despite our loud screams through the movie, and the late-night laughter from conversations only friends can evoke!

When it comes to ‘desi women’ , the first order of business is always tea. The room had a working kitchen with stove, fridge, microwave and all the crockery/cutlery needed to prepare meals. We had decided to eat out, but grabbed a quick cup of tea, as we sat around enjoying the view of the mountains from our rooms.

Dinner

Main Street’s plethora of shops, gave the four of us a good excuse, to work up an appetite. We browsed art galleries and souvenir shops, and made our way to the Riverwalk. Its quaint bridges and rounded boulders sitting in the freshly melted snowy river, provided the ideal opportunity for a friends’ photoshoot.

But it was not long before our hunger pangs led us to Bangkok Happy Bowl Thai Bistro. It came highly recommended by my friend, and it did not disappoint. My Drunken Noodles hit the spot perfectly. Do be advised that when they ask you for the spiciness level, they are not kidding around. Even my second level of spiciness was a bit on the strong side. I’m not sure who can really handle the fourth level? Probably, some devilish soul! If you are not in the mood for Thai, you can also grab pizza from Extreme Pizza, or even dessert from Crepes A La Carte. For more options, click here. 

Historic Main St.

A Short Hike

Our second day in Breckenridge started with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. Eggs, waffles, fresh fruit, and strong coffee later, we were ready to head out for a short hike. We navigated to Cucumber Gulch. IMaps took us to a cemetary, the irony of which was not lost after the previous night’s viewing of the horror flick Conjuring! Cemetary Road did seem like an interesting place to explore, but I was outnumbered by the vehement shrieks from my fellow travelers, who kept reminding me that all horror flicks start with four friends getting lost in a forest. We finally managed to find the correct entrance to the gulch (It lies behind the Nordic Cross Country Ski Center). However, it was closed due to mud and ice. We were guided instead to a bike path right next to the river. The easiest way to access it is by the City Market Gas station. There is also a bike rental place there. We preferred to walk, stopping along the way to marvel at the landscape and take lots of pictures.

Until next time…

Our short rendezvous with Breckenridge was almost at an end. We checked out at noon, and headed back to Denver, stopping in Silverthorne for some more shopping. By now, you can guess what I chose to do instead 😊 Sipping my Starbucks frappe by a babbling brook, soaking in the golden sun, and thanking God for His many blessings, which includes having a hubby generous enough to watch the kids while I could do a quick getaway with my friends!

For other Colorado getaways, check out my blog on Glenwood Springs. Share some of your favorite travel experiences in the comments below!