Colorado road trip

This past week, I had the opportunity to drive to Boulder, Colorado with one of my best friends since 5^th grade, Jessie. As a lover of road trips, traveling and time with friends, what better way to spend the week before I start work?

Jessie and I took off Monday morning and had one of the most fun car rides I’ve been on in awhile. Every stop we made felt adventurous and exciting, and had nice bathrooms! The gas mileage in Jessie’s Subaru got us 365 miles to the tank, so we only needed to stop a few times on the 1,000 mile Chicago to Colorado trip.

Part of the journey was similar to my drive back from Kansas City to Chicago, so it was nice to be familiar with the drive. Our first stop was the World’s Largest Truck Stop in the middle of Iowa. Besides truck paraphernalia, this place was unique because there are signs all around it that describe the “world’s largest” of other things. For example, did you know the world’s largest lollipop weighed 4,016 pounds? I sure didn’t.

World's Largest Truck Stop on Highway 80 in Iowa

About 30 miles later, we ate lunch at University of Iowa in Iowa City. We tried to shoot for local places that spoke to the city we were in, and the sandwich restaurant resembled a lot of Boulder restaurants with organic, local vegetables. Driving through Iowa flew by since Jessie and I had a lot to catch up about, so sooner than we knew it we crossed into Nebraska and arrived in Omaha. Barely beating its post-work traffic, we got out and stopped for dinner in Lincoln and explored University of Nebraska’s campus.

On the patio at Bread and Cup in Lincoln, Nebraska

Its football field was HUGE and we even got inside to check out the athletes’ lounge and signage. As a campus, it looked rather industrial and even had class buildings under the stadium, so it was cool to see how another college does it. The downtown was definitely smaller, but had a ton of local restaurants, pubs and buildings so we tasted an awesome banana chocolate toffee pretzel ice cream at an ice cream shop called Ivanna Cone. Like true road trippers, we used the AAA travel book to find a hotel and stopping point for the night in Kearney, Nebraska—leaving us less than five hours away from Colorado to drive on Tuesday. We drove like it was our job on Monday and were in the car for nearly 10 hours, making only three stops.

Memorial Stadium at University of Nebraska

Tuesday morning moved pretty slowly after all of Monday’s progress, but our first stop was the last truck stop in Nebraska before the Nebraska-Colorado state line. The truck stop had showers for purchase, where truck drivers actually pull a number as if they are buying meat and hear an announcement that says, “Shower customer number 54, your shower is now ready. Please step up to shower 10.” Only in the Midwest, right?

Entering Colorado was an amazing feeling and suddenly made the drive a lot prettier, even before the sight of mountains. After Sonic’s happy hour, we arrived at Jessie’s apartment in Boulder and unpacked. Ending the night with margaritas on a rooftop at a nearby restaurant called Río Grande made it a perfect day. 

Jessie and I by the Colorful Colorado sign at the state line

Entering Boulder and looking at the Flat Irons

Margaritas at the Río!

Wednesday was tourist day and gave us time to meet Jessie’s friends. Since I already got a campus tour on my visit last winter, it was nice to enjoy the city rather than the university. After an amazing brunch at Snooze (with pancake flavors like Peanut Butter Cup, Strawberry White Chocolate and Pineapple Upside Down Cake), we drove to Morrison, CO to see the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater and Park, which was gorgeous. After reminiscing to Jessie’s concerts there, checking out the museum briefly and loving the view, we went to Golden, CO for the Coors Brewery tour, which was ranked the No. 3 Brewery Tour according to Trip Advisor. Coors owns Blue Moon, so it was fun to taste Blue Moon, Batch 19 and other beers you don’t usually notice. We ended the day with delicious paella at an upscale restaurant called The Med. 

Snooze with Jessie's friends Marisa & Sophie

Red Rocks Amphitheater

The two of us with the beautiful view, you can even see the Denver skyline!

Coors Brewery in Golden, Colorado. The tour buses you over to the brewery and then gives a 30-minute, self-paced walking tour with an audio headset. 

Jessie and I tasting the different Coors beers, who owns Blue Moon, Coors Light, Keystone Light (ha), Batch 19, Colorado Native and more

Aaron, MacC, me and Jessie at The Med- and we're even being photobombed by some children

As if the past few days weren’t busy enough, we had to try one last Boulder staple before leaving: Tee & Cakes. The red velvet cake whoopies, macaroons and chocolate raspberry cupcakes tasted great and was some nice sugar before driving to Denver to fly back to Chicago. Whether it was chatting in the car, touring somewhere in Colorado or trying restaurants in random cities, the whole week was incredibly relaxing, stress-free and a great way to end the summer.

MacC, one of Jessie’s awesome friends who I met last time I visited, smiles at Tee & Cakes!