Lundeland: Summer Vacation: CB, CO

For years Matt and I have been talking about taking a summer vacation in Crested Butte, Colorado. And each year, some other trip comes up, and we say "we'll go next year." Who knew that "next year" would turn into five. We have been several times in the winter because the Mountain and American Airlines contract for ski season to offer affordable, direct flights from Dallas to Gunnison. (Texans love Crested Butte!) So we would go primarily to see my grandparents - and if there was time fit in a bit of skiing. But this summer with Heather's wedding in Denver we decided to make it happen. The Sunday after the wedding we packed up our rental car and drove up over Monarch pass, stopping in Gunnison to see Oma and finally arriving at Aunt Donna's in Crested Butte.

Crested Butte is a really special place for me. I'm sure most of you have a place like it - a family ranch, beach that you spent most of your summers at, a friend's lakehouse...or maybe you have lived in the same place your entire life so that is your place. For me, I have moved around a bit so the question "where are you from" always seems more complicated than naming a simple city. But if you ask me "where is your favorite place to be" I would say Crested Butte without hesitation. Well, let me specify, I would say Crested Butte in the summer. CB is beautiful in the winter, but I am not a big winter sport girl, nor do I like being cold - so I could take it or leave it. But in the summer it really is an amazing place that leaves my heart with a calming sense of peacefulness.

Driving into CB

My family has been spending summers in CB since I was born. "Sisson Session" family reunions took place every summer for years! And having two aunts and their families there doesn't hurt either. Several years ago they moved my grandparents to Gunnison and the trips out to CB seemed to increase even more. During my college years my family and I lived in CB for 3 summers and we hiked and biked like champions. On my 21st birthday we woke up at 6:30am and rode one of the most difficult mountain bike passes in the area! We hiked from CB to Aspen, biked from CB to Gunnison, touched the tops of many mountain peaks, rafted, biked trails that now seem impossible, worked and spent time with family.

So who wouldn't be excited to go back!?!? And better yet - get to see their husband experience their favorite place!?!? Matt has seen CB in the winter plenty of times, but it was so fun explore the town in the summer. And as out of shape as I am - I was determined to show him a few of my favorite hikes. We only had two days for hiking - so I choose Long Lake and Scarps Ridge!

Hike #1 - Long Lake: Real name is Meridian Lake. It is an extremely steep, very short hike up to this beautiful lake where, yes, there is some topless sunbathing that may or may not occur. My cousin Diana came with us and for a long time we pretty much had the lake to ourselves. We picniced, read, relaxed and Matt explored!

Matt's initiation - we have all done it! He got lucky because this is a pretty warm lake!

I could have stayed up there and read for HOURS!

In the summers they have outdoor concerts every Monday and Wednesday. We met family and ate our Teocoli Tamali burritos! The weather could not have been more perfect.

Hike #2 - Lake Erwin: Real name is Scarps Ridge. This is my favorite hike of all of the possible hikes you can do around CB. You probably climb to 12,000+ feet or so. There was NO part of me that was physically prepared to do such a hike with the added obstacle of the high altitude - but nothing was going to stop me from getting to the top.