Hiking Mohawk Lakes In Breckenridge, Colorado

This hike is not for the faint of heart or the new to altitude! It turns fingernails blue approaching 12,000 feet elevation.

Yelpers seem to think the Mohawk Lakes hike is “moderate.” It is not!

This is the hardest hike I have done since moving to Colorado almost four years ago. That’s saying a lot.

If you’re brave enough, the scenery and views are worth it! We came face to face with melting glacier at the top.

Spawning trout in the crystal clear glacial lakes were close enough to reach in and grab, and Colorado wildflowers carpeted the mountains.

Distance from Denver: 70 miles

Hike time: 6 hours

Hike Distance: 7 miles

Elevation: 12,500 feet

Worth it? 100 Percent

Hiking El Dorado Canyon State Park In Boulder, Colorado

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If you can do only one thing on your visit to Colorado, take a hike at El Dorado Canyon State Park in Boulder! It’s the easiest way to “see” quintessential Colorado scenery.

To enjoy El Dorado Canyon State Park, you don’t even have to hike. Just drive the three miles from the city of Boulder into this “other-world,” pay the $9 Colorado state park fee by credit card or cash, and drive into a postcard.

The park’s iconic jagged rock faces greet visitors at the entrance. You follow the beautiful river and waterfalls below the rocks and take your pick of trails.

The 0.7 mile Fowler Trail provides spectacular views and it only takes 45 minutes at a leisurely pace to complete (stopping for pictures!)

Look out for the azure blue butterflies that only live at El Dorado Canyon State Park, where they feed on the natural hops that make Colorado famous for its craft beers 🙂

 

Miami Beach On The Cheap

Stay: 

The Generator Hostel: $38

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Play: Free!

Chill at Faena Beach accross the street from the Generator Hostel (the hostel gives out free beach towels).

FAE900A9-4E3C-4B05-B5BC-43DB8519025D.jpegRent the hostel’s free bikes and ride all the way down Collins Ave. to South Beach. Or, walk (it’ll take about 2 hours). There is also a bus you can take which costs a quarter to ride up and down Collins Ave.

Stop at Espanola Way and photograph the stunning historic Cuban Architecture (and maybe grab some Cuban food, oysters or Paella).

Sunbathe, collect sea shells or swim in the warm azure waters of the iconic South Beach! Maybe see a modeling shoot, too.

Eat:

Shepherd’s coffee $15-30

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Arrive: $16

Take an Uber

 

 

Thai Surprises

There are three genders in Thailand, including the “pretty boys.”

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Thailand has black swans.

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Thailand has GIANT green beans.

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No Bibles in hotels, Buddhism!

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Thailand wakes up around 7 PM

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Matcha green tea is the Coca Cola of Thailand.

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There is a thing in East Asia called Hepatitis E

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Green curry is the same thing as red curry

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Thai’s put sugar in everything –sweet, spicy, sour, salty and bitter.

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A Thai stir fry is one of 16 authentic dishes I made at Trichada the Cookery Home,

Teas change colors. Butterfly pea tea changes from deep blue to deep purple!

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If you smell sewage, it’s probably just durian.

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Durian vendor at Asiatique night market in Bangkok, Thailand

Thai massage really hurts.

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Going to a spa means getting your feet eaten by thousands of small fish

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You can literally buy too much crap at the markets

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Elephants love giving kisses!

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Riding elephants and bathing them at Woody Elephant Training in Mae Taeng, near Chiang Mai, Thailand, was one of the best experiences of my life. Love these gentle giants!

Touring Chiang Mai, Thailand by Taxi

Chiang Mai, Thailand is a big city! Taking a taxi is the best way to see it all!

The taxi driver will be your personal tour guide, and will wait for you to complete each attraction.

Bonus: taxis have air conditioning 🙂

Chiang Mai By Taxi:

Stop 1:

Doi Kham

Stop 2:

Doi Suthep

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65 foot tall Buddha at the 1000 year old Wat (Temple) Doi Kham
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Doi Suthep