Day 2

Good Morning


We start off my birthday with breakfast at the hotel, and when we walk out the doors there is a hot air balloon in the sky! I have never seen one in person, so this is very exciting for my young soul.

Colorful 'Wild West' hot air balloon floating in bright blue sky.

Fish Creek Falls


We start off our adventures with a hike to Fish Creek Falls. There are two trails to take to the falls, so we start with the paved one. The map makes it look a lot longer than it is. The view is beautiful! We head down the unpaved trail, which goes along the creek. I greatly prefer this trail as it takes us to the foot of the falls.

Majestic waterfall tumbling down rocky cliff face framed by green trees.
A serene trail winds through a grove of aspen trees with bright green summer foliage.
A waterfall cascades down a forested mountain slope in the background of this outdoor scene.
Cascading waterfall flowing through rocky terrain surrounded by evergreen forest.
Rustic wooden bridge spans rushing mountain stream surrounded by evergreen and deciduous trees.

Hahns Peak


After Fish Creek Falls, the plan is to head up to Hahns Peak. Travel Advisor says you can drive to the top. What it does not tell you is that the drive is all "gravel" (big rocks, not truly gravel), and it's scary as hell. The not-road road is only one car wide, and it's a precarious drive. We find a landing area about halfway up, where Jeremy turns the around, reversing towards the cliff edge. I'm not going to lie to you, I was ready to bail out of the car if needed. We debate on hiking the rest of the way, but decide that if we want time to do the other adventures on the list, we better not.


We do take in the beautiful scenery around us, taking some photos of the distant landscape, and up close plants before we turn around and head back down. For the amount of dislike I have towards the "road" we had just driven up, the view is breathtaking.


When we get back to the base of Mount Hahn, there is an Aspen tree grove. I think Aspens are absolutely beautiful, so I ask Jeremy to pull over so that I can go take pictures. Being the perfect gentleman he is, he did without question.

Sunlit aspen forest with tall white bark trees and green canopy in summer.
Sunlit aspen grove with white bark trunks rising from lush green summer undergrowth.
Hiker gestures at scenic mountain overlook while wearing purple t-shirt on sunny day.
Rocky mountain trail descends through pine forest with distant peaks visible.
Looking up through towering aspen trees to blue sky and white clouds above.
Sweeping mountain valley vista with green forests and distant blue peaks under puffy clouds.
Vibrant red Indian Paintbrush wildflowers bloom against a blurred mountain backdrop.
Hiking companions share a moment at scenic mountain overlook with valley views behind them.
Majestic mountain peak rises above green meadow under bright blue summer sky.

Steamboat Lake State Park


After Hahn's Peak it is time to go to Steamboat Lake State Park.


It's a smaller State Park, with not very many trails to wander on. It's mostly a recreational park for boating and swimming. With the mountains surrounding it, it is a beautiful place to be.

Mountain landscape with green meadow and rocky peaks under puffy clouds.
Someone strolling along a peaceful mountain lake shore wearing a sun hat.

Pearl Lake State Park


The last place we go to is Pearl Lake State Park, which is very close to Steamboat Lake. This is more nature-based, as no swimming or boating is allowed. There are a lot of people stand-up paddle boarding. I see my first wild columbine flower here.

Serene mountain lake surrounded by evergreen forest under blue summer sky.
Lone paddleboarder on a tranquil mountain lake surrounded by pine forest.
Butterfly perched on green plant leaves against blurred yellow wildflower background.
Delicate purple and white Columbine flower blooming in natural setting.

Leaving Steamboat Springs


We end up having a late lunch in Steamboat Springs and then head back to Denver. We drive over to Jeremy's parent's house to pick up the puppies, and his parents take me out for birthday dinner! I certainly was not expecting dinner, and I think it is very sweet of them to take me out for my birthday.