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Durango City Guide

DurangoTravelCityGuide

In 2012, my parents bought a home in Durango, much to our dismay, as we were rooting for a lake house in Austin. We are now so glad they ignored our pleas, as this old-timey city has definitely won over our hearts (and the lack of Texas humidity is a huge bonus). Durango has everything you could possibly need in a getaway city – great food and drinks, amazing views, fun activities, good shopping (well, not high fashion), and perfect weather (ahem, except perhaps the freezing cold winters). We’re fortunate enough to live just two streets over from Main Avenue, which is where most of the restaurants and shops are found. Given that most things in Texas are driving distance, it’s nice to be able to walk to dinner. We also take advantage of the proximity to the mountains and Animas river, and spend the days outside hiking, biking, rafting, running, etc.

If you’re looking for a fun Colorado vacation spot, I highly recommend making a trip to Durango. And if you come, I suggest trying some of the following restaurants, juice bars, ice cream shops, parks and adventure centers. If you have already been to Durango, am I missing anything?


 Food and Drinks

Carver’s Brewing Co.: This brewery is a favorite in our family, as it’s just two streets over from my parent’s house and the food is delicious. I typically order the Sesame Seared Ahi Stir Fry (substitute tofu for Ahi) or the veggie burger without the bun and a salad versus fries. Both options are delicious. Sasha normally gets the Tatanka (buffalo) burger and also loves it. They have big to-go beers called “Growlers” (discounted refills), so naturally Sasha and Dad have to drink one or two of those to prove their Colorado manliness.

Week 4 in Durango

We have almost been in Durango for a month, and time is literally flying by, which is giving me anxiety. I am not ready to return to Houston, although I would give anything to hug my friends and family. In the past week, we have seen multiple deer lingering in our yard and our neighbors, taken (almost) daily walks to the local handcrafted ice cream shop – Cream Bean Berry, gone on 2-mi. morning walks with the beautiful crisp air, finished Photo 101, started Floral Arranging 101, and learning so much in Illustrator 101. We also visited Sutcliffe Vineyards, ate at Carver’s Brewery (dying over their veggie burger), and  Sasha’s mom, her friend, my sister, and her boyfriend all visited. It was a busy week, but we enjoyed every second of it. One of my best friends arrives next week with her baby, Lillian, who was born 26 days after Isla. I cannot wait!

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Isla’s Baby Gap romper – love that bow at the waist (similar here)

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Daily walks to the Animas River with the whole family are the highlight of my day

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Jill is already one strike down on the babysitting tally (re: drinking and holding)! // Dinner at Grassburger happens far too often

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This is the face she makes when she is gurgling – totally purses her little lips (more of this outfit here)

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Isla loves to fist pump in her Gap Star Bubble Bodysuit (now on sale!)

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My hair is now in constant pony tails because she loves to grab things – like her dad’s Serbian Orthodox chain necklace
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Pattern play in her Carter’s top, Baby Gap striped pants and Trumpette socks
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Hanging out on one of her Mimi’s colorful quilts

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Belle is in heaven

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Straight CHEESIN’ – in her J. Crew tank in flower patch and Baby Gap shorts

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I couldn’t love her any more

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Going on a walk in my J. Crew tank (I live in these), Nordstrom fedora (similar) and Chloe sunglasses (similar) – Isla’s Baby Gap hat looks like a mushroom here!

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Ready to play fetch

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Practicing standing with her Tata

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One happy little patriotic sailor

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I want this Janie and Jack romper for myself! I love the bow on the back

Highlights of Week One in Durango

We’ve been in Durango for just over a week now, and we are loving it. Sasha said to me yesterday, “You realize the most important and stressful decision we make all day is what we’re going to eat for dinner.” I laughed – but it’s true. We go on about four to five walks a day, as my parents live within 5 minutes of the grocery store, Main Street where all of the restaurants and shops are, Animas River, and mountain trails. My Nike Fuel Band is back in action! I wrote a Durango Travel Guide post last year, but I definitely have to update it after trying many new restaurants, juice bars and ice cream shops. I’ve put together an assortment of photos from our first week – as you can tell, I’ve been very trigger happy as of late.

What are your summer plans?

PS Happy birthday, Mum and Karine!

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Isla flew from Houston to Denver to Durango and slept through every second of it (thank you, Lord!)

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Walking to Durango Joe’s for morning coffee with the whole Petrovic family

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Hiking and biking (while the grandparents were here to babysit!)

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I finally found a bow that is semi-appropriately sized for a newborn – and a tutu dress from my sweet co-workers!

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Celebrating our one year anniversary — with dinner and on a raft!

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My favorite bow romper from Paola (I love Janie and Jack!) and our romantic rooftop anniversary dinner

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Staring at that face all day and praying she always wants to hold my hand

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Geared up for a day on the water (another Paola gift!) and a wet pup from lots of Animas River swimming

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Isla’s new nap place – the BabyBjorn – and a tired tanner in her Baby Gap swimsuit from Erin

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Navajo State Park adventures with the whole family (Isla slept through the entire experience)

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A sneak peak of Isla’s newborn photos from Taylor Lord and I’ve finally sent all of the birth announcements!

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Father-daughter bonding moments that make me heart melt

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Hamming it up – and wearing her UT apparel! Girl’s gonna be a Longhorn fan, for sure

Catching Up on Life

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Last week was beyond busy with work, which left absolutely zero time to take a mental break and blog. So, to catch up…

> Our engagement pictures were recently featured on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog here

> I finally ate at Coppa and Roost (twice) after they’d been on my “must eat at” list for ages and obviously had to add them to my Best of Houston: Restaurants and Coffee list

> We had the best time in Durango: hiking, ziplining, river rafting, and cycling – house above, more pictures soon!

> Celebrated Pierson’s first birthday and Bryan’s 25th! I love birthdays so much.

> Bought this striped chair for our entryway – final pictures of the Manor to come soon!

> Purchased tickets to The Book of Mormon for next weekend… seriously cannot wait

> Found out that we’re going to be Door Openers at Passion 2014 in Houston

> Headed to San Francisco for a day (here now) – fourth time in this beautiful city in 2013 and cannot complain about that