Be Bold in Boulder

Now known by many as the "Stoner State," many now flock to Colorado to take advantage of its legalization of marijuana recreationally. Additionally, the state is a popular destination for sports fanatics and nature lovers. Boulder, the eclectic city at the base of the Foothills, is conveniently located a short drive away from ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park, and has extensive activities sure to please any visitor.

1) Attention, runners! Thousands of runners flock to Boulder's streets on Memorial Day each year dressed in garb ranging from traditional workout wear to the most bizarre costumes you can imagine. The Bolder Boulder race is 10 kilometers, or about 6.2 miles, and participants can decide to run, walk, jog or maintain any pace they wish during the course. The race takes place in Boulder's streets and finishes in the stadium at the University of Colorado.

My father and I after the Bolder Boulder 2014

2) Visit the Rockies- whether it be the baseball team or the National Park, visiting one or both of the "rockies" is a must while in Boulder. At Rocky Mountain National Park, you can hike, camp, and will surely see a variety of the wildlife for which the park is known. After visiting the park, be sure to stop in Estes Park for food, shopping, and perhaps a visit to the famous Stanley Hotel, featured in the film The Shining. To see the Colorado Rockies play, take a trip to Coors Field in Denver. Just be sure to check the schedule first!

3) Tough decisions for foodies...Boulder's famous walking mall, Pearl Street, is home to a multitude of fine dining options. Frasca, Riff's Urban Fare, and Centro are just a few topping the list from which to choose. Many of the restaurants offer fixed price menus, and can cater to any sort of dietary restrictions. In addition to the fine dining establishments, there are dive bars and casual eateries offering fantastic food.

4) If you choose to toke... learn as much as you can about the new rules and regulations regarding recreational marijuana. For starters, out-of-state residents can buy a quarter of an ounce whereas Colorado residents can buy up to an ounce at once. Also, for first time users, be aware of the strength of edibles- there is still much debate as to how they should be regulated and they can be extremely strong, so use caution.

Dining Do's and Dont's in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio, a little beach town located on the west side of Costa Rica, is a popular tourist destination for its beaches and national park. Within the park, lucky visitors can spot a variety of wildlife including monkeys, reptiles and small mammals. 

Know Before You Go:

1) The park is closed on MONDAYS! Don't try to go on a Monday or you will be sorely disappointed.

2) When walking through the national park, walk slowly and look up at the trees. That is where the sloths, monkeys, etc. are hiding.

3) Bring your swimsuit into the park- there are beaches that you can easily walk to. 
4) Prepare for rain! It is very likely you may not get a good beach day.

Restaurants to Visit and Those to Avoid:

Restaurante Manuel Antionio:
This little establishment provides a mediocre experience at best. If you do happen to go there for breakfast, do not order the eggs and tomato unless you want to feel like you were just conned out of 5$ for a portion the size of your fist that resembles something that had already been eaten. After that experience, I'm not sure what drove us back there for lunch, but some mysterious restaurant gods brought us back there and I ordered the ensalada verde or green salad which, thankfully, included a hearty portion of greens and avocado. To sum up, if you hit up this restaurant, only do so for lunch or dinner and skip breakfast there unless you like to waste money.

Restaurante Nuevo Amanecer:
The fact that this centrally-located establishment does not serve alcohol likely contributes to its lower lunch and dinner prices. However, if you don't mind not getting tipsy with your meal, it is not a bad spot. Being so close to the ocean, it is a good idea to try the fish at least once, so I ordered pescado a la plancha (grilled fish) with veggies and rice, though other side options included fries and salad. I received a decent portion for the equivalent of $8. Another perk to eating there was their free Internet. 

Italia & Co.:
Don't miss this place. The waitress treated me with exceptional kindness while serving generous portions at dinner. It's not only a great choice for lunch and dinner; sweet tooth cravings are easily cured by their selection of fresh gelato and sorbets. Never have my taste buds felt so spoiled by a tasty treat. Their fresh fruit sorbets lack an overwhelming amount of sugar, making them the perfect amount of sweetness and truly to die for. I returned for dinner upon spotting their reasonable prices for salad offerings and ordered the salad with corn, mushrooms, carrots, peppers and tomatoes. Only minutes later the waitress brought a bread basket accompanied by oil and vinegar as well as a huge bowl of salad for a very reasonable price. 

Backpacker's Paradise Costa Linda:
Tucked away inconspicuously off the main route, this is the only restaurant offering mind-blowing prices for breakfast. Mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, insert shock-depicting adjective here. Literally, never go anywhere else for breakfast. Their other prices are just so-so, but for only 4$ they serve bottomless coffee and tea, a pancake, fresh banana, pineapple and watermelon, beans and rice, bread and eggs. We got the eggs minus everything else and paid more the morning before.