#RoadYogi Recap: Gunnison, Crested Butte & Aspen, CO

#RoadYogi Recap – Gunnison, Crested Butte & Aspen

YOGA: Sanctuary Yoga (Gunnison) | O2 (Aspen)

If and when you pass through the old western town of Gunnison, CO, find yourself venturing over to Sanctuary Yoga for a morning meditation or afternoon flow. As the original visionary behind this small town studio, Leia Morrison is not only an experienced yoga teacher; she is also a marketing maven, mother of 2 daughters and 2 pups and a city councilwoman. I was fortunate enough to lead my Back to Basics workshop to a wonderful group of women and then enjoyed an afternoon connecting and cheersing to my fellow Colorado School of Yoga alum Leia for inviting me into town.

Aspen is one of my favorite mountain towns in Colorado and every time I visit, I make it my priority to attend class at O2 with Evan Soroka. An integral part of the Colorado School of Yoga family, Evan is a fabulous yoga teacher, the self-proclaimed “Diabetic Yogini” and badass fly fisher. O2 is a quaint studio, spa and boutique right on Main Street. Upon entry, you will immediately feel welcomed by the front desk staff and be able to peruse some high/low priced apparel to compliment your yoga practice and stay in this popular Rocky Mountain ski town.

FOOD: J Bar at Hotel Jerome (Aspen)

If you would like to treat yourself to a bougie brunch, be sure to check out J Bar at Hotel Jerome. This iconic hotel is not to be missed with its historic architecture, sophisticated elegance and cowboy dressed staff. After few nights camping in Crested Butte, I treated myself to a tasty brunch with potato latkes and a spicy bloody mary. Wander this hotel after your meal and check out the historic artwork!

BREW: High Alpine Brewing Company (Gunnison)

Who doesn’t like Beer & Pizza? High Alpine Brewing Company is a new Gunnison staple that serves up tasty microbrew and delicious brick oven pizza. Leia took me here Après Yoga at Sanctuary and we enjoyed fresh burrata, the Pig & Fig pizza and the seasonal Curecanti Chile Beer made with chiles from Paonia, CO. Highly recommend this spot if you are passing through Gunnison County and looking for a delicious lunch paired with a refreshing brew.

COFFEE & TEA: Camp for Coffee (Crested Butte) | T-Bar Tea House (Crested Butte)

After evenings spent camping in the Gunnison National Forest, I stopped at Camp for Coffee in Crested Butte for my daily coffee dose. A favorite to both locals and tourists, this mini coffee shop is perfect for a quick coffee or breakfast on the go. Need an afternoon pick me up? Try the Thai Iced Tea at the T-Bar Tea House. Crested Butte is probably my favorite Colorado ski town with an adorable downtown, majestic mountain scenery and the most challenging ski runs!

SPECIAL TREAT: A-1 Oriental Foot Massage (Aspen)

During one of my many visits to Aspen mountain, my dear friend Jessica introduced me to the art of a foot massage Après Ski. This hidden gem is the perfect remedy to relieve sore muscles from camping, hiking, skiing and/or shopping. Sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of reflexology!

CAMPSITE: Oh Be Joyful Campground (Crested Butte)

Colorado definitely has the best camping in America! The Oh Be Joyful Campground in Crested Butte was the perfect spot for my first weekend with my teardrop trailer. And camping off Independence Pass in Aspen was by far my most memorable camping experience this summer. I certainly faced my fears of sleeping in my camper in the wilderness and proudly built my first campfire. Both routes were challenging to get to but well worth the scenic views and stories to share.

HIGHLIGHT: Maroon Bells (Aspen)

The most photographed peaks in all of North America, Maroon Bells, are a must-see destination when you are visiting Aspen. Even though I visited Aspen several times before, this was my first time visit seeing the bells and certainly a rewarding one. With breathtaking views of the 14,000 foot mountain peaks, lush greenery and rushing rivers, I was in awe of Colorado’s most precious majesty. I arrived soon after sunrise so I missed the maroon hue of the mountains but I was fortunate enough to hike to Crater Lake in solitude. And in the winter, there is always Cloud 9.