TRAVEL DIARY | ROAD TRIP VISIT IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

HAPPY THRUSDAY, EVERYONE! 

I ALWAYS ENJOY A TRIP TO THE ABQ, AS WE REFER TO ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, known as the land of enchantment.  

I was recently there celebrating my nephew's 4th birthday and am back again for my niece NUGGET'S 2nd birthday.

below are some highlights from my travel diary of adventures. enjoy! ❤

IN A BIT OF A PRICKLY SITUATION.

SUNGLASSES: LAUNDRY BY SHELLI SEGAL  | OLIVE GREEN TUNIC: FOREVER 21 | BLACK SOLITAIRE NECKLACE: H&M | GOLD BAR BRACELET: ALI EXPRESS | TRIANGLE RING: BOHO BEACH JEWELRY ETSY SHOP

I FOUND DORI!

RELAXING AND CATCHING SOME SUN RAYS WITH PETE-Y-POP.

PREPPING A MIMOSA BAR BRUNCH FOR MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY! 

Love the champagne balloons, so fun!

CELEBRATING MY MOTHER'S 71ST BIRTHDAY, I ONLY HOPE I HAVE AS MUCH NATURAL BEAUTY AND CLASS AS SHE DOES WHEN I'M HER AGE.

WE BE GRILLIN' - PORK CHOPS DINNER

CHEERS TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY BELOW THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS.

BANGLES: ALEX AND ANI  |  14 HANDS WINE: CABERNET SAUVIGNON

BEAUTIFUL EVENING WALK AT SUNSET  |  LOCATION: - ALBUQUERQUE, NM

ALBUQUERQUE HAS SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND VIBRANT SUNSETS.

Enjoyed A DIVINE SUSHI LUNCH

LOCATION: PACIFIC PARADISE SUSHI BAR - ALBUQUERQUE, NM

MY SISTER KNOWS HOW TO PUT A YUMMY SPREAD TOGETHER.

Image captured from my Instagram story.

TRAVEL DIARY: 72 HOURS IN DENVER, CO AND RAY LAMONTAGNE AT RED ROCKS

Happy Monday, Everyone!

First off, I want to wish my younger sister and awesome brother-in-law a Happy 7th Anniversary!

Their weeding was such a beautiful and magical celebration of love, and I look forward to many more years of happiness ahead!

Now, what better way to start the week than by looking back at my recent 72 hour extended weekend adventure in Denver, Colorado.  It was an incredible trip filled with endless, non-stop, fun-filled adventures around a beautiful city.  

Most of that is all thanks to the best tour guide a girl could have for the time I was there.  We packed so much into such a short time that I feel as though I really made the most of my time there and got a full experience filled with memories I'll never forget!  I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my time there already.

We had the best time...

•  Exploring local breweries, like Station 28 Brewing Co, and the fun Octoberfest celebrations. 

•  Taking the Light Rail and sight seeing around downtown Denver, Larimer Square, Union Station and it's beautiful terminal.

•  Visiting a number of delicious restaurants and bars, like Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen, and trying late night fabulous food and cozy cocktails at Cart-Driver. 

•  Driving up in the mountains to see the aspen trees starting to change into their lovely golden yellow and walking around peaceful Summit Lake on a beautiful day.  

•  Seeing Ray LaMontagne in 6th row dead center at the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater on a gorgeous night, pure perfection!

•  Walking around Cherry Creek at sunset.  

•  Enjoying delish ramen outside at Uncle and so much more! 

Denver was am unplanned stop and trip that I'm glad I took a chance on and booked.  Yet another reminder to say, "yes" to opportunity and adventure whenever you find it before you in life.  
Plus, I got to see my friend Erin, whom I grew up with in Abu Dhabi.  We caught up over a yummy lunch at Sushi Den after 7 years of not seeing each other  So, it was a true win-win trip all around!
It's safe to say that Colorado has taken a piece of my heart, starting with my 2 weeks in Aspen, and I'm looking forward to all that may be ahead.  Until then, let's get to some pictures! ❤ Station 28 Brewing Co in Denver, Colorado.

Sampling some of Station 28 Brewing Company's great beers, I chose the Octoberfest to go with the event.

Larimer Square in Downtown Denver.

Appetizer and drinks at Euclid Hall in downtown Denver, Colorado. We got a local draft beer, Monte Castillo Tempranillo and Pickled Sampler.

Beautiful Terminal at Union Station in downtown Denver Colorado.

Late night Happy Hour and dinner specials at Cart-Driver in downtown Denver, Colorado. We got their Happy Hour Perfect Manhattans, Daisy Pizza and Sardines & Toast.

Exploring the beautiful mountains in Denver on a pretty day.

Walking around peaceful Summit Lake in the mountains of Denver, Colorado.

Seeing the gorgeous Aspen Trees turing golden yellow up in the mountains.

Magical Red Rock Amphitheater

Photo Credit: Brian Stowell via Ray LaMontagne's Instagram
The above image is not mine, but I ove how this captures the magical night and it's fun that I'm in the picture dead center.

Ray LaMontagne Ouroboros Tour 2016 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Photo Credit: Andrew Coonan
Walking around stunning Cherry Creek at sunset.

Photo Credit: Andrew Coonan

Yummy ramen dinner outside at Uncle in Denver, Colorado.  
We got the Pork Belly Buns, Garlic Edamame, Kimchi Ramen, Veggie Ramen, Saki, Asian Pacific "Tiger" Lager and Trapiche Broquel Malbec. 

Veggie Ramen with the egg.

Early morning pre-flight wake-up and my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.

Gorgeous sunrise at Denver International Airport and having mixed emotions about leaving.
ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.

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In September 2017, a year after I posted this blog, I am officially moving to the Mile High City from the Big Apple!  You can follow my adventures, move, apartment hunt and more in my Destination Denver series! 

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TRAVEL DIARY: SCENIC DRIVE FROM UTAH TO FUN TIMES IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

On the next part of my road trip we headed from time in the beautiful state of Utah through Nevada and onto Scottsdale, Arizona.

The roads through these parts of the US truly are natural wonders of beauty.  Once we made it to Scottsdale, we visited one of my mother's lovely friend from college and her husband.  

They were the perfect hosts and showed us all around the area.  Arizona is just full of very unique cactus at every turn that are hundreds of years old, beautiful blue skies, a number of lovely golf courses and pretty sunsets.

We enjoyed some great conversation, shared wonderful wine, cozy cocktails and marvelous meals, including a fantastic dinner at Constantino's, a part of Desert Mountain's Golf Club resort.

One of my favorite memories from our time with them was a fun, late night sing along by the piano, where I got to revisit my love for singing and broadway show tunes, and enjoy a little coffee with a kick Kahlúa. The perfect way to end a fun-filled visit and day with some wonderful people! 

OK, picture time!  Enjoy! ❤

Beautiful drive from Utah through Nevada.

Such beautiful rock formations everywhere you look.

Joshua Trees are always so cute and full of character.

This 7 legged tarantula greeted us in Scottsdale, AZ...I thought he was pretty cute! 

White Top: TJ Maxx = $7.99  /  White Bralette: Target = $9.99  /  Gold Stretch Bracelets:
Francesca's = $12.00 (Set of 5 on Sale)  /  Museum Gold Ring: Manhattan Beach, CA Boutique (Gift)

Simply for the sake of size comparison. :)

Looking around the beautiful Desert Mountain area.

Cacti in Arizona are hundreds of years old, and it takes 50-70 years to sprout a new arm branch!

Gorgeous view, and wedding spot, at the Desert Mountain Golf Resort
below Constantino's Restaurant.

Sunset dinner at Constantino's with some truly wonderful people and family friends.

Black Racerback Top: TJ Maxx = $5.99  /  Gold Bars Necklace: Express = $24 (similar)  /
White A-Line Skirt: Forever 21 = $19.90 (similar)

Sharing great wine among friends at Constantino's in Desert Mountain, life is good. 

Making good memories with a fun sing along to broadway show tunes after dinner.

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