Head into the hills if you want a workout, or stick to the lowland paths and marvel at the 2.8M dollar homes with some of the best views in the world.

Location of "Paraglider Hill" I don’t know if this is actually called Paraglider hill, but it is the only name that makes sense. Pop a squat here and watch the paragliders land in the field while you contemplate things like: “is that fun or is it scary? Or both?” and “wow it looks like landing might be rough on the knees.”

There are so many trails and paths in the area you can turn the Wonderland Lake-Paraglider Hill-Fourmile Canyon into a Choose Your Own Adventure loop. The adventure I chose involved taking my boots off and dipping my feet in Fourmile creek. Altogether this is probably a 3-4.5 mile loop.

Last time I was in Boulder I overheard someone say that the happy hour here is really good (can confirm!). Plus they have a patio. Happy hour is every day from 2-5PM and the best tacos are the barbacoa and the grilled fish.

Pick up a book or a magazine to read at the park (the next stop!). My picks this week included Denver Magazine, Mother Earth News: Homesteading Edition (I know, I know…) and Cleopatra and Frankenstein.

Come here to watch the Boulder college students do cosplay of Boulder college students. If you can find a spot in the shade (away from a slackliner drinking White Claw) you can lay out a blanket, read your books, and drink a cold one in peace. If you can’t tell from that description, the park is crowded but the people watching is A-plus. Parking can be easier across at street “The People’s Crossing.” You can even take a dip in the creek if you're feeling it.

Up and down, not a lot of shade (come early, or late) 3 mile loop from Turkey Trot Trail to Castle Trail, or head all the way to the castle ruins.  Mt Falcon Trail Map (https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/19619/Mount-Falcon-Park-map)

If you’re just in it for the views you can park at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center parking lot and walk across Colorow Rd. to the outcropping (Colorow Point Access on the Lookout Mountain Preserve map (https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/9374/Lookout-Mountain-Preserve-Map?bidId=)) If you’re feeling bucolic, do the Meadow Loop for a quick jaunt through a ponderosa pine meadow (<2 mi) Connect to the trails in Windy Saddle Park (https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/9388/Windy-Saddle-Park-Map) for a longer hike Lookout Mountain Road is a fun scenic byway with some hairpin turns, drops you right into downtown Golden Follow it up with a trip to The Golden Mill (https://thegoldenmill.com/) or Goosetown Station (https://www.goosetownstation.com/)

A cute bar impersonating a cute house.

The High Line Canal (https://highlinecanal.org/guide/) is a very cool 71 mile (71!) greenway. Excellent for easy walks, bike rides, or runs (beware, shade is minimal). For a little adventure into the cottonwoods, turn left into Chatfield state park shortly after mile marker 3 (the Platte River Trail (https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Chatfield/Documents/ChatfieldAreaMap.pdf)).  Don’t worry, the parking here isn’t nearly as crazy as it is at Waterton Canyon or the main reservoir at Chatfield State Park.

I only jumped out of the car to check this out briefly but boy do I want to go back! Paved path along the - you guessed it - Blue River. It does run adjacent to Highway 9 (ew, cars) but it also connects to the scenic Ten Mile Canyon Recpath and the Frisco Farmers Korner Recpath.  Part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - read more about the Recpath here (https://www.traillink.com/trail/blue-river-recpath/)

I rounded out my Sunday with a class on “Herbs for Brain Function and Support” at one of my favoriate places in Denver: Apothecary Tinctura  Checkout their workshop + events schedule (https://www.apothecarytinctura.com/events-workshops), wellness services (https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=23655808), or just stop in to get some yummy teas or delicious soaps.  The herbalists are so knowledgeable and can hook you up with supportive herbs for whatever ails you.