My first major memory of Steamboat Springs was attending Junior Camp at Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp the summer I turned ten. That summer was the summer that Steamboat became "part" of me. Having the freedom to explore it on the weekends with my campmates gave me a unique perspective on what it had to offer...tubing on the Yampa, browsing the shops on Lincoln, eating ice cream from Lyons and swimming at the Hot Springs. Over the years I continued to come back, including two summers during college as a nanny for my aunt and uncle who lived in the area, running what we dubbed, "Camp Nanny Toto", for my two nieces. Those visits merely deepened my connection to this beautiful town.
Once I graduated from Florida State University, I initially took a job in Florida, but within three months I realized that my heart was in Steamboat. So, I sold everything that would not fit in my Buick and drove across the country to try to make a life for myself in Steamboat. That was over three years ago, and I don't plan on ever leaving. Steamboat is the perfect place to live for so many reasons.
Once I graduated from Florida State University, I initially took a job in Florida, but within three months I realized that my heart was in Steamboat. So, I sold everything that would not fit in my Buick and drove across the country to try to make a life for myself in Steamboat. That was over three years ago, and I don't plan on ever leaving. Steamboat is the perfect place to live for so many reasons.
First of all, Steamboat is a town that lives outside, not inside. People in Steamboat look for every reason they can to get out of their houses and enjoy each other and the town. Adults of all ages join hockey leagues, biking clubs, rugby teams, kick ball tournaments, tennis league and softball leagues (just to name a few, the list is endless.) In addition to that, no matter the weather, people find a way to enjoy it; such as snowshoeing, ice climbing, skiing, snow boarding and dog sledding in the winter and rock climbing, mountain biking, participating in a wide variety of water sports, camping and hiking in the summer.
Next, Steamboat is a town that knows how to have fun. Not only does the town present free concerts all summer long, there are constantly other types of events going on that make people smile. There is the hospital fund raiser called the Penguin Plunge that is full of funny costumes and the Old Town Hot Springs pooch paddle where dogs get to enjoy the pools with their humans. Then there is the Annual Dance Theatre Benefit where people from every corner of the community commit to learn a dance or two in order to raise money for dance scholarships, and the end-of-ski-season, throwback, ski wear fashion show on the mountain. Add to that, crazy events like the Cardboard Classic (photo to left) and the Winter Carnival, and there are plenty of opportunities to have a laugh with new and old friends. There was even a flash mob at last year's Winter Carnival that almost everyone in town learned. Living here, special moments like that are the norm, not the exception.
Finally, Steamboat is a place of friendships. Because people are spending so much time outside of their houses and are constantly engaging in things that make them smile, right along side their neighbors, friendships that are formed here, run very deep. When I first arrived, I marveled at how easy it was to meet people. No matter where I went, people introduced themselves, invited me to cook outs, and encouraged me to join them on their team/league or in various outdoor activities. Soon, I was the one hosting game nights, organizing climbing outings and being the one to reach out to new people I saw around town. In three years, Steamboat and her people have woven themselves deep into my heart.
My Steamboat: a beautiful little ski town hidden in the Rockies who will steal your heart if you give her a chance.
Next, Steamboat is a town that knows how to have fun. Not only does the town present free concerts all summer long, there are constantly other types of events going on that make people smile. There is the hospital fund raiser called the Penguin Plunge that is full of funny costumes and the Old Town Hot Springs pooch paddle where dogs get to enjoy the pools with their humans. Then there is the Annual Dance Theatre Benefit where people from every corner of the community commit to learn a dance or two in order to raise money for dance scholarships, and the end-of-ski-season, throwback, ski wear fashion show on the mountain. Add to that, crazy events like the Cardboard Classic (photo to left) and the Winter Carnival, and there are plenty of opportunities to have a laugh with new and old friends. There was even a flash mob at last year's Winter Carnival that almost everyone in town learned. Living here, special moments like that are the norm, not the exception.
Finally, Steamboat is a place of friendships. Because people are spending so much time outside of their houses and are constantly engaging in things that make them smile, right along side their neighbors, friendships that are formed here, run very deep. When I first arrived, I marveled at how easy it was to meet people. No matter where I went, people introduced themselves, invited me to cook outs, and encouraged me to join them on their team/league or in various outdoor activities. Soon, I was the one hosting game nights, organizing climbing outings and being the one to reach out to new people I saw around town. In three years, Steamboat and her people have woven themselves deep into my heart.
My Steamboat: a beautiful little ski town hidden in the Rockies who will steal your heart if you give her a chance.