llyon35

I still have family there so I head back to Fort Collins at least once or twice a year. The schools are top notch…could NOT have imagined growing up anywhere else. And did you know Ft. Collins has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the US? (The most microbreweries, too…I think) Some favorites that I always like to try to get to when I’m back: Coopersmith’s (great pub/microbrewery with AMAZING burgers & sandwiches), Avogadro’s Number (their legendary Fried Cheese is the closest thing to heaven…I won’t eat it anywhere else!!!), and in recent years I’ve discovered Lamar’s Donuts. THEBESTDONUTSAROUND…puts Krispy Kreme to shame! And don’t get me started on Cracker Barrel…how I WISH we had one of those out here in California! Oh, and if you like toffee, you have NEVER had anything as good as Vern’s Toffee…locally made. If you don’t think you’ll get to Fort Collins soon…order their toffee online in the meantime…you won’t be sorry! My boyfriend in L.A. tells me not to come back from a FC visit unless I’m carrying a box of Vern’s Toffee!!!

But besides the schools and amazing food, there is nice shopping, plus it’s a GORGEOUS city with tons of green space, parks, etc…great if you’re a biker as the bike lanes in most places are as wide as the roads! Close to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, which are amazing in the Fall (when the Aspen trees turn colors) and the winter (when their barren white trunks set against the white snow). Some fun shopping/eating/sightseeing up at Estes…and there are even some casinos within a couple of hours drive (Central City, Blackhawk, etc.) if you’re into that. Plus, it’s SAFE; it’s a college town so most people are very educated and progressive-minded; there are four distinct, beautiful seasons (although don’t let the idea of “snowy winters” scare you, as it is so dry and sunny there that even the heaviest snow usually melts within several days, unlike the treacherous midwest); it’s only an hour north of Denver so heading down for a Broncos, Rockies or Avalanche game (IF you can get tickets!!) isn’t too big of a trip; plus Colorado’s new minor league hockey team, the Colorado Eagles, play out at the new Budweiser Center just outside of town in Windsor…which is SO much fun (Colorado LOVES its sports teams)!!

Anyway, can you tell I love it? The people are warm and REAL, and family oriented (and believe me, I know the difference after having lived in L.A. for nearly 18 years now)…it’s just a very, very special place. Everyone I’ve ever spoken to that’s been to Fort Collins (or most anywhere in Colorado, actually), has loved it, and made an immediate promise to themselves to go back.

I hope for those of you who have never been, you will definitely consider it — either to visit, or even better, to LIVE. Have fun!!!