Steamboat Pilot & Today

Spring fever

Steamboat Springs — Finally. Spring has unleashed its sunny skies, warm weather and bike-riding aficionados. Everyone was outside this weekend, including the blooming wildflowers and grass-eating dogs.

Everyone also had the same great idea of taking advantage of the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant's rooftop patio. A rooftop table is always well worth the wait.

Spring is a great time to go blonde, as well. I let hair stylist Sam Bennett bleach part of my hair for my first-ever blond (highlight) experience. I'll let you know in a couple weeks if blondes have more fun.

Another miracle of spring I discovered is chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, called "Sunny Seed Drops," which are available at Kum & Go.

Dance fever

Once a dancer, always a dancer - but maybe a dancer on hiatus with a busy schedule. I am so grateful to Wendy Smith Mikelsons of Children's Danceworks for offering a jazz and modern sampler of classes on Monday nights. Each class has a different instructor, slightly different style of dance and gives us a chance to stretch those muscles we forgot we had. Thanks.

- Allison Plean

Springing to a new home

Ahhh, spring. A time not only of blooming flowers, green hillsides and fast-flowing rivers, but also of carpet cleaners, crammed cardboard boxes and carloads of personal possessions. Moving season is under way and, this year, I am caught in the mix. While the move is physically less than three miles, mentally, it's a big leap. I'm going from solo living to three condo-mates - two of whom I have just met - from a kitchen of my own to a shared fridge, and from Old Town to uptown on Hilltop Parkway.

I'm also moving into cheaper rent, newer appliances and two decks with gorgeous views. A grill and Jacuzzi-style bathtub come with the place, as does an increased social life via the fuller house.

But no more living-room-air-guitar to Guns N' Roses while getting dressed in the morning. We all have to make sacrifices, sometimes. Viva la spring, and viva la change.

- Mike Lawrence