Double Black Diamonds & Thai Iced Tea: Our Anniversary in the Mountains

Every journey begins with a rhythm.
For us, it started with a special nail appointment at Alora and a Mavericks smoothie split into 2 with whip cream and chocolate chips from Surf Box. Little rituals that ground us in the now and whisper: something beautiful is about to unfold.

We kissed Zuma goodbye and dropped her off in rainy and lush hills of Arenal, where she settled in as if she knew we were off to refill our own cups. Then we flew, leaving the salty warmth of Costa Rica for snow-kissed peaks and a crisp new chapter.

Coming Back to the Mountain

It had been five years since we last snowboarded.

I’ll be honest, I felt nervous and Alex was of course, psyched!

Strapping into my board on that first day, I had butterflies in my stomach. My muscles remembered what to do, but my mind whispered:
Can I still do this?
What if I fall?
What if I’ve lost it?

But like most things in life, you just begin.
One run at a time.
One little win at a time.

Over the next few days, confidence slowly returned. I found my rhythm. I remembered the joy of carving through fresh powder, the freedom of flying downhill, the satisfaction of doing something that used to scare you.

And then came the big moment.

After a few solid days of riding, I found myself on the Imperial Express SuperChair, 12,840 feet above sea level and home to some of the most challenging runs in North America.

The wind was sharp. The air, thin. Below us: a double black diamond.

I paused.
Took a breath.
And dropped in.

It wasn’t flawless. But it was mine. A win I earned not through perfection, but through courage.

I’ll never forget how that felt, being scared, and doing it anyway.

The Altitude of Everything

Breckenridge wasn’t just about snow, it was about movement, play, and pushing our limits in every direction.

One afternoon, we played a set of tennis on the highest elevation court in North America. The ball bounced higher. The air made every rally feel like a workout. And we couldn’t stop laughing. The altitude challenged us, but it also made every moment feel light and playful, a reminder that we can find joy in unexpected places when we let ourselves try.

A Night Beneath the Stars

One of the most unforgettable nights came outside of Breckenridge, at Red Rocks Amphitheater.

We saw Wiz Khalifa perform under a blanket of stars, surrounded by towering red stone and a sea of energy. There’s something spiritual about music in that space. The way the bass echoes off ancient rock, the way the stars lean in a little closer.

We danced. We laughed. We let it all in.
It felt like the kind of memory you know you’ll carry forever.

Food We’ve Been Dreaming Of

After full days on the mountain, we refueled in the most comforting way: Thai food.

Warm, aromatic green curry, healing noodle soup, and the creamiest Thai iced tea with pearls became our favorite reward. Spicy, soulful, and grounding—it reminded us of home in the most unexpected place.

Especially on the night of our second wedding anniversary.

I wasn’t feeling well that night. Instead of dressing up or going out, we stayed in. Ordered Thai. Watched a surf competition from halfway across the world. And just relaxed together.

It was quiet. Real. And honestly, exactly what we needed.

Celebrating Us

The next day, when I was feeling better, we celebrated properly with dinner at Blue River Bistro, a cozy, elegant spot with live music humming softly in the background.

We toasted with alcohol-free champagne (we’ve been 18 months alcohol-free and loving it), shared bites of buttery salmon and melt-off-the-bone short ribs, and ended with a flame-kissed marshmallow dessert that tasted like childhood and celebration all in one.

We looked across the table at each other with that steady kind of love.
Two years married.
Many adventures behind us.
Even more ahead.

The Kind of Magic You Can’t Buy

Breckenridge gave us more than snow, it gave us moments that will last forever.

Moments of challenge.
Moments of peace.
Moments that stitched us even closer together.

We laughed hard. We breathed deep. We danced in boots, played in snow, ate good food, and made space for both bold adventure and deep stillness.

We returned home, with tired legs, full hearts, and a little mountain magic tucked quietly in our bones.

If You’re Still Reading… This is For You

Say yes to the trip.
Even if it’s been years. Even if you’re scared.
Even if it’s not perfect.

Pack the bags. Hug the dog. Dance under the stars. Stay in when you need to. Eat the curry. Say the toast anyway.

Because life isn’t just about the highlights.
It’s about the heartbeats in between.

With so much love,
Alex, Steff & Zuma