Engagement: Brittany Megan DeGroff and Travis Joe Mraz

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Mr. and Mrs. Michael DeGroff, formally of Steamboat Springs, residing in Lake Tahoe, California, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Brittany Megan to Travis Joe Mraz, son of Rocky and Holly Mraz of Auburn, California.

Brittany received a bachelor of fine arts in dance performance from Chapman University. She is a retail buyer for Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Ski Resorts in Olympic Valley, California.

Travis received a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Hawaii. He is the sales director at West Shore Café & Inn in Homewood, California.

A fall wedding is planned in Lake Tahoe, followed by a honeymoon to Hawaii.

Anniversary: Mike and Sarah Limberg

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Mike and Sarah Limberg are celebrating their fifth anniversary and first year living in Steamboat Springs. After six years in Denver, visiting as often as they could, they finally call Steamboat their home. They recently added Ruby, a 9-week-old German shepherd/border collie to their family.

Dream road trip becomes a reality for Steamboat couple

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — It takes a certain level of comfort to embark on a month-long road trip with a significant other.

“We can talk about those needs and wants that are not superficial — like pooping while we’re camping, or if we’re hungry (hangry),” said Natalie Teer, Steamboat resident originally from Destin, Florida. “Someone you can just be filthy around, not worrying about the fact that you haven’t showered in a few days.

“But, I think it also takes a lot of honesty and patience,” Teer said. “You see a different side of that person.”

Especially when the road winds through the deserts of Utah and Nevada, northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Mount Hood, Olympic National Park, Jasper National Park, Banff, Montana and Wyoming.

No fancy hotels, airbnbs or bed and breakfasts — but rather a rooftop tent.

This particular tent – a Tepui tent – will be home for Steamboat couple Brian McSorley and Teer who recently won the rooftop tent through Tepui’s inaugural “Endless Adventure Contest.”

On Saturday, May 12 the couple, who moved to Steamboat in December 2016, will embark on their month-long dream road trip, checking of bucket-list worthy locations and pursuing outdoor activities at each location along the way.

“Having those moments where we both feel a little out of our element — that’s what doing a trip like this is all about,” Teer said. “It’s part of the process to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

The idea started when a friend mentioned the Tepui contest, in which hundreds of applicants conjured their dream road trip — the who, what, where, why, when and how long — by submitting a short video.

Tepui – Year of Endless Adventure – Brian & Natalie from Natalie Teer on Vimeo.

“The idea came from our company tagline, “Endless Adventure,” said Beth Brennan, Tepui marketing manager. “We were inspired by all of the trips our customers were dreaming up and the revival of the road trip.”

In April, Tepui picked ten winning groups and gave them $2,000 each and the gear to support the trip, which had to happen prior to September 30, 2018.

Per the contest requirements, winners are responsible for producing photos, videos and blog posts during their trips that will be shared on Tepui’s platforms throughout the year.

After the trips are over, the rooftop tent, outdoor adventure company will award an additional $2,000 to the five participants who submit the best footage.

“We found Natalie and Brian to be very personable and down to earth,” Brennan said. “We loved seeing the adventures they’ve already had and felt confident that they had a well laid plan for their trip.”

“We’re going to be playing some serious Tetris,” said Teer, of their Subaru Forester that will soon be full of gear for every season and any inclement weather surprises.

Growing up in Destin, Florida, Teer and McSorley never met while in Florida, even though he worked as a snorkeling guide there in the summer. It was in 2015, camping near Big Bend, Oregon, they officially and serendipitously met through mutual friends.

“We haven’t dedicated our trip to a specific sport that we plan to focus on, but more so a bunch of things that we want to try to do because that’s how we imagined our dream road trip – doing a lot of different activities in places we’ve always wanted to visit,” Teer said.

“We’re a jack of all trades as far as outdoor activities go,” said McSorley, who works as a bike instructor and guide during the summertime on the mountain.

While both were outdoor enthusiasts prior to moving to Colorado, the yearn for adventure grew even brighter in Steamboat, which led them to pursue this trip.

“I feel like pursuing something like this or going camping and getting outside in general gives us that reset that we need sometimes,” Teer said.

“This trip especially will give us a chance to pump the breaks on reality, to take a step back and live simple,” McSorley said. “We have a general itinerary but no set, normal routine.”

They plan to go hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, fishing and more taking in the grandeur of peaks and endless horizons.

“We’re going to places that are a little farther and different than the typical Utah getaway that we’re used to here in Steamboat,” Teer said. “Even if we hadn’t won the contest, we would’ve done a trip like this anyways.”

As the two are packing and planning this week, the unknown road that lies ahead beckons adventure, and they’re ready to get started — with, of course, a little bit of extra patience.

“It absolutely takes a certain level of patience first and foremost — I need to remember patience when we leave this room” said Teer, smiling in McSorley’s direction discussing the to-dos left to cross off the list.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1.

Jan 23, 2011 – Engagement Announcement

Kathleen Marie Button and Grayson James Lewis, of Silt, announce their engagement.
Kathleen is the daughter of Doug and Jean-Marie Button, of Clark. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, Calif., in 2004 and is a pastry chef at The Pullman in Glenwood Springs.
Grayson is the son of Jeffie and Crickett Lowery and Danny Lewis, of Pampa, Texas. He graduated from Vernon College in Vernon, Texas, in 2000 and works in the energy industry in Garfield County.
The couple will marry June 18, 2011, at the Button Ranch at Pearl Lake.

Jan 5, 2011 – Engagement Announcement

Dave and Brenda Lyons, of Craig, announce the engagement of their son, Bo Lyons, to Myranda Chesnut, daughter of Jerry Leabo, of St. Johns, Ariz., and Donna Churchwell, of Grandbury, Texas. Arrangements are pending.

Jan 2, 2011 – Engagement Announcement

Katherine Jesse Houck and Konrad Wilhelm Lehnert announce their engagement.
Katherine is the daughter of Carl P. and Joan M. Houck, of Steamboat Springs. Konrad is the son of Werner S. and Mary Lehnert, of Tulsa, Okla.
Katherine graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder and St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s City, Md. She is a business consultant with Employment Law Training. Konrad graduated from Bartlesville High School, Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif., and the University of California Santa Barbara. He is a professor of physics at the University of Colorado and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The wedding is planned for June 18, 2011, at St. Catherine’s Chapel in Allenspark, Colo.

Dec 16, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement

Clint and Jean Cooper, of Calhan, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 16, 2010. They will be honored at a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at the LDS Church Cultural Hall in Calhan. This special occasion is open to all friends and relatives. They have six children and eleven grandchildren. Congratulations to our parents!

Nov 20, 2010 – Wedding Announcement

Tim and Kelli Litzau were married Nov. 20, 2010, at Crooked Vine Winery in Livermore, Calif. Tim is the son of Rob and Lynne Litzau, of Steamboat Springs. Kelli is the daughter of Lorry and Ed Howard, and Danny and Dee Moreland. The matrons of honor were Kerri Quaid and Katie Moreland. The best men were Andrew Litzau and Michael Litzau. The flower girl was Reagan Quaid, and the ring bearer was Riley Litzau. Tim and Kelli and their son, Cole, live in Livermore. Tim is a general manager for Cheesecake Factory in Pleasanton, Calif., and Kelli is a wedding planner.

May 15, 2010 – Wedding Announcement

Mackenzie Frank and Derek Nickum were married May 15, 2010, at Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton.
They are the children of Lois and Bob Frank, and Carolyn and Brad Nickum, of Steamboat Springs.
The bridal party included Hannah Katz, Christine Finn, Kelsey Comeau, Hanzi Deschermeier, Patrick Kuczkowski and Scott Frank. Kelly Ascher served as usher.
Mackenzie and Derek enjoyed a honeymoon in Jamaica and now are living in Arvada.