After much anticipation our family along with some of our extended family headed our for a trip to Estes Park, Colorado. It had been about 7 years since I had been to Colorado, and my youngest child had never been there.
We spent a lot of time together that week, starting with the car trip. After so much time in the car it was great to see the mountains and even better hiking around in them. We started with Bear Lake then made our way over the snow (!!) to Alberta Falls.
and then we headed back to spend some quality time changing the flat tire. Yep. We heard it hissing before we headed out for the hike.
We also spent a lot of time together checking out the wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park, and even all over town.
We also saw some moose but my pictures are not that great.
And just looking at the mountains and smelling the pine trees.
We also ate a bit of ice cream from Munchin's and got to hang out in the bookstore for awhile to avoid a hailstorm.
The top priority for my daughter on this trip was to ride horses, so some of us did a trail ride:
Later some of us took the drive over Trail Ridge Road to the other side of the mountains:
We all went on the jeep ride through some of the backroads of south part of the National Park. I got a bit worried about the dust all over my camera by the end but it seems to be ok.
And we also rode on the aerial tram up a mountain:
We stayed in a VRBO property outside of Estes Park, with plenty of room for all of us and space outside to roam. And deer and elk. And supposedly bears but thankfully did not seem them snooping around.
My son's top priority was to climb a mountain. I wanted to as well and worked to find us one that was doable for us low landers, one that could be accomplished in a morning before the storms, and yet still significant enough to be called a mountain climb. We chose Deer Mountain and headed up the last day of the trip.
We made it up in two hours. Success! The view on top, and all along the trail, was so beautiful and such a perfect way to end our trip.
So thankful for the opportunity to spend some extra time with family in such a beautiful, peaceful setting and admittedly a little sad as we hit the road to leave the place. Until next time!
We spent a lot of time together that week, starting with the car trip. After so much time in the car it was great to see the mountains and even better hiking around in them. We started with Bear Lake then made our way over the snow (!!) to Alberta Falls.
We also spent a lot of time together checking out the wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park, and even all over town.
And just looking at the mountains and smelling the pine trees.
We also ate a bit of ice cream from Munchin's and got to hang out in the bookstore for awhile to avoid a hailstorm.
The top priority for my daughter on this trip was to ride horses, so some of us did a trail ride:
Later some of us took the drive over Trail Ridge Road to the other side of the mountains:
We all went on the jeep ride through some of the backroads of south part of the National Park. I got a bit worried about the dust all over my camera by the end but it seems to be ok.
And we also rode on the aerial tram up a mountain:
We stayed in a VRBO property outside of Estes Park, with plenty of room for all of us and space outside to roam. And deer and elk. And supposedly bears but thankfully did not seem them snooping around.
My son's top priority was to climb a mountain. I wanted to as well and worked to find us one that was doable for us low landers, one that could be accomplished in a morning before the storms, and yet still significant enough to be called a mountain climb. We chose Deer Mountain and headed up the last day of the trip.
We made it up in two hours. Success! The view on top, and all along the trail, was so beautiful and such a perfect way to end our trip.
So thankful for the opportunity to spend some extra time with family in such a beautiful, peaceful setting and admittedly a little sad as we hit the road to leave the place. Until next time!
Such a lovely place! We were last there about 15 years ago - need to go back soon. Thanks for the nice photos - I'm glad your family had such a great vacation.
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