By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Trail Ridge Road – Rocky Mountain National Park
Last week, husband and I spent six days in Estes Park, Colorado. We love the Rocky Mountain National Park, and often retreat there. We work at home, so unless we leave, we don’t have a break.
We packed our coats, scarves, gloves, and hiking boots for a March getaway. Once in Estes Park, we rented Microspikes instead of snow shoes to reach trails that our hiking boots tended to slip on icy spots. Here’s the link – http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/
Nymph Lake at Glacier Gorge
The magic worked. We hiked the open trails, took mounds of photos, and looked for elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and whatever wildlife that popped into view.
It was hard to recall the lily pads on the frozen Nymph Lake.
Alberta Falls – Ice beauty
Climbing to Alberta Falls thrilled us. Through the ice, we could see water flowing, awaiting spring.
The high elevation refreshed us. Note! We drank plenty of water to stay hydrated.
What’s for lunch?
However, we didn’t expect this afternoon guest >>>
What is your favorite area to vacation?
Enjoy the sounds of a trickling mountain stream.
Love your pics!!!!
xoxoxo
Hi Julie, and we really had fun – and relaxed.
We love the same area, but 1 of the reasons is to visit our daughter & son-in-law that lives near there. Anyway, we prefer the mountains.
Hi Janet , you are so lucky!
We went Camping with five Kids to Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park but in summer–not winter, although there was snow in pockets in the mountains. The children made snowmen and we had a snowball fight in July wearing shorts and tee-shirts. Glad you had a restful time. I love nature.
Hi Victoria Marie, what fun! I love the Rockies – no matter what the season.
If you are at all interested in classical music, then next time you go to Estes during the summer, check out the concerts at Rocky Ridge Music Centre. It’s a music camp located on Hwy 7, about 10 (?) miles south of Estes, at the foot of Long’s Peak.
I’ve only been there during the summers (hence my knowledge of RRMC, as I am a former student of the camp), but it was just as beautiful then!!
Thanks for reviving some good memories!
Hi Lynn, thank you! We’ll definitely check that out the next time we’re in Estes Park.
I love Gatlinburg,TN
Hi Sheila, Gatlinburg is a sweet area. Haven’t been there for a few years, but it was a great visit.
Kalispell,MT. Just a breath of fresh air!
Oh DiAnn….LOVE that trickling stream – – so very soothing. 🙂
What a wonderful vacation you had. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’m not exactly a “world traveler” LOL but of the places I have traveled (in the US) I’d have to say the Smoky Mountains (particularly east TN) are still my favorite area. In fact, my husband is planning for us to retire there in the not-too-distant future, so we’ll see! Thank you again for this post and the stream video. 🙂
Hi Patti Jo, retiring in the Smoky Mountains . . . Down home people and mountains. I might have to visit you!
I love the mountains. Jeff and I took a vacation to Banff, Alberta. The Rockies are beautiful! I just got back from Punta Cana and I gotta say . . . the beaches are so pretty too! It’s hard to say which are better. Each has their own beautiful sites. All of God’s creations!
Hi Darlene, I often ask myself, do I prefer the beaches or the mountains. Always mountains. 🙂
I would love to go to that spot. Wildlife at the door! What’s for dinner? Oh deer, it’s a good thing you don’t like game food. That looks like a great spot. I can boast that I visited Colorado Springs. What a great four days! My favourite spot is Abbotsford, British Colombia, near the Rockies.
Hi Frances, if it’s in the mountains, I’ll love it. Always drawn there.
Funny thing…my husband and I have traveled to many different places that we truly enjoyed. So many great memories to remember. But my favorite place to visit was always my mother’s house in New York. I could curl up in my favorite chair and talk, or not, about whatever came to mind.
Sadly, Mom is gone. The house has new owners. My favorite chair sits in my living room now. And I thank God for the million memories she left for me. So, to answer the question, my favorite place is now “memory lane”.
Hi Kathi, thanks for posting. You’re right – the best place is always where the best memories live.
We’ve never been but would love to go.
You will never regret the beauty!
Once we just went all over our own state of Ohio. We found out there is so much to see and its the most beautiful state we been in so far. Of course I may be a be prejudice. LOL I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time. Vacations can be so refreshing. God bless you!
Thanks Pat, I grew up in Ohio, and it is a beautiful state. Here in Houston we don’t have much “rolling” countryside.
I love Rocky Mountain Park and am lucky enough to live close enough to make a day of it. Many people don’t appreciate it’s winter beauty. I’m hoping to go there this week for some snowshoeing. Glad to hear your trip was great.
Hi Cindy, You are so lucky! I handled the cold very well until the last day when snow turned to hail and then ice. Guess I needed more clothes to stay warm!
My cousins went to Estes Park every year. I have never been, but hubby and I do enjoy camping at Yellowstone.
Hi Kathleen, I’ve been to Yellowstone, and it’s incredible. Loved the buffalo.
I have a favorite camping site. When my husband sets up the camper, the door opens up to Saginaw Bay. As soon as I step out, it’s a short walk to the bay, about 10 steps, and I’m able to watch one of my favorite birds, the Great Blue Heron, who always has a nest there!! The beach is great for collecting shells, and whatever strikes my fancy, and behind us is a wooded area for collecting pine cones. At night, the sound of the waves lulls us to sleep. The sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, and to me, it’s Heaven!!
Hi Peggy, I’ve never been in Saginaw, but it sounds beautiful!
The Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The best time to go is in the fall. The colors are beautiful. The weather is great. We’ve been in the summer and winter but, one time we went in the fall and loved it.
Hi Doris, I often teach in the fall at a writer’s retreat at Ridge Crest, NC, near Asheville. The colors are beautiful!
NICE! Love Estes Park! Had the opportunity once to go…would love someday to go back with my hubby! God Bless your rest!
Hi Karen, The Rocky Mountain National Park area is our special time-to-rest place.
Fun times, DiAnn! Vacations are refreshing in many ways. They give us true alone time with our husbands, down time from household responsibilities, they rejuvenate our imaginations, make us laugh, relax, and rediscover ourselves. Vacations give us a refreshing outlook on life, our relationship with Christ, our relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances. Everyone should make time for a vacation! I’m thrilled to hear about yours, and I like your window guest!!
Hi Loretta, Thank you for commenting. The funny part of the deer in the window is I hiked by myself to a remote spot inside the park to find deer. And I did! A whole bunch with babies. I walked as close as I could without scaring them. Of course none of my pics were as good as the peeping-tom.