Koops Colorado Vacation 2016

We've done quite a bit of traveling to the National Parks this year.  In May, we pulled the boys from school and flew to CA to see Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.  It was an amazing site to see Half Dome, climb to the top of a Yosemite Falls and stand among the Sequoias in the Giants Forest.  But, it was a trip, not a vacation.  We were on the go and I was packing and unpacking with each stop.

Colorado.  This was a vacation.  Built in time to relax and just enjoy the moment.  Most importantly, we had time to 'be' together.  Relaxing in the morning while drinking coffee and watching the sun rise over Longs Peak as it went from black to purple to gray in the shimmering sun.  Soaking in the hot tub after a long day and making up games with the kids.  Can you guess the abbreviation for GOSO or BVE?  Yes, we saw a lot, but we bonded a lot too.

The vacation.  We started by driving Trail Ridge Road to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was cold at the top but what a view!  Plus there was a gift shop and we are suckers! So begins Jeb's 4 day quest for the perfect t-shirt.  More on that later.  The road down the other side was just as amazing, as we did 2 more hikes, but we were all ready to go home.  Not so fast!  We have to take a picture on the Continental Divide!  The only problem?  No parking!  We finally figured it out, thanks to Dad being willing to park far away and park. (Thanks!)  We realized the sign is in the parking lot and we could have just made a quick stop!  Never mind, we can do one more hike and we were glad we did! As we hiked the small 1 mile hike, we came upon 5 bull elk and 1 female.  We watched in amazement as they were 100 yards from us!  HUGE antlers!  Boy, are we glad we did this hike!

Sunday came upon us fast and we were up early to get to Fort Collins.  White Water Rafting baby!  1 1/2 hours on a class 3 and 4 river! We didn't loose anyone and had a great time!  We spent the rest of the day shopping in Estes Park and Jeb still searched for the perfect t-shirt.

Monday was the day to face the crowds.  SO many people at Bear Lake!  We took the shuttle in and we hiked a bit farther than most of the crowds and went to Emerald Lake. It was so beautiful and Jeb and Aiden were brave enough to take a dip!  Brrr!  A glacier lake is COLD!! It was a very quick swim and then we were off to the old river road with a stop by Tom to look at snow.  But lucky us!  There were moose where we stopped!  Even luckier us, the people standing next to me offered their huge lense to take pictures with!  Found out they are from MI - gotta love those Michiganders!

Tuesday was the big day for hiking!  Up at 6:30 and gone by 7:00.  On the Chasm Lake trail by 7:30. 4.2 miles to get there with a 2,500 feet game equalling 11,823 feet at the top! No problem!  Ugh, forgot about that thin mountain air! We trekked through the forest, the alpine tundra, the rocky edge of the mountain and did it in 4 hours! We were rewarded by an amazing lake surrounded by the walls of Longs Peak.  Only 4 other people there, which was a relief after yesterday! We had lunch (a yellow belly marmot tried to get in on it too!), sat and explored.  I'd love to say the way down was easy, but it was looong!  I was glad to see the end! This was the day that we needed that hot tub when we got home!

Wednesday was our last full day at Estes Park.  Kind of sad to say goodbye!  We were all so tired, but we had to get going.  Jeb still needed the t-shirt.  So, we shopped for an hour to no avail and decided to go into the park for the shirt.  Yes!  This is what he wanted!  Until, he figured out the 'portrait' was meant for the back of the shirt.  Guess what?  We went back to the 1st store we were in that morning and got the shirt!  Oh Jeb!  In between, we sat by the river and leaped across, threw rocks and tried to eat lunch.  Too windy - off the Lake Estes, much better.  We drove off and we all felt kind of sad - no more RMNP.  It was an amazing place. Maybe the kids are growing up and are easier to hike with, maybe we're more laid back, or maybe we just needed time to come together as a family.  Whatever the reason, it worked.

That night we ate and talked about packing.  Tom wanted to do a family walk after dinner and we stumbled upon greatness.  The BEST view of the park at night. If only I would have had my good camera. This just doesn't do it justice.  It was magical.

And so our time came to an end on Thursday morning.  We packed up and headed to Colorado Springs.  We packed it all in.  The Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak (more on that later), Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Garden of the Gods.  Phew!  Pikes Peak was the highlight.  No, we couldn't see for miles at the top.  By the time we were within a mile of the top, it started snowing!  Snowing!  In August! I had a sundress and flip-flops on!  It was quite an experience!  I wouldn't trade it for a clear day ever.  Lots of laughter and some white knuckle driving!

We drove straight through the next day.  There was a feeling of wanting to go home, but a sad feeling of having to leave our family 'bubble.'  I always treasure our vacations together.  This is what memories are made of.  But this one seemed special.  We don't know what the future holds, but our past certainly brings smiles.  Thank you RMNP!