First stop in Colorado after arriving in Denver was to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. I followed the rules and bought a timed entry. Based on flight arrival and drive time I purchased 12-2 entry time. Little did I know that after 2:00 you don’t need a timed entry and we got to the entrance at 1:50pm. Cars were waiting on the side of the road for 2:00.
We began the beautiful drive on a perfect blue bird sky day.
I was reading Following Isabella Travels in Colorado Then and Now on the plane and how she climbed Longs Peak. All the years I’ve lived in Colorado I never hiked the big mountains. After reading about Isabella and seeing the peak from the road, the next time I come back I want to climb it. The picture above features Longs Peak in the distance.
We drove through Grand Lake and Granby to arrive at Winter Park for dinner with George and Shawn. We ate at Randy’s which happens to have the best Shepards Pie. It was great catching up with them and seeing pictures of their grandchildren.
The next morning I drove back to Granby to revisit a place I lived for five years. The above picture was my view from the house – looking west to the sunset and these sage covered hills. I was a bit sentimental and sad, and missed living here. I saw the places where I hiked, mountain biked, trail ran, skied, cross country skied, and walked. I missed doing all of this.
Then, as I was driving back to Winter Park, I thought: I’ve mountain biked and hiked so much in this county. I lived my best life here. I did everything. I didn’t get the guy but I did everything – I lived my live out loud. I tried everything. I gave it my best shot. It was a good life living in Colorado and I chose to leave for other opportunities.
This thinking made me instantly feel better. I didn’t waste any time here. I learned so much that has brought me to this exact moment right now. I don’t have to be sad about it anymore.
Next stop: up and over Berthoud Pass. Here’s a picture of me and Mark at the top of the pass. I used to love hiking from this trailhead when I lived here. We walked around and took in the views, then on to Leadville.
I opted to stay in Keystone to switch it up from Copper Ski Resort the last time I attempted Leadville 100. I like to be away from the fray, to relax before a race. Plus, I haven’t spent much time in Keystone so it was fun to discover.
On race morning we woke up at 2am and then out the door to get to the race start by 4am. The energy at the start was so fun. I knew I wasn’t going to make it very far but I wanted to start. Leadville is an iconic race and I want to finish it. But alas, I dropped at the first aid station. The above pictures is Turquoise Lake as the sun rose. I took the shuttle back to Leadville and Mark picked me up. We headed back to Keystone.
I love this race so much because it’s so hard and I want to do hard things. I sometimes think I am super woman and can do anything I set my mind on. But the last few years I have menopause brain; and my brain is not working well. I still have big mountain dreams and goals; I want to finish a 100 mile trail run. But maybe I will attempt a 100 mile race at sea level.
The next day, Sunday, I drove to Steamboat. I’ve been wanting to go back and revisit the place I lived for three years and hike some of the places I hiked with my first dog, Abbey. First stop was Fish Creek Falls.
I hiked in the area almost every morning with Abbey. The falls are so pretty and the trails have spectacular views.
This is the view from the Uranium Mine trail. This trail is just before you arrive at the Fish Creek Falls parking lot. I have great memories of snowshoeing this trail with Abbey.
I later met up with a friend from Granby who now lives in Steamboat. Betsy and I caught up on our lives. I would love to live back here and hope some day to. I’d have to win the lottery to afford it, but the Yampa Valley is special. On the drive back to Keystone I remember all the spots along the way from the hundred of times I’ve been on Route 40: moving to Granby, driving to the airport, driving to Silverthorne. From Rabbit Ears Pass and the rocky mountains in view, to the winding roads and a hope to spot an antelope.
On Monday, the last day Mark and I drove from Keystone to Canon City to visit the Royal Gorge. Since I work at an attraction with a bridge I was excited to do a little competitive research.
The bridge was very fun to walk on. I loved the view of the Arkansas River. We timed it perfectly to see rafters, kayakers and the Amtrak train.
Then we headed to the airport. Vacation over. I can’t wait to go back.