Kid-free in Colorado!

Our plane landed in Denver, Colorado and we drove to Glenwood Springs, which was a little less than 3 hours. We checked into our hotel and got a bit of sleep before we were up with the sun to start our first full day in Colorado.

Day 1: Glenwood Springs, CO

First stop: Hanging Lake! This was the main reason we drove the distance - also the main reason we woke up with the sun. Apparently the parking gets really packed early on and we didn’t want to take any chances. It was a beautiful nature adventure! The hike was a little more than a mile and while it starts off on a flat paved road, be prepared to hike up rocky paths. The views were absolutely worth it!

Next stop: Whitewater rafting

To be honest, this is one thing I never imagined I would actually do. I had an irrational fear about it- we did not book in advance because it was a last minute adventure as we were scheduling out our day. If I had time to think about it - I would have chickened out (again, irrational). It was SO much fun and not at all scary. We checked in, had a brief safety instruction whole group and then loaded onto a bus (I have to admit, it felt like a youth group trip) and parked and we all carried the raft to the water. We went down 3 different times and I enjoyed each one. I do tend to get motion sickness but I wasn’t effected too badly. (If I planned ahead, I probably would have taken something). Would I recommend it and would I go again? YES and YES! It was such an exhilarating way to experience such an iconic part of Colorado.

Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park

We woke up early in Glennwood Springs and hopped right in the car and headed back east (towards Denver) and decided to travel the Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove about 2.5 hours (from about 7:00am - 9:30am) to Grand Lake, CO. We stopped a cute bakery: Bluewater Bakery with incomparable chocolate croissants. We enjoyed the out on a beautiful dock. We considered renting a paddle board or kayak but had a long drive ahead of us and weren’t quiet dressed for it. There were a few local, quaint shops that we popped in before heading to the trails.

Coyote Valley Colorado River Trail in Never Summer Wilderness

We picked this hike because it was a shorter, easier one. It had a clear hiking path along the river and we ended up just turning around when we decided it was time to get back in the car. We did a lot of driving but a lot of roadside overlooks! We ended the trip in Estes Park. I could have spent a week exploring Estes Park and hiking - but we will save that for another trip! Total driving (plus our short hike) 10:00am - 4:00pm. We had to cut it close for time because the whole reason we ended up in CO was for a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert - which was happening in Denver at 8pm! (Yes - we made it there on time - and YES the concert was everything I hoped it to be and more.)

Day 3: Denver, Co

We were so excited to get a challenging hike in this morning. I did quite a bit of research to decide which on to do that would fit best into our schedule and The Royal Arch Trail was perfect! It started out super easy but we quickly found the challenging aspects and it was absolutely longer than we expected. Looking back, I was not properly dressed and we didn’t pack enough water - but the views were worth it!

Unfortunately our concert was not at Red Rocks but we still wanted to check it out - and add it to the bucket list! I absolutely want to come back and see a concert here!

Down to Colorado Springs!

Ok - The Garden of the Gods and I go way back to my student teaching days. I was just in the classroom for a week observing a teacher, who had a student teacher as well. Anyway, the student teacher was introducing herself to the class and she was from Colorado. She showed the class her favorite place on earth: Garden of the Gods. I was smitten and I made a mental note: visit Garden of the Gods. And so, years later: here I landed! it was breath-taking. There was so much to see and do. I would absolutely come back here with my kids!

This wonderful trip was a birthday/8 year anniversary gift rolled up in one. It was a short trip, I hate to be away from the kiddos for too long - but the memories and adventures we had was worth it all.

This is life in my lane, I hope it helps you navigate yours.

Christy Smith