Scenic route through beautiful Colorado Parks and Wilderness & the Adventures along the way.
Ciao, Ciao, Florida.
Enjoy a little background music to feel the vibes of this trip 🖤
We left Florida without a detailed itinerary…. We had a blueprint of what we wanted this trip to look like, but just the bare bones. We wanted big skies, small towns, and trails that would make me feel like the whole world just slipped into silence…. lost to the sounds of the aspen tree leaves shimmering in the wind, like nature’s sequins… (quite literally one of my favorite scenes to witness)
I didn’t want a trip that felt rushed or scripted. This trip is special because it’s the last year spent in my thirties, and I wanted to step into it with intention. I’m not one for big parties or even celebrating myself — something I’m trying to let go of, because life should be celebrated… however, I wanted to do something that stretched time a little, places where I could listen — to the mountains, to the quiet, to myself, and to my love. Colorado felt like the right place to do that.
The basics of our plan included landing in Denver, renting a car, and heading south. We had reserved a room in Colorado Springs at a cute little mid-century modern hotel called Hotel Polaris.
Melon and prosciutto. 10/10
This place was a trip, and ended up being so much more than just a soft landing after a long (delayed) travel day. Perched near the Air Force Academy with views of Pikes Peak, this modern hotel boasts a retro flair without being over the top. The design even included subtle nods to the Academy, clean lines, and aviation touches, including a little pilot bear waiting to greet us in our room. It was a nice mix of playful and relaxing, exactly what we needed.
Hitting The Road.
NO PLANS. NO PROBLEMS.
By the next morning, we were ready to move again. Day one is really about acclimating. Especially if you’re a flatlander like us Floridians. Letting our bodies catch up to the altitude & our minds settle into a new time zone was a priority. To start the morning, I ordered a chai tea at the hotel’s little café (*chef’s kiss)…we grabbed some breakfast at their lobby restaurant and with Chai in hand & full bellies, we packed the bags back into the car and let the drive pull us deeper into the Colorado landscape… leave it to me to leave said Chai tea on post while loading up the car.
For us, part of traveling includes avoiding highways whenever possible. The journey is part of the adventure for us, and it’s really the only way we love to travel. There is something about being on the backroads that makes the trip feel more authentic.
It wasn’t too long before the buildings faded into the rearview and the mountains started to take over the horizon. Stomach full of Dramamine, and lungs full of fresh air, I finally settled into the rhythm of the drive. No agenda, no clock, just the long way toward our next destination.
From Colorado Springs, we chose SR 24 as our route, opting to avoid the highways. Two lanes, winding and open. These shoulders were lined with wildflowers colored in yellows and purples that could have spilled onto the pavement. Independent farms of all sizes stretched on either side of the road … we saw a lot of “farmers doing farmer things”! I especially enjoyed seeing the farms with character.
Old retro Bicycles lined a fence, more than you can count. Some farms propped up their old machinery like it was a showcase of their farm’s history, rusted tractors and plows sitting proudly in the fields, almost like they were put there for the décor. Every few miles, a different perspective presented itself like another postcard… stitched together by that winding two-lane road.
And then came the cows.. And llamas. We passed an entire herd of fluffy cows *with bangs… just grazing… chillin’ in the pasture. They were exactly like you would imagine – cute as a bug’s ear. You slow your roll to enjoy the views here.
The plan was to make it into Crestone to check in by nightfall, but along the way, Salida pulled us in first… This wasn’t our first time in this town, so it was an easy decision to stop for lunch.
Salida.
Salida is Colorado’s largest historic district, boasting a lived-in feel that’s not only welcoming but also captivating. Especially if you come from a big city. The unpolished, artsy feel of this town only adds to its physical charm, and the people I’ve come across both times have always been so sweet. It holds up to the reputation of small-town hospitality. Walking down Salida’s main street feels like stepping into a postcard. Brick buildings from the late 1800s — more than 130 of them — lined the street, many freshly restored but left with a layer of genuine patina that tells the real history, rather than chasing a curated look
Cafés and little shops spill out onto the sidewalks and streets with art galleries and studios tucked in between. Incredibly, the Arkansas River runs right through the town… just another little reminder that you are always entangled with nature.
We grabbed lunch at one of the cutest little sandwich shops called Sweetie’s. This place was recommended to us by a friend a couple of years ago, on our first visit to the town. This time, we got lucky! They were open. It is an entire vibe! It is both a blend of charm and flavor. They offered an impressive eclectic menu with over 60 artisan sandwiches, house-baked pastries, and seasonal soup. Their portions are so generous, and although it probably could have served as two meals… we both left happy and full! The #23…. Is the way to go?
I will dream about this sandwich shop.
After lunch, we wandered around town a little bit, popping in and out of some shops that were open. I’m guessing it was the off-season, because things felt a little quiet. Which was a nice break from some of the crowds in other towns. Just as the thunder started to roll in with the rain clouds, we ducked back into Wade the Wag — (we designated that the name for the beast, which was our rental) … and off we went.
Crestone.
Tiny Town, Big Energy.
The next stop on our Colorado itinerary… was Crestone. And if you have never heard of it, no judgment…neither had we. This town was a first for us. This Airbnb … was also a first for us.
We booked a Stargazing Dome — tucked away in a very remote valley. The view was INCREDIBLE. It sat right at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which are part of the Southern Rockies, and they are absolutely breathtaking. The Dome itself felt like we were in some Martian biodome. There was something about it that was oddly appealing, and the quiet was unbeatable. We saw a variety of wildlife while driving through the town streets, including coyotes and small, cute furry animals that were too speedy to identify, as well as a multitude of wildflowers. It was beautiful.
The little town of Crestone itself was something else entirely. It was one of the most eclectic places either my boyfriend or I had seen!
There was no rhyme or reason to any of the homes around us; in fact, they truly looked like they came straight out of someone’s imagination…. or dreamscape. Half art projects, half domes, and a few manicured. This entire place carried a mix of spiritual retreat energy and a subtle mountain charm…It was exactly what we love about getting out of our comfort zone. And truly, a town we will never forget.
That said, I felt as though the photos were a little forgiving when it came to the aesthetics of this dome. The concept was great, the amenities were excellent, and the space was well-equipped, as advertised. However, it was a shared space, and although it was advertised as a stargazing dome, it was almost impossible to see out past the plastic layer covering the stargazing window. We did have a telescope, which works great outside of the dome. 🙂 And I’m sure that the skylight opening is terrific when it’s cooler outside. For our stay, it would make the dome too toasty… Which again, steady A.C. and steady heat that keeps the dome comfortable. When the sun sets, the temperature drops, and the dome cools quickly with it. Each dome is equipped with a kitchenette, making it easy to store food or snacks, especially since the shared kitchen is nearby.
The fire pit outside is perfect for s’mores or just staring at the Milky Way late at night. You don’t feel as though anyone will bother you, and there are no safety issues we noticed or felt at all. And since Crestone is part of the Dark Sky community, it is worth staying up for it!
kitchenetteCrestDome,Crestone CO.
After settling into our little dome, we popped into their little market, which was stocked with organic and holistic goodies.
We wandered around town and ate at the only restaurant that was open, “The Bliss”. It was good, but it was the only place to eat within a 30-mile radius that was open that day, and the menu was pretty limited. But mostly we just soaked up how different it felt from anywhere else we’d been. The bacon grilled cheese with homemade tomato soup was a solid comfort food choice; we both chose it, and it was paired perfectly with a homemade strawberry soda, which was both yummy & very refreshing.
..
“…A glorious hodgepodge of architectural styles. Solar and other forms of alternative energy are popular… a lot of people wearing tie-dye in Crestone.”
— Article on Crestone’s quirkiness and spiritual character.
The highlight of the next few days for me was getting to hike in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains! This mountain range is truly breathtaking to look at. And I know anyone can say I’m overreacting about the way I feel when I’m in the mountains, but Damn… this place is truly special. Sitting at the base of it, even for a couple of nights, felt unreal. Waking up and falling asleep to nothing but sky and mountains.. I would never trade that for a five-star hotel- never!
Our first morning ☀️
“Go Big, or Go Home.”
The only request I got was “try not to kill me on the first day” — JFo.
I will preface by saying, I usually have zero chill. It’s always either a Hell Yes or a Hell No, and that’s my only gauge… I won’t usually apologize for this, but in this case- my bad, babe. 😇
Willow Lake Trailhead.Clouds rolling through the mountains
So, on that note.
My first pick and the first hike we did was a trail called “Willow Lake Trail.” This is by far my favorite hike of the trip, and honestly, probably overall. But it was also the most difficult.
We got to the trailhead around 8:30 in the morning, which was actually a late start for us, but it didn’t matter. We had the trail to ourselves. There was no fight for parking, no weaving around crowds, just a quiet trailhead…my favorite. AllTrails did warn us that the hike was challenging. But it was a good hard, the kind you push yourself to get through because you know how worth it it ends up being! These views will forever be seared into my memory, imprinted for life.
We made it a little over 4 miles out of the 4.5 miles up, and then the rain and thunder rolled in. We were already about 11,000 ft. high and had no real shelter. We made the executive decision to turn around. The radar did not look good, and it didn’t show any signs of letting up. So we headed back down. I was a little disappointed I didn’t make it to the top, but that is more my ego talking. I am not a huge fan of “calling it”, usually. But I wasn’t going to be stupid about it, and being safe while hiking is much smarter than taking risks, especially when it comes to rain and unfamiliar territory.
Being safe is being smart… I say. We walked back with shaky legs … yes, they were literally shaking going downhill… it was an ongoing joke. It felt like straight out of a cartoon. 🤪 But it was ENTIRELY worth it! It’s these types of hikes that truly motivate me to stay active and fit at home… I work out to be able to climb mountains. And I’m good with that.
For anyone visiting Colorado, making their way past Crestone, I highly recommend stopping for this hike. She’s worth it.
By the time we got back to the dome, we were soaked and on the verge of passing out. Showered, clean, and happy with the noodles we ate at the same Bliss diner… Our feet were sore, our backs ached… we were done for the night. I turned on our stars and fires, then called it a night! No stars that night. Just sleep.
Elephant Cloud muralThe Bliss
The next morning, we felt as though Crestone had given us its best. The oddities, the quirks, the quiet & a hike I’ll truly never forget… or probably live down… My boyfriend said, “I broke him” on this one. Lol, we needed a good full day to recover (he got 2). As eclectic and fascinating as this town was, we didn’t feel the need to stay the third night we had booked. So we ended up leaving a day early… this is why we make minimal plans.
Onward and Upward as we followed the rest of our Colorado itinerary. We packed up Wade and headed South… Then came the Dunes.
CrestDome with starlight.Morning Rainbow Last AM in CrestoneRuby Rose Diner – Crestone, Co.Crestone Karma Stupa.
Great Sand Dunes National Park.
8,000 Feet of Sand and Sky
Choosing to leave Crestone a day early actually gave us the freedom to take an entire day to explore while we drove towards Estes. We were right next to the Great Sand Dunes National Park .. This was my first time hearing about it. Nothing really prepares you for the first sight of them. There are these beautiful white golden dunes sandwiched between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Juan Mountain Range. Both mountain ranges contributed to the creation of these dunes via water erosion.
One minute you’re driving through these gorgeous flat plains, and the next minute you’re sitting between two mountain ranges and a massive sweep of rolling sands. It was as if someone had taken a piece of the Sahara and dropped it in Crestone, Colorado… along with my jaw. It was amazing.
Walking around the dunes feels surreal. They look huge from a distance, but once you’re walking toward them, feet in the sand, you realize just how massive they are… some are over 700 feet tall.
Fun fact, they are constantly reshaping themselves with the wind so they are always changing their shape.
There is a specific color combination that sends me off the deep end, and I only see/feel it in nature. This park had them all. Dark blues and variations of blues, mixed with grey and green, as well as different shades of dark green to yellow — it’s moody, grounding, and a little seductive. Almost impossible to capture on any film I have, and even harder to describe.
We brushed off as much sand as we could. I recommend you bring an extra pair of socks and shoes to change into after venturing out into the sand. You will be dumping out cartoon amounts of sand from your boots…so, with sand still everywhere, we jumped back into Wade and started North.
We planned to make it to Estes, but with a spare night, we decided to stretch our drive out a bit and explore some little towns along the way.
Our next stop turned out to be Buena Vista. This is a little riverside town with so much charm that it again looks like it came out of a Lifetime movie. Main Street felt like a mix of modern charm and a touch of nostalgia, frozen in time. The rain gave the whole town a moody glow, washing everything in soft shades of blues… (my favorite).
While we were in Buena Vista, we decided to stop for lunch. We got lucky again, because this town was not short on food options!
We landed at the Simple Eatery right in downtown. This place was great! It was attached to a small outdoor recreation shop that offered many great brands.
Leadville.
Leadville has this gritty, old mining town energy to it. Brick storefronts, painted signs, and a little more lived-in feel than the other towns we had been through. It felt like we were in the West! But that’s what made it so cool. If you can’t tell already, I’m a sucker for quirky. This had it all. Quirky little shops, diners, and buildings that look like they have been standing since the 1800s… & who’s to say they haven’t been. Lol, not me.
You can almost picture the boomtown chaos that once made this place one of the wealthiest cities in the country.
This was another town where we didn’t stay long. I wanted to keep on the back roads and continue listening to music while we admired the scenery, watching the mountains shift around us.
I knew where I wanted to end up, Breckenridge, Co.
Breckenridge.
One of the cutest little Colorado towns, in my personal opinion.
Gravity Haus. Breckenridge Co.
Breckenridge– felt like a reward. The area offered a wide variety of food options, my favorite little hot chocolate place, and some boutique shopping along its streets. I love Breckenridge. We were lucky enough to take our son up there for Christmas, and we fell in love. There is so much to do, eat, and shop! 🙂
This was primarily about finding a place to stay for the night on the way between Crestone and Estes Park. We had an extra night to kill after driving all day, so we just chose a spot we knew we’d like before. This cute little ski hotel is called The Gravity Hauz. This place is so cute and cozy on the inside. As soon as you check in, there is a great little café with a killer matcha. 🙂 … because your girl doesn’t do coffee. Unpopular opinion, I know.
The room was quaint but cozy and all we needed for the evening. We ordered food from their on-location restaurant, Cabin Juice.
Fresh, all-day nourishment for adventures that don’t quit. — GH
Brussels, Burger, fries, fried zucchini, carrots, and a skillet cookie. I was set. We fell asleep early.
The next morning, after a couple of days to recover and a good night’s sleep behind us. We were ready to get moving again. Stopped for a matcha, of course, then packed the car and headed out for one last stop in town…
Wade took us back out to the open road… This drive was one of my favorites. Driving between these gigantic mountains is such a humbling experience. You feel so small, but there is something profoundly powerful about witnessing such a force. The impact the earth took to create these mountains is written all over their jagged edges and quiet valleys — like a reminder of how temporary we are and how lucky we are to be here to see it.
I was emotional the entire drive through them..
Estes Park.
By late afternoon, we rolled into Estes Park — our final stop. I’ll be honest, I white-knuckled JFo most of the ride from Leadville in. Gorgeous? Absolutely. Guardrails? Nonexistent. My head was buried in his arm for a solid three hours as we hugged those cliff edges. No music, no talking — just me quietly panicking while the Rockies did their thing.
At one point, I found myself halfway in the backseat, instinctively trying to scoot to the “furthest” side away from the drop (like that would help). My logic? If we went over, I’d roll down the back window and jump. Dramatic, I know… but hey, survival instincts are weird. LMAO. Anyway, we made it.
Estes has a little bit of everything — yes, it’s a little touristy, and if there is only one thing to complain about on this trip… it has been my beef with all of the T-shirt shops in this town. EVERY OTHER STORE … and some 3 in a row, was a T-shirt shop. Lol.
Breckenridge, Co.
That aside, it is almost impossible not to fall in love with this town. I feel like everywhere we went, I was looking at real estate for sale — this town I meant it the most. Elk roam the streets freely, and deer lie in front yards. And no matter where you stand, you are surrounded by peaks. It’s a mix of small-town charm and tourist chaos. The locals probably hate the 30-minute traffic stops to watch people retaking pictures of deer… lol… but as one of those humans taking the deer pictures, I have to admit, it’s amusing and it is magical..
It was us. We were tourists.
The real main character, though, is RockyMountainNationalPark. Nothing, I mean nothing, prepares you for it. We had this in the bones of our planning — and had rented a sweet little cabin right in Estes Park, just outside of the RMNP entrance.
RMNP.
The next morning, our first morning in the RMNP, we decided to do a moderate hike we had chosen the night before. We hiked 7 miles out and back, visiting four out of the five lakes: Bear, Nymph, Dream, & Lake Haiyaha. Looking back, I wish there were a way to gauge foot traffic on the trails. You can prepare for weather, elevation, and mileage, but there is nothing that can truly prepare you for the unexpected encounters you might have while chasing the same views.
We had been spoiled on most of our other hikes, and the moderate and easy trails are more popular than the harder ones (which makes the most sense). Either way, we definitely were not alone. We started at Bear Lake Trailhead. For this part of the park, a timed reservation is required to gain entry.
A few practical notes.
Timed entry: For the Bear Lake corridor, we booked the $2 timed-entry PLUS permit the night before at 7:00 p.m. Set an alarm for 6:55 and you’ll be fine — just move fast; they go quick.
Parking sanity: If you’re not an early bird, use the shuttle from the Park & Ride and avoid circling lots.
Crowd-saver: A general rule of thumb is that the early bird catches the worm. Be earlier than you think.
Click here – this will redirect you to the permits page. The parking fills up quickly, so we had to park at the park and ride to catch a bus to the trailhead. It’s about a 15-minute bus ride with three other stops. Again, there was some waiting. But kudos to people who get out and see all the things! I’m not mad at it, I get it.
Even in the crowds, there were pockets of quiet, where it felt like the park just sort of exhales for you. BearLake was the first lake we passed. It’s larger and calm; a darker green pine tree leans into the middle of the lake, making it gorgeous. That was the most crowded part of the trail, also the flattest. Probably not a coincidence. Nymph Lake was the second on the path. It is small and filled with lily pads; it is incredibly dreamy. Like right out of The Secret Garden. It was still pretty crowded here, but people began turning back after this. Dream Lake earned its name in my book, long and narrow with a clean sightline to Hallett Peak; this is the kind of view that makes you forget you’re sharing the trail. Emerald Lake is an option if you choose to veer off to the right. It was overstimulating at points, due to the number of people heading that way, so we decided to go left towards Lake Haiyaha. This is my favorite one yet. It has gorgeous, glacial green water, almost as if someone had turned the saturation all the way up just for it. It was windy, yet still busy — queues of people waited for photo spots. I tried to sit down on a rock and enjoy the moment, but I had three people lining up behind me to sit in the same spot. — It’s a big lake, there are A LOT of rocks… but I’m not a view grinch, so I acquiesce… I mean, again, I get it.
Even these pictures cannot do these views justice.
Our last day in the Rockies.
For our last day in the Rocky Mountains, we decided to look for something a little more secluded. I like the quiet trails, so I don’t mind adding a little extra challenge. Fewer people parade. We drove into the Wild Basin entrance, which instantly felt more isolated than the previous Bear Lake. It was just a long dirt road winding about for 4 miles up to the trailhead.
Ouzel Falls Trail
Ouzel Falls Trail
Ouzel Falls Trail
Ouzel Falls Trail
Ouzel Falls Trail
Ouzel Falls Trail
The hike to Ouzel Falls is about 6 miles round trip, my watch clocked me at almost 7, but whatever… lol. I’m not good enough at math to figure out which is correct. This trail had a little bit of traffic, but not sufficient to fill the parking lot at 7 am. I brought with me my favorite new walking stick that I had found in Crestone, and started into the forest. It was nice to see a couple of park rangers ensuring everyone had what they needed before heading out onto the trail. They turned away a couple of people because they didn’t have enough water. Either way, this is a steady, moderate climb up the mountain to the cascades, which is precisely what I wanted.
The trail layers on the views in stages. First up is Copeland Falls — a spot where the water splits and tumbles over a series of rocks, easy to get to and already beautiful. Then you keep climbing and hit Calypso Cascades.. I will say that there were plenty of older people making this climb at a quicker pace than we were, and we are in pretty good shape. It’s humbling. Lol, like much to do with the mountains I’ve come to find. You walk along the river for most of the hike, giving plenty of opportunities to stop and admire nature … or just rest. But you hear Ouzel Falls before you see it. And you can feel this cold mist on your face, almost like it were sprinkling rain. There are so many switchbacks on the way up, and then you see it. It’s not the tallest or the grandest waterfall in the US by any means, but it is absolutely worth the hike.
The views along the way to the falls were incredible, the falls themselves were breathtaking. This hike quickly became one of my favorite nature walks. The whole trail feels like it’s leading you deeper into the forest just for that feeling of the falls sprinkling water on your face.
We sat on a boulder near the base, let the mist cool us down, and just stayed quiet for a while. No crowds pressing in, no photo lines — just us, the water, and that kind of silence you can only find when the mountains decide to hand it to you. We decided it was time for a snack break, and lucky for us, there were a few friendly chipmunks that would come right up to our feet. Lucky for them. I had trail mix with me.
welcoming thirty-nine.
As another year around the sun began, I watched the light crawl across the Rockies. Between Colorado’s domes and dunes, quiet trailheads and rapids in rivers, we found days that didn’t demand perfection, only presence. Being present… where we were, intentionally living. Watching the mountains shift in the shadows and sun, as they’ve been doing so forever. That’s all I wanted — to mark the moment without fanfare, just listening: to the rivers, to the wind through the aspens, to myself, and to us.
Colorado gave me all of that. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. ❤ Until next time, Colorado. Thanks for the growth, memories, and love I received this week.
