jfawp

Our trip today started on Hwy. 160. Another beautiful drive. Usually when we travel, I get a lot of naps in, but almost everywhere we drove it was just to pretty to nap, so no nap today. We debated all the way there whether to stop at the Great Sand Dunes and as we neared the turn-off I heard the signal light blinking. Yipee! We saw so many mule deer going out I was afraid we'd never get there, but we did. It was another of God's great creations. We saw someone way, way over on top of the dunes, it must have taken them most of the day to get there. We didn't have that much time, but enjoyed them for quite some time before it was time to head out again, seeing more mule deer and this time an antelope and some elk. I was so glad we made that stop.

It was getting dark by the time we headed out, but decided to drive to Pueblo before stopping for the night. We went through another mountain pass and it was snowing again. It had been a couple of weeks since we'd had snow and I was thrilled to see it again.

By now the Aspen were beginning to fade, but oh, how I had enjoyed them. I must have 100 or more pics of Aspen. I just couldn't get enough. If this report wasn't so long I'd tell you a funny story about some dreams I've had on this trip about the Aspen. . . .

Our next stop was Royal Gorge. I thought this was going to be a short stop, but we ended up spending most of the day here. The gorge was beautiful. We walked the bridge, saw the film, road the tram and the other thing that went across the gorge. It was so cold down in the gorge we didn't tarry long. Hubby was a little nervous as we rode over the gorge, but I was just happy to be there!

We got into Colorado Springs to late in the evening to go to Pike's Peak or 7 Falls, they were both closed. Oh well, maybe we'll pass this way again.

We spent our last night in Denver. I know it is a wonderful city, but I was a little homesick for the hills and wildlife. I think we'll have to come back and just spend some time in Denver and Colorado Springs. I was really disappointed in the Mall on 16th St, but after the trip we had just had, I just wasn't into shopping.

We spent our last night going to an IMax theater to see "Where the Wild Things Are".

And that's my trip report (finally)

It was an absolutely amazing and wonderful vacation. This vacation made me stop and think a lot. People (including me) whine and complain about life, hardships, ups and downs, health, wealth and anything and everything else. I think God made our earth so beutiful so sometimes we can just step back and forget all our worries and woes and focus on Him and His creation. We certainly saw God's handiwork in every aspect of our trip, but we can see that same handiwork out our own back door if we only take the time.

That's my trip report. I'll start a new post soon to get some advise on where to start looking for my next trip!! Thanks for all the great comments. Jean

emalloy

Great report, so glad you had a fantastic trip and can look to making plans for your next trip, return in a different season and hit some of the fantastic places in New Mexico too.

Thanks

easytraveler

This is such a great trip report! I got a bit dizzy trying to follow you zigzagging across the Mountain States! (Just kidding!).

You've inspired me to revisit places long tucked away in memory or places never been to before.

Pictures soon?

Thanks again for sharing!

jfawp

Just started uploading some of the pics thru Snap Fish. These first ones are of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I've never used Snap Fish before. If this works - I'll get some more on here ASAP.

http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailsh...NAME=snapfish/

Let me know if you were able to view them. Jean

easytraveler

Wow! GREAT PICTURES!

Got through fine on Snapfish. Had to sign up, but it said that the sharing is free, so no problems there.

Was that the snowstorm you had to drive through?

Waiting for more!

jfawp

Well really that was the start of the first one, but this was just a dusting according to one of the locals! We ran out of that snow when we left E.P. and back into it only much worse when we crossed that first pass. Some of those pictures should be on my next bunch. I'm having to sort thru them and pick out a few of the best from each area cause we took several thousand!! What do you use to put pics on here? I've never done much of that, but Snap Fish seemed to work fine.