Rocky Mountain High

"The mountains may well be a way of escape -- from the cities and men, from the turmoil and doubt, from the complexities and uncertainties and sorrows that thread our life. But in the truest and most profound sense, it is an escape not from but to reality." -- James Ramsey Ullman

I've only been home from Colorado for a week, and I would already sell my soul to go back. Okay, so I wouldn't really go that far ... anyhoo, the weather was beautiful -- 45 degrees in the town of Estes Park compared to 100 degrees here at home. A weird cold front blew in that we didn't expect, so hubby and I were suckered into buying fluffy sweatshirts in colors only clowns would wear from a gift shop in town -- but hey, at least they were warm!




We did some hiking, a ton of fly fishing and saw more elk than I thought existed.





I even made a new friend at Bierstadt Lake ...



A freek sleet and rain storm caught us while we were fly fishing at Glacier Creek near Bear Lake, and we ended up waiting out the storm under a huge pine tree. By the time we got back to the car, we were shivering and cold. Even our fishing boots filled with water ...



But, that's part of the adventure. And so is falling into the river -- which I only did once after slipping on a rock in fast-moving water -- but thankfully no one got a picture of that. Maybe I should have listened to this sign ...

Blue skies finally emerged on our last day there ...

And I caught my first ... er, and last ... trout of the week (hubby caught eight) ...



Trail Ridge Road was finally open, too, after being closed due to fresh powder. Leave it to a Texas girl to wear flip flops in the snow ...







Our adorable cabin was a little too quaint -- built before the 1940s -- but it was right on the river and a short walk to the main street. Best place to eat by far is Chicago's Best -- fabulous pizza and the best hot subs I've ever had. However, if you enjoy Mexican food, completely avoid Ed's Cantina like the plague ... unless you don't mind hugging the toilet all night.


All-in-all, it was a wonderful way to celebrate our two-year wedding anniversary. I love the mountains -- the fresh air, neat hikes, great fishing, down-to-earth people ... just being instead of rushing around to meet all of life's demands. I would move there in a heart beat; hubby is not so convinced -- he's quite attached to Texas.



Maybe someday I'll change his mind.