Our weekend in Colorado was short, but it sure was a wonderful time. Back in March, we started planning a surprise 80th birthday celebration for my father-in-law and a family reunion with extended cousins and other family members. We rented 5 cabins for all of us at
Solitude Cabins in Estes Park, CO. The management there was so accommodating and helpful to make sure our weekend was perfect. Anyone in the Estes Park area looking for a place to stay, I highly recommend these cabins. They were just the perfect size with all the amenities and very friendly management to help make our family weekend a huge success!
We had a wonderful turnout of 32 family members from the de Jong/Spiller/Davis family as well as extended family members. The weekend was chilly with beautiful weather during the day, perfect for hiking through Rocky Mountain National Park.
Saturday, we got up and headed out for our first hike through RMNP. Below is a picture of the West Alluvial Fan that was created many years ago from a lake that overflowed during a flood, creating a waterfall and the "fan" of rocks seen below.
We also came across a field of elk sitting in the sun enjoying the weather. Everyone had to stop and take a look at the amazing creatures.
This guy was grazing and walked up pretty close to us as we stood very still. The size of these creatures is amazing and quite frightening at the same time. Kaes and I didn't know whether to stay still and take our chances, or turn and run for the car!
Saturday evening we had Dirk's birthday dinner at the cabins' pavilion where they grilled for us and we were able to enjoy the crisp weather while catching up with each other and getting to know some of the ones we have never met.
Sunday morning, several of us got up at 4:30 am to see the sunrise at Sprague Lake. Dawn is such a breathtaking time of day when the whole world seems so peaceful and everything around you is still. With the Continental Divide in the background, the lush green aspens, and the pristine water of Sprague Lake, it was clear that the good Lord spared no expense when created this place.
On our sunrise hike, we saw elk, a momma duck with her seven babies, and even a busy beaver swimming across the lake.
Sunday afternoon, Kaes and I went walking through the town of Estes Park to visit the cute shops and restaurants. It had been off and on drizzling, so a group of us decided to drive over Grand Lake pass for some incredible views. The highest point of the pass is a bit over 12,000 ft. It was quite frigid and even snowed on us as we made the stop for some hot chocolate at the top of pass. The pass boasts some of the most beautiful views far and wide.
Monday was our last day in Colorado and we had just a few days before we had to return to Australia. After giving lots of hugs and saying our goodbyes, we headed back to Denver to have lunch with a friend we had not seen in a few years before we flew to Houston.
Colorado is always one of my favorite places to visit in the winter. My first visit during the summer was so beautiful and reminded me of our vacation last year to New Zealand. The lush greenery and snow-capped mountains make both destinations a favorite, and we cannot wait until our next visit!~
