My Definition of Recreation is Camping and Hiking
The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, but there is still plenty of camping and hiking opportunities abound. So stock the RV full of food and supplies, or pack that tent and hit the road. In our case, we hit the road with a dog, parrot and 40-year-old box turtle in tow.
Steamboat Lake Sunset
Recreational opportunities abound in Colorado. Exciting state and national parks, national forests and private camping areas are sprinkled over the state. Among our favorites are Rocky Mountain National Park for its wildlife and natural beauty, Steamboat and Pearl Lake for kayaking and aquatic wildlife, Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve for hiking and Lost Burro in Cripple Creek for relaxing and a bit of easy hiking.
We encountered the mother of all lightning storms in Sand Dunes our first year camping. We hope for a repeat performance this year when we return.
One trail that you shouldn’t miss in Colorado is the one to Hanging Lake just outside Glenwood Springs and you’ll want to pack a lunch. Rated easy but in my opinion it’s more of an intermediate hike so be prepared. Make sure to wear hiking boots, if caught in rain or misty conditions the trail can be slick.
Outside of Colorado, we’ve enjoyed camping adventures in the Grand Canyon, the hiking trails and scenery there are fantastic. Yellowstone and Glacier National
Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Nat’l Park
Parks offer exciting wildlife, unique scenic views over a multitude of excellent hiking trails. Maps of the hiking trails and their ratings are available at the visitor’s centers or ranger stations in most national, state or regional parks.
We’ve also camped in Yosemite National Park where you’ll find activities for everyone in the family. Our favorite was the hike to Bridal Veil Falls. That place has its own atmosphere, cool and misty.
White Sands, Blue Water – Florida beach
In the Florida panhandle, we stopped in Niceville, they have several beach front campgrounds in the area next to the whitest sand we’ve ever seen. The ocean water is warm even in October, which was when we were there. Didn’t realize we were traveling at peak hurricane season then, we do now. In our defense hurricanes are not a problem in Colorado, our home base.
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Posted in Camping, My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Sand Dunes
We spent the 4th of July weekend exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. It’s a pleasant 3.5 hour drive from Colorado Springs to the Dunes, if you are towing a fifth wheel trailer. There are only a few sites inside the Park that fit our trailer comfortably, so we opted to set up camp at The Oasis a little campground just outside the main gate of the Park. It offers full hookups, a plus, and a spectacular view of the Dunes. No we don’t own a behemoth trailer, it’s only 30 foot with a 40 inch slide, but the older parks aren’t built for today’s trailers and can be a tight fit. Ok, ok, I like my microwave, surround sound, DVD player and flat screen TV. But we never once turned the TV on and it had nothing to do with the fact I forgot the DVD’s.
Here comes the storm – Sand Dunes
Now, I gotta tell you the Great Sand Dunes corner of the world is like no place, I’ve ever been. Nestled against
the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes are one of Mother Nature’s amazing feats and North America’s tallest Dunes. Mother Nature has free reign over the ever shifting billion grains of sand, the sparkling streams, high mountain peaks and howling winds. Did I mention the 80 foot dust devil, crashing thunder, spectacular lightning show and hail we witnessed.
Dunes Early Morning After the Storm
Of the four nights we spend there, two were spend enjoying the beautiful evening around a campfire, munching on smore’s until well after midnight. The other two,well, we witnessed Mother Nature’s wrath.
Early morning is the best time to explore the Dunes, especially after a storm, the sand is packed and cool on your dog’s feet, not to mention your own. Wet sand is much easier to walk in too. By mid-morning the sun it hot and the sand is hotter. Afternoon storms are frequent, fast moving and you want to get off the Dunes immediately.
Zepata Falls
Down the road a few miles is Zapata Falls, a little slice of heaven, with dense foliage, a beautiful water fall and an easy hike. Just a quarter mile from the parking area to the falls and only a 400 foot rise in elevation, there are several benches on the trail, should you need or just feel like a rest on the way up. The temperature drop at the falls a good 10 to 15 degrees. Early morning is the best time to schedule a visit to the falls. Hiking in cool morning air is ideal and a crowd is less likely at the falls as you slip between the rocks to get a look at the falls origination.
So what are you waiting for? Check out the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Oh, don’t forget Zapata Falls.
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Posted in My Say What Blog, Uncategorized by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Garden of the Gods Park – A Colorado Springs Treasure!
The Garden of the
Gods – from 30th St.
A couple of weeks ago, I was putting the finishing touches on the family calendar I produce every 18 months for family and friends. I decided that a photo of the Kissing Camels in the Garden of the Gods would be prefect for the month of February. It had been a long time between visits to the Garden of the Gods for us. So early on Father’s Day morning my husband and I packed up the camera and specialty lens, our chow dog, Mystic, then headed to the Garden of the Gods to update our photo catalog.
It was a beautiful morning, a few wispy clouds in the sky but the winds were increasing. Typical. First stop was just outside the Garden of the Gods Park off 30th Street, near the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center which offers a great view of the park. My husband shot a few photos from that location then we followed the line of cars into the park. It was bumper to bumper, I swear there were cars with license plates from all 50th states. Well, maybe not, but close.
Garden of the Gods is an attractive goal for rock climbers, due to the unusual rock
Cathedral Spires – Garden of the Gods
formations. Rock climbing is permitted, by annual permit obtained at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. You must follow the “Technical Climbing Regulations and Guidelines,” climbing with a “buddy”, using proper equipment and staying on established climbing routes.
I had completely forgotten that it is peak tourist season and the popularity of the Garden of the Gods Park. Stopping at the pull offs or look outs in the Garden of the Gods was out of the question that morning. They were full and cars cruised by at a turtles pace, no offense to turtles, waiting for a spot to open up.
Kissing Camels
Balanced rock and Steamboat Rock were in the shadows. The sun shone on Cathedral Spires, Hogbacks, Three Graces and Kissing Camels, perfect. I dropped my husband and his camera equipment off in the area of the Kissing Camels and cruised through the park again. I reveled in the rock formations, the tourists admiring them and the camaraderie of the drivers calmly making their way through the park. No rude gestures, horn honking or other bad behavior, just an enjoyable drive through the park, again.
My husband was waiting patiently at the side of the road, a few yards from where I’d left him. We decided to make one more pass through the park and then drove through Old
Garden of the Gods – Hogsback and Llama’s Heads Formations
Colorado City. Found a place to stop and review the photos taken, which were prefect for my calendar and this article then we returned home.
As if I needed a reminder of Garden of the Gods Park’s popularity, this morning I opened the local newpaper, The Gazette, and on its front page proudly declared that according to online travel site, TripAdvisor.com, Garden of the Gods Park is ranked number 1 in the country. A warm fuzzy feeling crept inside me right along with pride that our little park was so loved.
The Garden of the Gods has always held a special place in my heart, my husband hypothetically asked me to marry him in the Garden of the Gods Park many, many moons ago. (It’s a long story)
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Posted in My Say What Blog, The Pikes Peak Region and tagged Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Park, Tourist Destination, Unusual Rock Formations by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Rocky Mountain National Park – An Enchanting Adventure
The quiet beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park (RNMP) is spell binding whether during the summer months or when covered with a fresh
Afternoon Storm Headed Our Way In Rocky Mountain National Park
blanket of newly fallen snow. My husband and I plan at least one camping trip to RMNP during the summer and we stay in Moraine Campground at the edge of an expansive meadow. Down below you can see Elk herds and the cars moving slowly by the area. More than once, we’ve opened the fifth wheel door to find ourselves face to face
View From Our Campsite in RMNP
with a bull elk or an entire elk herd. That is an interesting experience. Usually we back off, shut the door, quiet the dog and wait for a few minutes for the elks to move on. It’s an adventure we wouldn’t trade for the world and keeps us coming back year after year for at least the last 15 years.
Fourth of July Weekend is our excuse to explore the 415 miles of wilderness, which is located about 140 miles north of Colorado Springs on the Western edge of Estes Park. By the way, Estes Park has a fantastic fireworks display over Estes Lake on the fourth of July. It’s a fun time for all, if you don’t mind the throngs of people. Some years we join in the festivities, others we remain at our quite campsite and watch the marauding wildlife.
Yellow-Bellied Marmot
You can’t miss the drive up Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved highway in America. Above tree line, you’ll marvel at the small but vibrant yellow, blue and red alpine flowers able to survive in this harsh climate along with the hearty Yellow-Bellied Marmot. We’ve even seen, but only once, a little furry Pika, but he was camera shy. If you are quick enough, you might catch a glimpse of a long tailed weasel darting between the rocks.
Hearty Alpine Flowers Above Tree Line
Alpine Flowers
We especially enjoy the evening ranger talks in the pavilion not far from our campsite. The history, landscape, wildlife and what you can expect in Rocky Mountain National Park are just a few of the topics.
The weather can be volatile in Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ve left our campground in warm sunshine traveled up Trail Ridge Road, only to encounter hail, lightning, thunder and then snow all in one afternoon. The storms are spectacular, if you like that sort of thing and we do, but you must always be prepared. Always pack with you a parka, warm clothing, snacks and water, even if you are just going for a ride. The warm clothing also makes sitting around the campfire in the evening a lot more enjoyable.
There are family friendly trails, Ranger –led Programs, and six campgrounds, two of which are tents only and the other four accommodate RV’s varying in size. Man’s best friend is not allowed on the trails, but dogs are allowed in and around the campgrounds, which our dog is perfectly happy with. She enjoys the ride up Trail Ridge Road too, as does our parrot. They each have their own backseat window, so there are no disagreements.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s Bear Lake
Bull Elk
If you are looking for high altitude adventures, great camping, stunning views and a wide variety of wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park should be your next destination. Reservations are highly recommended during the summer months.
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Posted in My Say What Blog, Uncategorized and tagged Adventure, camping, Colorado, RMNP, Rocky Mountain National Park, wildlife by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
