colorful Colorado

Colorful Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park

We are city folk, there is no doubt about that.  I love to have people all around me and Matt loves the 24/7 availability of anything you could ever need in life (and we both love not having to drive!), but that doesn't mean we don't crave the mountain life once in a while.  If 2021 taught us anything, it's that nothing beats the power of nature to transform your mood and your attitude!  Matt and I are huge fans of Denver, but beyond the city boarder, Colorado is brimming with color and artistry.

There are forty-two state parks in Colorado, plus four National Parks (only CA 9, AK 8, and UT 5 have more).  Each are beautiful and unique in their own way, but today's adventure takes us to Rocky Mountain National Park, about an hour and a half outside Denver.  The park has something for everyone, thanks to the snow capped mountains, dense forest, crystal clear lakes, and lush green meadows.  Rocky Mountain National Park is home to Trail Ridge Road, which claims to be the highest road in North America, and you'll see for miles as you drive along this 2 hour scenic byway.  The Trail Ridge Road takes you from Estes Park to Grand Lake and is one of the best ways to view the Continental Divide.  First used by Ute Indians, the route was used as a thoroughfare for hunting and gathering.  Today, you can hike the Ute Trail or drive along the Trail Ridge Road (added and changed as transportation changed).  We didn't do much actual hiking on our trip, but the drive has numerous options for pull-off points and scenic vistas.  Is there anything more beautiful than a US National Park in the summertime?  Now if only we had seen a Bald Eagle :)

Recognized and maintained by the National Parks Service are 63 main National Parks and 423 overall sites.  Of the main 63, I've been lucky enough to visit the following:  Rocky Mountain National Park (CO), Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), Gateway Arch National Park (MO), Shenandoah National Park (VA), Everglades National Park (FL), & Badlands National Park (SD).  The top of my bucket list would be the Redwoods in CA, Arches National Park in UT, White Sands National Park in NM, and Yellowstone in WY.  I love the idea of purchasing a National Parks pass and creating a National Parks bucket list.  What other National Parks should be on our list?