America's Best Idea

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park provided my first real taste of Colorado beyond the Denver airport. Our vacation started with a wedding in Estes Park, but we decided to arrive a few days ahead to explore the wonders of this renowned park.

To our surprise, upon arrival, we discovered that our luggage had embarked on an unexpected solo adventure. Thanks to United's generosity, we were given vouchers. Tim and I decided to take a unique approach to this spending spree. Instead of using the vouchers for the usual essentials like underwear and clothing, we opted for climbing gear, setting the stage for an adventurous trip. This choice not only highlighted our priorities but also showcased our adventurous spirit. We weren't about to let missing luggage cramp our style—or our sense of humor!

The next day, our trek into the climbing area proved to be long and grueling. My only choice of footwear (other than climbing shoes) was a pair of trusty black Old Navy flip-flops. To my amazement, they remarkably withstood the harsh and rugged terrain. When we finally reached the climbing wall and gazed upon the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, it was a breathtaking moment. Tim led us up some exhilarating climbing routes, giving us our much-needed adrenaline rush for the day.

On our way back, we made a delightful pit stop at a frigid stream, offering some much-needed relief to our tired feet. It was just the two of us, deep in the wilderness, immersing ourselves in the refreshing flow of nature's healing waters.

Fortunately, upon our return to the hotel, our luggage made a timely appearance, arriving just one hour before the rehearsal dinner. A wardrobe upgrade after wearing the same clothes for 48 hours was very much welcomed!

We stayed at The Stanley Hotel, which overlooks Rocky Mountain National Park and is renowned as one of the most haunted hotels in the United States. This place famously inspired the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King's The Shining. The hotel's iconic red roof, "red rum" cocktails, and a loop of the movie on one of the TV channels added to the experience. Post-wedding celebrations and a few cocktails later, we took a spooky stroll through the hotel. My own scare came in the dead of night when the TV mysteriously turned on, playing The Shining. Terrified, I dashed to the TV to turn it off and hurried back to bed, feeling as if I were being chased by a demon. As it turned out, the remote had somehow ended up under my pillow and activated while I was sleeping. I felt both relieved that our room wasn't haunted and a bit ridiculous, which made for a good laugh.

Our proximity to the park granted us the privilege of witnessing its ever-changing beauty. Each time we ventured in, the weather put on a different show. One moment, we had the pleasure of a sunny scenic ride, and the next, we found ourselves pelted by hail-sized golf balls. Our amazement was further heightened as we had the opportunity to witness several groups of elk grazing and Rocky Mountain big horn sheep in the meadow, a truly mesmerizing sight.

We drove to Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America, perched at 12,090 feet. We got out to stretch our legs on the Tundra Communities Trail, and walked a short, paved trail that takes you to breathtaking views. It felt like the whole world was spread out before us. I couldn't help but play the song "Rocky Mountain High" by John Denver when we got back in the car after experiencing the euphoria of nature in this park.

Rocky Mountain National Park gifted us unforgettable memories of adventure, the wonders of nature, and unmatched beauty, making my first visit to Colorado an experience I'll treasure forever.