Estes Park- Part 2

I rented a jeep for one full day so we could ride trails. Unfortunately, there way way too much snow to take a jeep out so we ended up renting an open air ATV for a couple of hours. Although we were dressed warm, I had no clue the elevation we would be at riding this thing. It was really COLD (my toes were frozen), and there was A LOT of snow. Typically when we take out an ATV on vacation the weather is super nice. This was a different experience.  

Ella is always Adam's co-pilot. Thank goodness Adam knows how to drive these ATV's, because I do not. I want no part of driving them. 

We went to an overlook spot, and it was beautiful! 

 

Ella and Paige both had fun playing in the snow and sliding down a hill. You didn't even need a sled. I still can't get over the amount of snow that we were in. 

Every time I go to Colorado I want to see a Moose, and it has yet to happen. There was a moose and it's baby on the trails, but we didn't see it. Once we finally got to the spot where they were supposed to be, I was literally frozen. My toes felt like ice cubes, and we had to go back. It was so cold. Maybe one of these days we will see a moose. 

Paige enjoyed going out to the creek and breaking ice. 

After dinner I had Adam drive me to this spot which was the entrance to RMNP. The elk would hang out here at sunset eating. These elk rule the town. Although we didn't see them downtown, they have caused quite a few traffic jams leisurely crossing the street. On our last night, one was walking right down the middle of the road very slowly without a care in the world. 

I took a very cold walk around Sprague Lake in RMNP. It's funny to see pictures of these places in the spring/summertime, and then see them during the winter. The water is frozen and snow covered, and you would never know that's a lake. 

These pictures don't do it justice, but it was so pretty. I love the mountains. 

On our last day we packed and did some last minute shopping. Paige had to make one last trip to "the rock shop". This was her favorite store. 

It was a great spring break trip to Estes Park. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a great little town to visit.  So much so, that it was hard to come home! It was a good mix of activity and down time. This was our third trip to Colorado, and we haven't been disappointed yet. I'm thankful for another great trip together. Can't wait for the next! 

Estes Park, Colorado Spring Break

Spring Break 2021 

After last years fiasco of rescheduling our spring break trip to Florida (thanks COVID), we were so excited to go on a proper spring break trip this year. I picked Estes Park, CO after driving through it on our way home from Colorado last summer. Estes Park is minutes outside of Rock Mountain National Park. It's the cutest mountain town with a wonderful downtown. I found a house on a stream which was icing on the cake. 

We headed out bright and early for our 15 hour trek to Colorado. I thought we were nuts, but we planned to drive this straight through. That was our longest drive to date, and I'm not sure I would want to drive any longer than that. The trip went smoothly with no issues. We packed lots of toys, snacks, and drinks which helped. We also were able to watch movies thanks to our new SUV.  

We drove through five states that day: Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. It's fun to see how the terrain changes. This is Kansas below. It's FLAT and boring. 

Shortly before sunset we made it too Denever. Colorado is beautiful. I can never get over the grandeur of the mountains. It seriously never gets old. 

We were exhausted from the drive. We ate dinner and went to bed. We all slept in the clothes from that day. We were too exhausted to even change clothes. 

We woke up to this view, and it was seriously gorgeous. It was cold, but we were still able to enjoy the outdoors. 

Paige had to go out and play in the snow and explore as soon as the sun came up. 

The rental we stayed in was so nice and perfect for us. We gave Ella the master bedroom. Paige and I slept in one bedroom downstairs (her on the blow up mattress) and Adam slept in the other bedroom downstairs. I loved the living room. The windows were huge, and the view was awesome. 

The backside of the house. Take me back!!

Our first full day we had to go check out the downtown and do some shopping. Estes Park has the best shops. I seriously shopped until I dropped. 

Ella and I tried to walk to the coffee shop at the end of the trail behind our rental, but there was too much slush and mud. Even though it was cold, it was a beautiful day. 

Without fail, it would start snowing like this every afternoon. It was insane but so pretty!

On Monday, I scheduled to have our pictures taken in the national park at sunset. It was almost a disaster. It was pouring snow, but we went ahead with it. It snowed for about fifteen minutes, and then the sun came out. I am not sure I will have pictures taken again on a trip anytime soon, but I am so glad we did it. Our photographer got some awesome shots. 

Before our pictures, we saw deer, a coyote, and elk. I love seeing wildlife in the park. 

We woke up to more snow on Tuesday (shocking I know), but it ended up being a beautiful day. 

We lounged around every morning, and it was SO nice. We don't get to do this at home so it was nice to just sit and do nothing. 

We finally got in gear and headed downtown for more shopping and lunch. We parked at the other end of the street this time and went in the shops we didn't get to go in the first day. 

 

After lunch we picked up our snow gear and headed to RMNP to go to bear lake. I actually expected to see a lake but instead, saw a frozen lake covered in snow. Its was beautiful, but I would love to see it in the summer. 

There were a lot of people hiking with snow shoes which are what those colorful things are way off in the distance. 

First time I have ever stood on a frozen lake. So weird! 

This snowman was already there and great for pictures. 

We said goodbye to the snowman and headed out. Stay tuned for park two of our trip!