So hectic, in fact, that I didn’t even take a journal to capture the stories of our trip while we were on the road. That’s a first!
But despite everything, I can heartily recommend packing up and driving to Colorado – agenda or not. There’s more than enough to keep one entertained.
Colorado-New Mexico border 
Downtown Buena Vista, 6:30 a.m.
Bishop Castle
Our favorite. My ideal coffee shop!
The Boy placed in the Top 10 in his age group – at 8,200 ft above sea level!
Sunrise at our campsite
Mount Elbert – 14,433 feetMountains that would eventually be summited:
The happy three at the summit marker!Mountains that then mock you on the difficult climb/scramble down:
Who was crooked? Me or the photographer?There were geocaches to find:
A micro-cache.We logged over twenty, in fact, including one at the top of Mount Elbert.
There were mile ruins and ghost towns a-plenty.
Outside of Leadville.
And even a few long-lost persons of note.
“Texas Jack” – buried by Buffalo Bill Cody!And just to play tourist, we made sure we rode a historic train.
The Leadville Scenic trainAnd, of course, what would any camping trip be without s’mores?
Fun, fun, fun! And, to be honest, I didn’t feel like I got to do everything I wanted to do. With another week, I’d have explored some ghost towns in depth, gone hiking, went river rafting and, because I love it, done more geocaching.I have to say that sometimes I’m still amazed out how much I, a city girl, enjoy camping on vacation. Must be a result of the camping trips I enjoyed with my grandparents while I was a little girl.So where is vacation next year? We’re thinking the Appalachian Mountains, in western North Carolina or eastern Tennessee. (Though we’re off to Russia before too long, I don’t truly count that as our Annual Vacation. It’s a Birthday Bonus Trip!!)
So.much.fun.
I'm with you, though, there were so many more things that didn't get done.
Just an excuse for another trip!