My Heart Belongs To Colorado

We tried to stay at the hostel in Jackson, but unfortunately it was full. I can't get enough of Jackson Hole! Definitely one of my "Top Ten" tourist spots. We somehow made it through rural Wyoming, with its odd conglomeration of wild pronghorn sheep, our first moose sighting on someone's front yard alongside the road, and lots and lots of oil wells. After considering our camping options for the night (not a very tent-friendly area), we finally talked down the price of a hotel room in Rawlins. I don't have much to say about that town.

Anyway, the following morning we took our time driving to Steamboat Springs, CO. We stopped in Craig, a nifty little town with friendly people and the Museum of Northwest Colorado. Then we arrived in Steamboat Springs and met up with an old friend of Mel's, who graciously let us spend the night in his mountainside condo. They make good beer in Steamboat.

The drive to Denver was fantastic, with abandoned mining towns, gorgeous scenery, and Rocky Mountain National Park! We saw a large elk herd with the 12-point buck herding up his ladies and sparring with juvenile males over his harem. He always won.

My new affordable digs in CO. Real estate listing: quiet mountainside lodge, rustic charm, river view, great history, air conditioned.

Breathtaking view in Rocky Mountain NP.

The big boy and his harem.

Mel's friend in Denver showed us hospitality by taking us out to a brew pub and giving us tips on good places to visit. Thanks to Shannon, we marveled at the beauty of Red Rocks Amphitheater, drove up the highest road in the Northern Hemisphere to Mt. Evans, and checked out the awesome town of Boulder. I can't wait to visit Mel in Boulder when she moves here; it already feels like a second home to me. We checked out the farmer's market and went to a great beer tasting at Avery Brewing Co.

Rockin' it out on the Red Rocks Amphitheater stage.