That's what my friend Emily and I decided a couple of months ago. We both work downtown and took an impromptu afternoon gelato break in the middle of a work week. We shared what was on our minds and our hearts - work, family, friends, worries. I think there were even a few tears. We shared one thing in common, we both needed a vacation. We were already considering going to Colorado. Then and there, we pulled out our phones, looked at the calendar, and picked a date. Two weeks later, we booked a cheap hotel in Estes park and requested off work. We had no agenda...we just knew we were going.
And a few weeks ago, we went. We decided the night before what time we would leave and agreed there would be no judgement for the amount of luggage either of us placed in the car. Good thing. I was a little over zealous when I pulled out my stored winter clothing and saw all of the sweaters I hadn't seen in a year. I might want to change clothes three times a day, right? Better safe than sorry. Needless to say, the car was full. We drove the ten hours to Denver, and I spent a couple of days with my grandma and mom, and Emily spent some time with a friend in town.
Wednesday morning, we repacked the car...did I mention how much luggage we had? and headed to Estes. There's just something about the mountains. I love the beach, but if given a choice, I would pick mountains nearly every time.
We spent the next 4 days shopping, hiking, walking and detoxing from stresses back home. We went horseback riding. We watched the bull elk fight for the attention of the female herd on the local golf course (October must be when all Discovery Channel specials on elk are filmed) and watched as the bull elk charged the not so bright tourists trying to get an "elk selfie" (this could also be the filming site for Vacations Gone Wrong). We drove to the top of Trail Ridge Road and called it the top of the world. And we unashamedly topped off each night with popcorn, pringles, oreos, and whatever movie we could find on netflix. We discovered Bridget Jones about ten years late and of course watched the sequel the next night (inner monologues of a single woman and modern Pride and Prejudice parodies? Who was keeping this secret from us?!). We were not as impressed by The Stepford Wives. I'm not sure how that one made it through the production process. Not your best moment, Nicole. Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park was definitely my favorite part of the trip. Add it to your bucket list if you haven't been. The trails were beautiful and peaceful. On our first day of hiking we met a couple in their fifties from Texas. We started talking to them and found out they were celebrating the 3 year anniversary of their engagement. The wife proudly told me that her husband had proposed 3 years earlier on top of the Rocky Mountains. They were on an anniversary trip and showed us pictures of their adventures the past week. When we walked away from them, we both noted how sweet they were and how much they enjoyed each other's company.
On our last day of hiking, we headed to a more remote trail. Poor Emily's Honda Accord had to pose as a Jeep on the one lane dirt mountain road. I highly recomend the Wild Basin Trailhead if you make a trip to the Rockies. A 6 mile hike will lead you up past 6 or so waterfalls. The trail is lined with towering trees on either side and breathtaking views. The hike took us several hours, probably becuase we stopped every 100 feet or so to exclaim how beautiful something was that we saw. About halfway up the trail, on one of our many stops to take in the views, we found our match. Jane and Kathleen were two cousins from Iowa hiking the trails and stopping to take it all in just as much as we were. We all started talking and walked a while together. They told us about their adventures in other national parks and convinced us we need to visit a national park in Canada. When we parted ways, Emily and I again noted how great it was to see people enjoying each other's company so much.
On each of the trails we hiked throughout the week, though each was different, all had a few similarities. They were filled with people laughing, smiling, and enjoying each other's company. Husbands and wives, friends and cousins taking in the beauty around them and getting to share the memory with loved ones.
The week was relaxing and refreshing. The mountains are a little peace of heaven to me,
and I always feel closer to God when I am there. Each time I get to go I pray that God will let me take a piece of the serenity there with me in my heart as I head back home.
Though we were both sad to leave, knowing we were going home to the people we love and enjoy made the drive home much easier. On the drive to Colorado we listened to a Tim Keller podcast. He talked about the value of people God places in our life that choose us and choose to love us. These are people that come across our path that we choose to walk alongside. There is no obligation. There is just a choice to let these people in and invite them to walk on your path and choose to walk with them on theirs. He talked about the way that these people show us the grace and love of Christ by sticking with us through the ups and downs, loving us through our good times and bad, even though they don't have to.
I am so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, even over the past few years. I don't deserve the love I am shown. I know I'm not always loveable...I have the ugly thoughts in my head to prove it too often. Even so, I am over and over again shown grace and love by people who choose to love me and help me grow instead of leaving me behind because I am much less than perfect.
People are definitely one of my favorite gifts that God has given us. I am admitedly and introvert and need time to myself every once in a while, but nothing beats making memories with the people you love right alongside you. Near and far, the every day and adventures, I'm glad God gave me people to love and that love me to share my moments with. People I can look back with, reflect with, laugh with, and share with.
To all the people God has placed in my life...Thank you for loving me. Thanks for letting me be a part of your memories. And thank you for letting me walk beside you. Life is better with you.
