I decided it was time, yet again, for a long weekend in Estes Park at my favorite YMCA cabins. I knew the weather would be changing and that October is the perfect time to see leaves turning colors and catch all the elk, deer, wild turkeys, birds, and perhaps even a bear, who are rummaging around getting ready for the cold weather. I booked a large cabin with the thought that I would be okay by myself but maybe I would invite some friends. Kristin's birthday is today, so I invited her and her husband Greg and dog Sammy to join me. It was a three bedroom cabin so I invited Jill along. It was so much fun to have the interaction and friendship, but I also got some time alone as everyone left yesterday and I had last night and this morning to myself (with Rene, of course!).
We got into Estes and everyone met at the visitor center. We walked to the river walk and Greg offered to hold Rene and Sammy while we girls shopped. I was pretty nervous about it, after all my girl can get a little skittish around too many people and activity. But she settled in just fine and I was able to meander into a few stores I haven't been to in quite a while.
Here is Rene in the water while Greg was greyhound sitting. She looks pretty content, this helicopter mama must admit!
After we walked the shops we checked into the cabin. We got settled in and Greg ran off downtown to get some pizza and beer for himself. We girls of course pulled out the food and wine. And Rene of course found her place on the bed, after spending time with her special friend Sammy. Any view seems to be a breath of fresh air from the YMCA cabins! This was ours from our cabin named "Conifer."
We ate and drank, made a fire and played a long round of 5 Crowns. Jill and I were in bed by 10, Kristin and Greg were up a lot later. That first night no one slept too great, as the fire and the electric heat made the cabin really hot. The next morning, Kristin, Greg and Sammy went into town to get coffee and shop, Jill went to get a massage and I stayed in the cabin working on a craft project, doing a short yoga DVD and watching the white tailed bucks who were snacking just outside the cabin. A blue jay was close at hand as well. Let the wildlife watching begin…
What deer is this? What fawn? Oh wait…it is the greyhound!
No trip to Estes Park is complete without a drive through RMNP. We girls went up yesterday and just drove leisurely through, capturing pictures of the changing colors. Most were yellow, and it was a delight to see pops of yellow peeking through the pines.
By about 5 o'clock everyone headed home. Rene and I went to town to get some dinner and then we settled in the cabin for the night. We drove through RMNP on our way home, and got to glimpse some snow falling on the peaks as well as some rain. It was a lovely fall weekend getaway and I feel refreshed to tackle another week of work, having re-set my appreciation for living one day at a time.
