Traveling Home from Rocky Mountain National Park 2026

Sadly, our trip had come to an end, and it was time to go.  I was not ready to leave!!!  Much to my surprise, when we walked outside to go to breakfast that morning the ground had snow on it.  It was like a sweet goodbye gift to me. 

 

morning snow at the YMCA of the Rockies 

 

 

our morning view 

 

We love to stay at the YMCA! 

I took this photo on the walk to the dining hall for our last buffet meal. 

 

 

Snow falling as we loaded the car. 

 

 

For the second time we stayed in the Wind River Lodge.  We love it! 

 

Wind River Lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park 

 

 

 leaving the YMCA

I cannot wait to return!!!

 

 

We had snowfall all the way out of town.

 

Checkout was at 10:00 am.  We had an overnight flight that didn't leave Denver until 12:45 am (Wednesday morning).  We had to be at the airport to drop off our vehicle by 10:00 pm.  That meant a twelve hour day to kill.  We left Estes Park that morning and made the 1.5 hour drive back into Denver.

 

 

We killed most of our time walking around stores.  The boys insisted on stopping first at Bass Pro Shop.  

 

We had lunch at In-N-Out, which is a family favorite. We do not have those in the South so it was a must on our list to do while in Colorado. 

 

a lovely Denver sunset

We ate supper at Raising Cane's and then hung out at a Starbucks until time to drive to the airport.  

 

 

driving back into the Denver airport

Like I said on our arrival, I love this airport view, especially at night! It's so pretty!

 

It is hard to sum up this trip in words.  It was incredible and perfect in every way.  If I could do it over again, I would not change a thing.  The memories it provided, we will never forget.   

Celebrating our 30th Wedding Annivesary in Estes Park & RMNP 2026

On Monday, April 27, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.  I could not be happier to be celebrating it in one of my favorite places- Rocky Mountain National Park.  

 

We began the morning by taking photos. 

 

We then enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the YMCA dining hall.

 

The boys both have live math classes on Monday mornings so we left them at the lodge and went into town by ourselves.  We stopped and explored the Stanley Hotel.  It is beautiful!

 

 

us on the steps of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park 

 

 

I loved this old car.  

Of course it made me think of my dad. 

 

The Stanley Hotel was the inspiration for the movie The Shining.  They had several movie themed things for sell in the gift shop.

 

Before leaving, we stopped by their coffee shop for a coffee and a cappuccino.  

 

We then drove out to Lily Lake and walked the loop around it. 

 

 

Just like almost every other hike we did on the trip, as soon as we got out of the car, the snowflakes started falling.  It just made our trip magical!  I would love to see this park in the fall, but because of the snow, I think I'll always be drawn back there in the spring.  I just love snow!  It makes me happy!

 

Lily Lake 

 

It's only a 0.8 mile flat walk around the lake.

 

 

I loved seeing these tiny pine cones. 

 

 

 

 

walking around Lily Lake on our anniversary 

 

Lily Lake  

 

Lily Lake 

 

 

We returned to the YMCA and picked up the boys in time for lunch.  Prior to our trip, I had researched good hamburger places in Estes Park.  Fresh Burger Stop came highly recommended in most all of my searches so we went there for our anniversary lunch.  Much to my surprise, it was located in a gas station.  The boys thought surely I would not want to eat there once we arrived, but my curiosity was up and I had to try the burgers.  Just as recommended, they were delicious and the onion rings were perfect. Don't let the location deter you! There is also a burrito shop and a donut shop (Donut Haus) located there.  The donut shop closes at noon and the sweet young guy working there gave us free donuts for dessert.  If you know me, I love donuts!!  That young man had no idea how much joy that small gesture gave me.  Because all of our meals were provided at the YMCA and we had picnic lunches, this was the first meal we had eaten out since the Atlanta airport on our flight there.  

 

 

I had packed a few of our wedding napkins to use on our anniversary. 

 

 

After eating, we drove into the park for an afternoon hike. 

 

We drove to the Cub Lake Trailhead. 

 

We hiked to Cub Lake.  It was 2.3 miles one way. 

 

 

hiking to Cub Lake 

 

 

me and Ben

 

 

more pretty purple flowers on the trail 

 

 

And, soon after starting the hike, it began to snow.  We had off and on snowflakes the rest of the hike there and back.

 

 

And then, because Colorado weather is so crazy, just a few minutes later it was nice and sunny. 

 

 

And then came round two, which lasted a while.

 

'

me and Ben relishing the snowflakes 

 

 

arriving at Cub Lake 

 

 

Cub Lake 

 

 

 Cub Lake

 

 Cub Lake

 

our family at a snowy Cub Lake on our 30th wedding anniversary

What a fun memory! 

 

 

 Cub Lake

 

 

 Cub Lake

 

 

 Cub Lake

 

 

me and my boys at Cub Lake 

 

 Cub Lake

 

Cub Lake 

 

 Cub Lake with those beautiful mountains in the background

 

i 

wildlife on the hike back down

 

the last of the rock climbing for Ben 

 

David and the boys on the Cub Lake trail 

 

Oh how I miss this mountain view!!! 

 

Cruz on the trail

 

One last photo in the park on our 30th anniversary

 

hiking back out 

 

 

 

the creek that runs through Moraine Park 

 

This trip had been incredible in every way!  I am so thankful we were able to celebrate our anniversary in a place we both truly love. 

 

Thirty years.  

Three decades.  

One incredible journey!  

 

 

April 27, 1996