Plans might have to be cancelled, and with the pandemic surge over the summer, I started a list of each hotel’s latest date to cancel without paying for the first night. We stood ready to cancel this trip. Then five days before our departure, we decided to just stick with it. After all, Colorado’s and New Mexico’s coronavirus response have proven to be better than California’s. To prepare, we packed germicidal wipes and a spray bottle.
Denver
We have the routine down. After boarding our direct flight on Southwest, we glove up and wipe down all the surfaces in our area: seats, seatbelts, tray tables, arm rests, windows. Daphney loves doing this. The routine is the same at each hotel, with the addition of hydrogen peroxide spray on porous surfaces. Daphney takes charge of this after we check in to our stay in Denver. On this first day, we get supplies from REI and visit the aquarium.
Rocky Mountain National Park
After stopping for Chinese take-out lunch in Estes Park, we arrive at Rocky Mountain National Park. The park has a timed entry reservation system; for us, because we’re camping, we can go in at any time. Moraine Park Campground is beautiful. Across from our campsite is a ledge overlooking the meadow. Around a meandering stream, elk graze and bugle. We set up lawn chairs and cook dinner: tomato bisque and cheese tortellini. As the sun goes down, everyone leaves. We’re left alone with a front row view of a bull elk trying to get his harem’s attention.
In the morning, we have hot oatmeal on the shores of Bear Lake. A patchwork of fall colors light up the opposite slope. We walk the loop. Back at camp, we move campsites since we could only get two different sites for the two nights. With no one nearby, we all shower. Yan throws naked Jayden into the tent. Unfortunately, he thinks my blue stuff sack is a nice place to poop on.
In the afternoon, we drive Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center. Keeping with our tradition, we buy a picture frame, and I also get the kids stainless steel mugs depicting animals and points of interest. These mugs will become their favorite ones.
After dinner at Bird & Jim, the Milky Way glows bright over the ridge. We fall asleep to the sound of elk calls. The next morning, we wake up to the same hauntingly beautiful sounds. We spend more time along Trail Ridge Road. After camping for two days, we look forward to a hotel stay.
Avon
Avon is a beautiful town, and its lakeshore has the beginnings of fall color. We find a fully stocked kitchen and washer and dryer in our villa at the Sheraton. It’s so nice to do laundry and have comfort for dinner and breakfast.
Daphney and Jayden walking outside of Springhill Suites in DenverJayden and Daphney by our rental SUVDaphney and Jayden outside of Denver's REI in the double strollerDaphney and Jayden climbing on the back of the couch in our hotel room in DenverHaving take-out Chinese food in Estes ParkDaphney, Jayden, and Yan having fun on the rocks in Estes ParkJayden and Daphney embrace each other, standing on a flat rock after lunchFamly picture in front of the entrance to Rocky Mountain National ParkJayden standing on the rock ledge, pointing at the entrance sign to Rocky Mountain National ParkDaphney showing Jayden how to set up the tentDaphney proud to have pitched the tent, standing tall on a rockBull elk in Moraine ParkElk in Moraine Park, bull elk with his haremHaving tortellini and tomato soup dinner while watching elk, seated on folding chairsElk in Moraine Park in early morningFamily picture at Bear Lake with fall color in the backgroundDaphney enjoying oatmeal breakfast at Bear LakeBear Lake with reflection, Flattop Mountain in the backgroundDaphney with her monkey at Sprague LakeDaphney cutting and sharing the veggie hotdog with JaydenUdon noodle soup, with leftover vegetables from the previous dayCampsite at Moraine Park, with Jayden and Daphney inside the tentJayden naked, standing on a rock, about to take a showerAfter showering, while crawling around in the tent, Jayden poops on the blue stuff sackBull elkBull elk resting in the grassRays of sunlight along Trail Ridge RoadDeer by our campsiteDeer by our campsite, looking right at the cameraDaphney with her monkey, standing by our tentDaphney showing Jayden how to color before dinner at Bird & JimJayden coloring with crayons before dinner at Bird & JimDaphney having salmon for dinner at Bird & JimOur glowing tent, with the Milky Way and Jupiter in the backgroundJayden waking up so happy, inside our tentJayden wearing his yellow puffy jacketJayden and Daphney eating breakfast at campAlong the ridge behind our campsiteAlong the ridge behind our campsiteFamily picture along the ridge behind our campsiteFamily picture at Forest Canyon OverlookDistant mountain ridge above tree line, with billowing clouds, at Gore Range OverlookDaphney and Jayden happily sitting on the bed in the Sheraton VillaDaphney and Jayden happily sitting on the bed in the Sheraton VillaFamily picture during a stroll through AvonFamily picture on the dock at Nottingham Lake in AvonYan and Jayden looking out at the sunset, on the dock at Nottingham Lake in AvonEnjoying Chinese food for dinner, noodles and jiaoziYakisoba, stir-fried noodlesSnow peas and mushroomsSpinach and tofuEgg drop soup with green onionsJayden and Daphney reading bedtime booksChinese breakfast of rice, soup, egg and tomatoesEggs with tomatoesCelery and cashews
Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
