Colorado Summer Travel: Our Trip to YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park

A few years ago, we traveled with some friends of ours and their 3 kids. Our crew, from Illinois, their crew from Austin, TX (at the time). We had been wanting to go on a trip together for quite some time, but organizing a trip for so many people can be hard. We settled on the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park as our destination because our friends had been to their other location in Winter Park before and just loved it. So we thought, let's give it a try!

We flew into Denver a day early to get acclimated to the altitude. We had all been to Colorado before, and each of us struggled in our own way the first couple of days, so we planned this on purpose.

We rented a two bedroom cabin at the YMCA camp and we were right across the street from our friends. It was so cozy! It was a log cabin, with all the amenties you could imagine - wood floors, plaid blankets, front porch with rocking chairs, etc. But...this cabin had the MOST amazing views!

Every day at the camp, there was a day camp for our kids. We signed our kids up for 2 out of the 3 days, knowing there would be 1 day we planned a group hike together. During the camp, they were able to ride horses, play games, go on shorter hikes, explore a ropes course, etc. They were definitely busy! While the kids were at camp every day, the adults explored.

One day, we decided to be adventurous and went to Kirk's Fly Shop to book a fly fishing trip. When I say adventurous...you have no idea what I mean! Our tour guide asked Sean and I, "How adventurous are you?" And of course, Sean did not hesitate...he said "We're up for anything!" It was then that what I thought was going to be like a scene from a "River Runs Through It" became more "Into the WIld".

We were climbing rocks, scaling BOULDERS, keeping an eye out for mountain lions...it was so beautiful, but so intense! We went from place to place, trying to catch fish, which neither of us could do. I think we finally caught something, but to be honest, I kind of blocked that from memory. I do remember catching back up with our friends and their tour guide where they were calmy wading in 6 inches of a babbling brook, catching fish after fish after fish...That's what I wanted to do!

But, I tell you what, it was an adventure I will never forget! Lesson learned for the nexttime we are asked about how adventurous we are!

Until we see you again, Colorado!