Yes, tears were shed when I had to cancel Family Vacation 2020. In lieu of the pity party, please join me in cyber-visiting the trip I had planned to Colorado. Photos not mine (sarcasm):
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| After flying into Colorado Springs, we were going to rent a car and drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway north towards Estes Park. |
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| Just a view along the way . . . |
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Upon arrival, we would have checked into this cabin just a few miles outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, which has been on my bucket list for years.
Can you tell that we are not campers?? I spent weeks finding the perfect cabin and location.
Who doesn't love a rushing waterfall? This is Alberta Falls, reached from Glacier Gorge Trailhead. I was also looking forward to seeing a glacier before they disappear.
Aptly named Dream Lake
Lily Lake
Just a little scenery on the Nymph/Dream/Emerald Lakes hike.
I would have loved a sunrise or sunset hike to Bear Lake.
We were going to devote one day to driving Trail Ridge Road to the Continental Divide and back. Back in January, I was excited to recognize this road on a car commercial. It is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. and is only open from the end of May until it begins to snow in October.
This would have been cool to see.
Alpine Ridge at the top. The only time it's fun to see snow is when you are wearing shorts!
After exploring the Rocky Mountains for four days, we were heading back to Colorado Springs to check into one of America's top resorts:
The Broadmoor
While my husband was doing this . . .
my daughter and I planned on doing this . . .
and this . . .
and this!
Along with checking out some area sites like Garden of the Gods,
t asting some mineral water in Manitou Springs,
and visiting more waterfalls!
With some R&R with my husband in the evenings.
They say that planning a vacation is half the fun. Well, not really, but that's all that's going to happen with this trip.
Did you have any travel plans for this summer? If not, what is a place on your bucket list?
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I am so sorry to hear about the cancellation of your trip. Bummer! I've been reading quite a few blog posts in which people have been the same thing. One blogger was saying that they couldn't get the airline to credit them for another time and they were furious. I would be too. Which I don't understand because obviously a lot of people have had to do that this year. It's not like the airlines are losing money, they're just transferring it to another time. And you would think they would be more accommodating, considering how much money the airlines have lost over the past four months.
ReplyDeleteYou picked a great place! I've always wanted to visit Colorado; particularly in the fall/winter. Your virtual photos are gorgeous! What a cozy cabin. Like you, I'm not a roughing-it camper. I'm more of a cabin camper.
That photo of Trail Ridge Road is amazing. What a view!
My bucket list place would definitely be Italy, where I would eat food, drink wine, and visit all the historical spots. Bellissima!
Again, sorry to hear about your vacay cancellation, my friend.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the sympathy, Ron. Lol! I was lucky because I was procrastinating on buying the airline tickets until we returned from Miami in March and that’s when Covid hit. I only lost a $50 cancellation fee on the cabin and The Broadmoor returned our full deposit. I wish I could say the same thing about my son’s wedding reception for which we lost the entire down payment. Infuriating, but I’ve moved on.
DeleteI would love to go to Italy as well, esp. Tuscany. We’ve toyed with the idea in the past, but it would be too difficult either taking our daughter or finding someone to care for her if we were gone for two weeks. That’s why we go to Napa and Sonoma instead. Hope your weekend cools off!
Those are great places to visit. We've been to the Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park area many times, once in a tiny camping trailer as well as tent camping, a large 5th wheel trailer and, more recently, our 25' motor home. In 2001, we stayed at the Stanley Hotel, where Stephen King wrote much of his book, The Shining. I recognized many of the spots in your photos, including Garden of the Gods and others from Colorado Springs.
ReplyDeleteWe usually travel several weeks each year in our motor home. This year, we MAY go to a nearby state park for a few days, but for now, we're just staying home, only straying out for groceries, appointments and other errands.
I’m glad to hear it’s as wonderful in person. Yes, I saw that the Stanley was in Estes Park. We were going to do a drive-by. I’m sorry you’re missing out on RVing this summer. We hope to do a few day trips nearby, as well.
DeleteGirl I am so sorry - that looked like one fantastic trip. I hope you can go next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend. We had planned it around a conference my husband was attending, so I don’t know if we will try again anytime soon. Just have to move on, I guess.
DeleteThanks for taking me on a virtual vacation with you. The photographs were nice and made me really want to go. I'm sorry the actual trip didn't pan out as you would have liked. I have never visited Colorado but now it's on my list after seeing your post. I was supposed to be in Florida right now but cancelled everything for obvious reasons.
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome, Liberty. Oh man, Florida is fun, so that’s a bummer :(
DeleteI do agree with the statement that planning the vacation is half the fun. I planned Disney TWICE and remained positive each time. We finally decided to cancel earlier this week. To make up for it, we'll go to Rhode Island and explore for a few days. They have their COVID19 under control and there are no travel restrictions b/w NY or RI. I'm sorry that you had to cancel your vacation. That totally sucks... but the week that you're supposed to be there think "My trip would have been over already. Now I still get to look forward to it!" Are you cancelling or rescheduling?
ReplyDeleteIt’s super disappointing about Disney because kids are only kids for so long! I hope you get to go next year! And I look forward to hearing about RI, a place I’ve never been. We are not rescheduling. Husband had a conference, which was what we planned around. It’s in a different location every year and he’s already nixed next year (NYC). We would have been in Colorado this week.
DeleteWell on the plus side your trip had great views at dirt cheap prices lol stinks you can't go indeed.
ReplyDeleteLol, you are right! That was one cheap vacation and no TSA aggravation either!
DeleteSo sorry; that sounds like a great trip. A cabin in the mountains would be like heaven for me. . .
ReplyDeleteWe were tentatively planning to visit my mom in San Diego, but that'll get pushed into next year.
I've never been to Europe. One of my bucket list items is to cross the street at Abbey Road ;) . I'd also love to visit Australia/New Zealand; we have friends there, so it just might be possible. . . Closer to home, my mom has always wanted to take us to the Grand Canyon. . .
Doesn’t it look gorgeous? Well, since we went to SD last year at this time, I know it’s a great city, but you know that, too. I’ve known a few people who have been to Australia and NZ and they raved about it. That’s a brutal flight, though. I hope you go to the Grand Canyon as it’s actually grand! It’s so close to other national parks, you’d be able to squeeze in a few others.
DeleteI so feel your disappointment here. It sucks that you had to cancel your trip. Hopefully you can save those plans and go next year. We talked about going to Germany this fall before the virus hit, so thankfully no time was wasted on the planning. My daughter did have a 5 day trip to Oregon that we had booked for her that we had to get refunds on (Thank you for the good sense to purchase travel insurance!). She's bummed she's not going, but since she's a biochemist, she fully understands why travel isn't smart right now.
ReplyDeleteWe won’t go next year, but maybe in the future. Germany would be great! My son lived and worked in Munich four years ago for a summer. I know he’s itching to go back. I’d be disappointed about Oregon for sure. Another place I hope to visit.
DeleteI've heard so many great things about Germany. Munich is definitely on our list. If we ever end up making those plans again, I may have to ask your son for a little inside advice on the best spots to hit up while we're there :)
DeleteJust let me know! But Berlin was his very favorite place in Germany. I have a 3rd cousin that I infrequently talk to online. He is still in the same tiny German village that my great great grandfather left in the 1880’s. I’d enjoy visiting him so that he could show me around.
DeleteDefinitely, I'll let you know. That is so cool that you have family in the same village dating that far back. How cool would that be to get a family tour there!?
DeleteOne of my uncles went a few years ago. It was nice to just see his photos.
DeleteWithout a doubt, that would have been a perfect family vacation. The fact that you had to scrap your plans is heartbreaking - but I admire your resilience and ability to take us on a delightful journey of what might have been.....
ReplyDeleteThe photos are all gorgeous - the lake and mountain views are so breathtakingly inspiring.
And I love the cabin (I'm not a camper, either...).
I sincerely hope you'll be able to take this journey at a future date.
I have absolutely no plans for traveling this summer.
I'm merely an armchair traveler here in my rural TN abode.
I’m glad you enjoyed my cyber vacation. I’ve been to a lot of national parks, but these photos blow me away. Magical.
DeleteWe've been to both places, Estes Park and Colorado Springs. Great places to explore. So sorry you guys couldn't do it this year. Hope you can do it sometime in the future! You won't be disappointed with what is there to see and do!
ReplyDeleteNo summer vacation plans but we were wondering about doing something in October for our 40th. Depends on what is opened. It would be in Arizona and only for a few days. We'll see.
betty
I’m happy to hear from someone who’s been there! I hope you get to go somewhere for your anniversary. That’s a milestone! Have you been to the Petrified Forest? I loved it.
DeleteOh Bijoux I'm so sorry you had to cancel, will you do it another time? I would love to stay in that cabin in the mountains. A couple of weeks before lockdown I booked a flight to Australia to visit my daughter for Christmas, I hope I will be able to go.
ReplyDeleteProbably not as we were doing it as part of a conference for my husband. I do hope you get to visit your daughter in December!
DeleteHi Bijoux from a first time visitor who has seen your comments on Jon’s blog. Unfortunately, you are not alone in a vacation cancellation. We may be facing a similar dilemma next month for a train trip to the Rocky Mountains in Canada. It was booked a month before the corona virus shutdowns in the US and Canada (who knew?) and our travel agent will update us in August. We have travel insurance, but have heard rescheduling dates will be offered in place of refunds and at this point may be the better option. Glad you were able to not lose too much $ and hopefully can take this wonderful trip one day. Enjoyed the virtual tour, thanks.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Beatrice! So nice to hear from you. Your trip sounds wonderful. I’ve always wanted to do a train trip in Canada, possibly between Montreal and Quebec. Visiting your blog now.
DeleteI've been to Colorado a couple of times when I was younger because that's where my sister and twin brothers live. Sorry that you had to cancel your trip. I had no plans on my list for this Summer. I don't like to travel.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you were able to see other parts of the country when you were younger. Thanks for commenting because I know how you have a lot on your plate right now.
DeleteBijoux, I am so sorry you had to scrap your travel plans. That looks like a fabulous trip, so I know it must have hurt to cancel it.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I visited my brother in Fort Collins, Colo. and I've been meaning to go back and see some more of that beautiful state.
I didn't have any specific travel plans for 2020 because the outbreak happened so early in the year.
I'm taking a "stay-cation" at the end of July because I see no sense in risking my health to visit places that will be either shutdown, or so severely limited that I'll have to wear a HAZMAT suit to get through the front door. And you can forget about flying with all those germs in the air!
Let's just hope this thing leaves us as soon as possible and we all get back to the lives we once knew. And maybe I'll meet you in Colorado!
I don’t remember you talking about a trip to Colorado in the past. There does seem to be a lot to do in that state. And yes, maybe our luck will turn around and we’ll both experience a Rocky Mountain high!
DeleteThis looks like a great vacation; what a shame you had to cancel it. I hope you can do it next year or another time soon. We drove out to Estes Park last September (mainly to check out the infamous Stanley Hotel). Had a delicious brunch and browsed a street fair. We'd talked about coming back this year and staying in the hotel for our anniversary, but obviously that won't be happening.
ReplyDeleteI had to cancel our long-planned family reunion in September and am pretty bummed about that. :(
It’s nice that you are within driving distance of the whole state of Colorado! So much to see and do. Bummer on the reunion. I know how hard those events are to plan and coordinate.
DeleteIt's frustrating that we're all having to curtail our holiday plans because of the virus. Your planned holiday looks great - maybe next year? (Jenny and I have been on the Rocky Mountaineer, which was fabulous) We had booked a holiday in Vienna at the end of May but that went pear-shaped. We still want to go to Vienna, so hopefully we can try again some time next year.
ReplyDeleteI have a bad feeling most of us won’t be able to travel until 2022, but time will tell. Vienna sounds delightful!
DeleteIt looks absolutely gorgeous. I hope you are able to re-book it when the pandemic is at least to a manageable state.
ReplyDeleteWe were so disappointed to cancel plans to go to Europe - the trip would have been end of next month. I don't see us traveling for a couple of years. I just don't want to get on a plane, for one thing.
We probably wouldn’t try again due to our reason for being in that area is gone. But who knows? I’m not looking forward to air travel again either. I have had a number of people tell me that this was their year for a trip to Europe to celebrate a milestone. So sad.
DeleteWow. What a trip you had planned. It would have been lovely. I hope you get a chance to take the trip in the near future. We had to cancel all of our trips this year. First, there was a spring break in San Diego, then, 4th of July on the Pacific coast and finally Christmas at Disneyland. Fortunately, we live in a beautiful state with lots to do so we have going out on the weekends trying to make the best of it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer! We went to San Diego and Coronado last summer. Such a fun place to visit. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWe will make it back someday. Thanks for stopping by my blog as well. Indeed, Ms. Frizzle is named after the Magic School Bus character.
DeleteI didn’t even know that show was still on! My kids are in their 20’s, so it’s been a while.
DeleteWe were watching the old one and Netflix rebooted a new one but I don't think it did very well. It was a strange show but my kids loved it.
DeleteMy kids never really liked it that much. They were more into Arthur and Zoom.
DeleteWonderful scenery! I wish I were there ❤
ReplyDeleteBlog de la Licorne * Instagram * We♥It
Well, me too.
DeleteGreat post--I've done that drive through Rocky Mountains NP and it is incredible (but my favorite is still the drive into Yellowstone from the north). This year isn't very for vacations--I was supposed to be in Boston in June to see the Red Sox play in Fenway and a Monet exhibit, but that's gone. Cabin in the mountains are our way of getting away and avoiding people!
Deletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
I'm glad to hear that the drive is as beautiful as the pictures. And we've done that drive only in reverse. We left Yellowstone at the north entrance because there happened to be a fire near the east entrance while we were there. Sadly, I just saw that the town of Gardiner, MT had a major fire. That's a shame about Boston, too.
DeleteI'm so sorry you had to cancel your vacation. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but it seems like the right decision. We're supposed to go to Folly Beach, SC in October. We haven't cancelled yet, but I think we will be cancelling soon. SC seems to be one of the few states doing worse than NC. Can you move any of your reservations to next year? That's what I'm thinking about trying to do with ours.
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle! That’s a shame about the beach. That whole Charleston area seems like a Covid hot spot right now. No, we won’t be going next year. Our reason for going was a conference for my spouse and the location changes every year. His company probably won’t even allow company travel next year!
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