Estes Park, Colorado

I have a slight obsession with Estes Park, Colorado.

Sort of like one might obsess about a TV show.

Or shoes.

Or purses.

I am completely obsessed with the cute little mountain town.

And, of course, the Rockies that stand as the town's backdrop.

Every time I visit my grandparents, I request that we go to Estes.

Most people want to shop or find new places to explore when they go on vacation.

Not me.

I would literally camp in a field, subjecting myself to wild animals and extreme weather,

just to wake up to a view of the Rockies.

I'm crazy.

I know.

But this girl is a mountain girl.

Not a beach girl.

Not a desert girl.

And definitely not a plains girl.

I am a mountain girl.

And this is why I love the Rockies.

I also happen to love elk, bears, and other wildlife that roam the park.

Now, I've seen a lot of elk and deer over the years in the park.

Once I even saw a moose.

But no bears or long horn sheep.

I could probably do without the bears.

The sheep, well, I'd like to see them someday.

Anyway, my uncle decided to drive us to the top of the tundra.

The ride is beautiful.

It's also very long.
And the temperature dropped about 30 degrees.

So, my advice?

Bring a jacket if you go to Estes...even in the summertime.

You'll need it.

My aunt and I climbed to the top of the tundra.

We literally had to trek through an snow field to get there.

I'm not even lying.

It was intense. 

I was pretty sure I was going to slip and break an arm.

I, however, did not.

Instead, I was plagued with what I like to call "weak lungs."

The Rocky Mountain National Park sits at like 12,000 feet above sea level.

That's somewhere around 2.27 miles.

The point is that you're literally on top of the world.

And altitude sickness can set in.

After venturing to the top of Pike's Peak nearly 10 years ago, I felt awful for days afterward.

I knew that if I climbed to the top of the tundra, I may end up sick again.

I'm used to 636 feet above sea level.

Not 12,000!

But I took my time and really listened to my body.

I made it to the top...eventually.

Remember? Weak lungs.

The view was breathtaking.

And I truly enjoyed seeing the Rockies from the top of the tundra.

This is me...on top of the tundra.

My hair is a mess.

I look a little flushed from the altitude.

But I made it!

It was a good moment.

Then we headed down, grabbed coffee and chatted for a while.

As we were leaving, I noticed large clouds of smoke over the Rockies.

A fire started on the other side of the park.

It was caused by lightening and was not endangering people or structures.

It was strange to see the view obscured by the orange smoke.

But we made it down safely and headed to shop in Estes.

As always, my time in Estes was well spent.

And I look forward to my next adventure there.

Whenever that may be.