Happy New Year, fellow adventurers! As we step into a fresh year, I trust your holiday hangovers are fading and your New Year’s resolutions remain firmly in sight. With 364 days stretching before us, there’s ample time to turn those aspirations into realities. Let’s make this year an epic journey!
Speaking of journeys, our last update left us in quite the predicament. We had just totaled our car after an unexpected encounter with a deer just outside Rapid City, South Dakota. For those who watched our video, you know the situation quickly escalated into a mix of delirium and disbelief. Yet, a few calming glasses of vino helped us regain our composure. By 9:00 AM the following morning, fortified and resolute, we were back on the road in a rental SUV, ready to embark on the next thrilling segment of our Great American Road Trip, proving that even setbacks can’t derail a true wanderer’s spirit.
This leg of our adventure plunged us through the vast, untamed landscapes of Wyoming and across the breathtaking expanse of Colorado. The accompanying video and this detailed post chronicle three eventful days, offering an immersive look into the unexpected beauty and challenges we encountered. We’ve meticulously broken down this journey into three distinct parts, allowing you to follow our path as we navigated storms, spontaneous detours, and heartwarming connections, making for an unforgettable travel narrative.
Navigating the Storm: From South Dakota to Walden, Colorado
Our initial push from South Dakota took us deep into Wyoming, with our ultimate destination being the charming town of Walden, Colorado. Nestled in North Eastern Colorado, on the western fringe of the majestic Medicine Bow National Forest, Walden promised a tranquil retreat. Our choice to stay there was purely driven by discovery: I stumbled upon what looked like the cutest Airbnb imaginable – a rustic trapper cabin – and I was determined to make it part of our itinerary, regardless of how far it stretched our route. This commitment to unique stays often leads to the most memorable experiences, even if it means a little extra driving (a sentiment from someone who contributed a mere 0.05% of the actual driving, mind you!).
But before we settled into the cozy warmth of that cabin, let’s rewind to the drive itself – the transition from collecting our rental car in Rapid City to unwinding by a crackling fire in Walden. The journey through Wyoming to Walden was, for lack of a better word, an epic whiteout storm. The entire landscape was shrouded in a thick veil of snow, reducing visibility to mere feet. If there were beautiful vistas, we wouldn’t have known, as our eyes remained glued to the tail lights of the vehicle ahead. Every five minutes, my heart would leap into my throat, convinced I saw another deer darting across the road, a lingering trauma from our recent accident. It took several days to shake this hyper-vigilance, and honestly, I still feel a little jumpy in the car. Strangely, I found myself grateful for our totaled Prius; there’s no way that compact car would have navigated such treacherous conditions. This, however, was just the first taste of the winter storms awaiting us; Utah, as we’d soon discover, had even more in store.
Our journey included a necessary stop at the Laramie food coop, where we stocked up on provisions for a much-needed dinner. From there, we continued our trek, hauling our beast of an SUV through the dark, snowy mountains. The challenging drive only intensified our anticipation for the Airbnb. Upon arrival, the cabin did not disappoint; it was every bit as magical and inviting as its online photos had promised, a true haven after a day of battling the elements.
After an exhausting 24 hours filled with unexpected turns, we spent the evening indulging in good company, relaxing by the fire, and finally, getting some restorative sleep. Waking up to a genuine winter wonderland, the landscape transformed into a sparkling expanse of fresh snow, was a sight to behold. Our spirits were lifted, especially watching Bodhi discover snow for the very first time. His pure, unadulterated joy as he bounded and rolled in the soft powder was infectious, making me dislike winter just a little less.
After exploring the charming property around our Walden cabin, we were eager to resume our journey, aiming to reach Fort Collins in time for a Friendsgiving celebration hosted by one of C’s closest friends. Our route took us along Highway 14, carving a path through the majestic Colorado Rockies. We had grand visions of embarking on scenic hikes and enjoying a leisurely lunch at an adorable little restaurant along the way. However, true to the theme of this road trip, our plans were once again thwarted. All hiking trails were inaccessible due to heavy snow, and the charming restaurant we’d eyed lacked a pet-friendly patio, meaning Bodhi would have to stay in the car – a non-starter for us. At this point, the constant disruption of our carefully laid plans began to wear on my patience, leading to a touch of snarkiness. If you watch the video, you might catch my rather serious “resting b*tch face” around the 2:30 mark, a testament to my mild exasperation.
Despite the deviations, we managed to make several stops for impromptu photo opportunities, basking in the glorious Colorado sun. Seriously, Colorado, what magic do you weave with your sunshine? It’s unlike anywhere else, illuminating the snowy peaks and valleys with a radiant, almost ethereal glow, making every view postcard-perfect even when plans go awry.
Finding Community in Fort Collins, Colorado
We finally pulled into Fort Collins in the late afternoon, our hunger pangs quickly remedied by a delightful late lunch at Tasty Harmony. This vegetarian and vegan eatery was an absolute gem. Whether you’re a dedicated plant-based eater or simply curious, their innovative dishes and vibrant flavors make it a must-visit spot. Their creative menu offered a refreshing change from typical road trip fare, a welcome culinary highlight.
The remainder of the afternoon was dedicated to reconnecting with friends, grocery shopping, and preparing for the much-anticipated Friendsgiving celebration. My contribution to the potluck was, predictably, a version of my Easy Kale Salad – because, yes, I’m “that girl” who brings kale to a party! The evening was filled with laughter, good food, and the warmth of genuine camaraderie, a perfect antidote to the previous days’ travel stresses.
Perhaps it’s a broad generalization, but based on this profound experience, I can confidently say that everyone we met in Fort Collins, Colorado, possessed an incredible spirit of kindness and hospitality. We walked into a room buzzing with approximately 25 strangers, and every single person went out of their way to make us feel utterly at home. After the intense and often unpredictable couple of days we’d just navigated, we were desperately in need of some good, genuine people, and Colorado delivered far more than we could have ever deserved. To all our new friends in Fort Collins, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You fully embodied the true spirit of Friendsgiving, making us feel like family, and let’s not forget, you cooked some absolutely incredible food. You are forever welcome in our future home, wherever that may be!
The next morning, bright and early, we embraced a quintessential Fort Collins experience by waiting in line for brunch at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. The anticipation built as we chatted with other patrons, and let me tell you, it was 100% worth every minute of the wait. I finally got my much-needed fix of quinoa, a grossly lacking commodity after three days mostly spent on the road. The vibrant atmosphere and creative menu, featuring inventive pancakes and savory benedicts, provided the perfect start to our day.
After heartfelt goodbyes to our newfound friends, we hit the road once more, setting our sights westward towards Moab, Utah. Little did we know, the journey ahead was poised to unfold into one of the most spectacularly beautiful drives in the entire United States, a testament to Colorado’s diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes.
The Scenic Detour: Fort Collins to Moab, Utah via Colorado National Monument
Our initial plan involved heading south from Fort Collins towards Denver, with a planned detour cutting through the iconic Rocky Mountain National Park. However, adhering faithfully to the overarching theme of “nothing goes according to plan during our road trip,” the main road into RMNP (Highway 34, Trail Ridge Road) was closed due to winter conditions. At this point, the sheer comical irony of how little of our meticulously planned itinerary we were actually executing struck us. Instead of frustration, a wave of acceptance washed over me. Once again, I simply laughed, literally screamed “YOLO!” (You Only Live Once), and embraced the notion that this must be part of some grander, unseen plan. Flexibility, we learned, was the most crucial item on our packing list.
While I absolutely intend to return to Rocky Mountain National Park in the future to fully explore its grandeur, I’m now incredibly happy that we simply hit the road and allowed ourselves to be guided by spontaneity. Instead of adhering strictly to a schedule, we took brief, impromptu stops and indulged in mini-hikes off Interstate 70, which traverses across the magnificent state of Colorado. This unexpected change of pace allowed us to witness truly unforgettable sights, landscapes that unfolded before us like a living painting, revealing the raw, untamed beauty of the Colorado wilderness.
From these picturesque I-70 stops, we continued our westward trajectory, hoping to make it into Moab, Utah, just in time for sunset. However, at the very last minute – and I mean, quite literally, a spontaneous 10-second split decision that led to an immediate highway exit – we opted for a detour to the magnificent Colorado National Monument. This wasn’t on our original itinerary, but after bypassing Rocky Mountain National Park, we felt an undeniable itch for some National Park land, craving the monumental landscapes that only these protected areas can offer. The desire for sweeping vistas and natural grandeur was too strong to ignore.
I am overwhelmingly glad we made that spontaneous decision. Witnessing the sunset over the dramatic canyons and towering monoliths of Colorado National Monument was an absolutely breathtaking experience. The sky erupted in a symphony of oranges, purples, and deep reds, painting the ancient rock formations in an ethereal glow. It’s truly an overlooked public land, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, but it offers a unique blend of high desert canyons and distinctive sandstone formations that are profoundly beautiful. If you ever have the chance to stop there, I implore you: DO IT. You won’t regret immersing yourself in its serene, majestic beauty.
After the spectacular sunset, we navigated the winding roads out of the monument and merged onto a smaller freeway heading south towards Moab. A part of me wished we weren’t driving it in the dark, as I’m quite certain it was an incredibly beautiful road, offering potentially stunning views of the transitioning landscape. However, I have absolutely no regrets about our impromptu stop at Colorado National Monument; the sunset alone made it worthwhile. Plus, this meant we woke up the next morning to discover this breathtaking sight right outside our door, hinting at the adventures that lay ahead in Utah’s iconic red rock country.
And that concludes the Colorado chapter of our incredible road trip! There is so much more of this diverse and stunning state that I’m eager to explore in the future, but I know, without a doubt, that I will be back to uncover more of its hidden gems and celebrated wonders. Stay tuned for next week’s post, which will delve into our exciting adventures in Moab, Utah, including unforgettable stops at the iconic Arches National Park and the majestic Capitol Reef National Park. As always, I would be absolutely thrilled if you took a moment to check out the video from this segment and perhaps gave it a thumbs up. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one enthusiastically watching my travel videos, and I’d genuinely love to hear if anyone else out there enjoys following along on our adventures!