To save you dear reader from a droning soliloquy of ponderings and journal entries from my vacation, I present to you some practical tips and recommendations for visiting Colorado and New Mexico.
1. The Colorado Renaissance Faire was a wonderful experience, especially for my older girls. We did indeed meet all the interesting creatures mentioned in the previous post and had a wonderful time. I myself fell into the part as a "big bad wolf" for Mardi Gras days at the faire. My brother Geoff, the creative force behind Stonecraftarts has a booth of his amazing works.
2. Colorado is a wonderful place to visit, but camping spots are scarce. Make reservations early. We missed-out on camping at Mueller State Park, just West of Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain National Park, though crowded as well is my top destination from previous visits. Do yourself a favor and get there one day.
3. Thanks to my friend and co-worker Keith, we enjoyed rustic but peaceful living in the Cimarron Canyon east of Taos. Northern New Mexico is now my favorite destination with beautiful scenery, less crowded than it’s Northern neighbor and many activities for folks of all ages. The Enchanted Circle that surrounds the Taos Valley is chocked full of adventures waiting to happen. The Rio Grande Gorge pictured above is one of many stops along the way.
4. The most wonderful surprise was a spontaneous trip to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. Ghost Ranch, former home to the artist Georgia O’Keefe, is a conference center, education center, overnight camping and much more. It is one of the top paleontology sites in the country with an onsite museum. In our short 48 hours at the ranch we went swimming, hiked to Box Canyon, did some horseback riding, ate the most nutritious and delicious camp food of our lives, checked-out books from their library, dropped into a class on world music, attended a beautiful chapel service, visited with delightful people and connected with God in His creation. The contrasts of greens, reds, browns and blues are amazing. The Ranch is now operated by the Presbyterian Church but has a very open and welcoming attitude for people of all faiths.
5. Travelling light is the way to go. For an inexpensive luggage rack, I picked-up a bike-rack at Wal-Mart for $40. This provided just enough external storage for camping gear, freeing up room inside for a comfy ride for the kiddos. We packed the bare necessities which proved to be a blessing with less stuff to deal with.
6. Napping in Wal-Mart parking lots on the night drive home saved the kids from endless hours of daylight travel through monotonous landscape.
7. DVD’s at truckstops can be purchased for as little as $10. For those awake hours, nothing occupies the kiddos like a new movie.
8. Plan-in slack into your trip. Getting back to town a day and a half provided the readjustment time needed before returning to work.
9. Take along plenty of music. For $30 there’s a short-range radio device you stick in your car lighter that broadcasts back to your radio. It takes either an MP3 player or even better a memory stick full of music. Essential for any long trip. (See Gadget Review for details).
10. A family of five can get away for a delightful nine day trip for $1,000 dollars. Less even if you camp every night. We are committed to staying within a budget and still had a wonderful vacation.
11. Vacation often. Time away, resting from your labors is more than a luxury. I’m committed to daily, weekly, monthly and yearly cycles of rest. I may blog soon on the benefits of what has been called for centuries the sabath rest. It’s a gift God has given us from the beginning of days.