Two weeks ago my family and I took a trip to Vallecito Lake in Colorado. This man made reservoir is 23 miles Northeast of Durango and somehow remains lovely and unspoiled in this day and age. I thought it might be nice to kick off a summer travel series. Wayfaring Wednesday.
Wayfaring Wednesday
The San Juan National Forest area offers several lovely campground areas. No tv and no phone reception sounded like heaven to Mr. Décor.
I am going to let you in on a little secret. I don’t like camping. Now before you get ready to extol the virtues of the activity let me stop you. I spent my childhood camping. My family camped while clamming at Bodega Bay, during family reunions and various other journeys. I was a Girl Scout from Brownies all the way through Seniors. A lot of camping was required to earn certain badges. Sometimes in the open, sometimes with a tent. Hard core camping. I could build you an outdoor shelter like nobody’s business. But I am an adult now and choose to not pop a tent, shower in public or potty with bears anymore. Yes, I gave Mr. Décor full disclosure BEFORE we were married. A few times a year I happily send him out into the wild with sweet boy. But with me along for this adventure we opted for a cabin.
Things To Do
It was still rustic and required that I plan a menu in advance and cart in a weeks worth of groceries to cook in a “kitchen” supplied with very basic tools. Mr. Décor was happy because he could go boating, canoeing, fishing or just walk along a very lovely lakeshore.
At Elk Point Lodge they offered horse back riding. We put Sweet Boy on a gentle horse named Missy but he wasn’t having any of it. I try not to force terrorization on my kids, so Mr. Décor went off for a ride alone while Sweet Boy and I skimmed stones on the lake.
Everyday we went for a hike on a different trail. We forged streams and conquered mountains.
One of us fell into a stream and wasn’t too happy about having wet pants.
The surrounding area also offers several other activities such as zip lining, museums and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We spent one day of our visit at Trimble Hot Springs enjoying the sauna, a soak in the hot mineral pool and cooling off in the icy pool.
Mesa Verde National Park
At the end of the week we arose early to begin our journey home. We stopped at Mesa Verde National Park to view and tour the amazing cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi between 550 to 1300 AD. Put this place on the top of your “must see” bucket list.
Ever feel like you need to be in four places at once? Well, it can really happen at the four corners of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. ( I made Sweet Boy’s crocodile applique shirt for his end of school talent show number of dancing to “Crocodile Rock”. I should share the video. It’s fantastically entertaining. 🙂
Nearing the end of our journey we did the Mexican Hat Dance in front of the Mexican Hat rock formation (upside down sombrero) near Monument Valley.
Have you been to these places?
Laura
Amazing pictures and places. Those are fun places to visit and looks like your hubby and son had a great time. You too, and I like that cute cabin. That would be me too, I'd rather stay in the cabin….Christine
Beautiful scenery, I am not much for roughing it!After getting a weeks worth of meals together were you too tired to enjoy everything.LOL!!
Laura,
I am much like you regarding camping — been there, done that — room service! (The worst was survival and winter camp as a teen.) Cabins are the way to go. Your photographs are stunning. I'd love to know more about your experience at Trimble Hot Springs. Too bad Sweet Boy isn't closer. I've had horses since I was a child. I showed and gave lessons. I will certainly add Mesa Verde National Park to our bucket list.
Will be back later to link up!
Your Friend,
Deborah
I love to camp…and now its Brian who doesn't! lol!! I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee these photos!! looks like a magical vacations!!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
What a beautiful location for a vacation. Living in the desert (as you do) I always long to travel to places that have water nearby. I never camped in my life until we had kids. Then I gamely went along (although flush toilet campgrounds were a MUST) for years until the oldest kid went to college. My camping days are now over. Although I do cherish the memories…
I love to camp but I haven't in ages. However, have you heard of “glamping”? You need to check into it!
LOVED these beautiful photos. Totally gorgeous.
What a gorgeous vacation! I love horseback riding, but haven't gone in years. I don't know how well my youngest would handle it. He's a lot like your Sweet Boy. I'll be sharing a camping trip from earlier this year today. It was at an amusement park, so not “real camping.” We're actually headed camping this weekend, so I'll have new “real camping” pictures for next week. Thanks for sharing and for hosting this fun party.
Looks like your vacation was a success even if camping is not your thing. We pretty much have the same view on camping. I really don't like it much either. However my hubby and son think its the bomb so we are going camping next week. My only stipulation is that its not in a tent so this year we will be camping in an RV. Oh yes, air, comfy beds and somewhat indoor plumbing. I'm hoping to find some nice little shops and yardsales near by and to catch up on reading a few magazines. Wish me luck. Have a great summer.
Haven't been much of anywhere for a few weeks now. But I live in Colorado, and though I haven't been to where you were, the beauty is the one of the reasons why I love living here so much. It's easy to get captured by it, even when in the city.
What great photos you have captured,,,and memories!! That shot of the cliff dwelling is amazing! Must add to my places to visit…thanks for sharing!
What gorgeous scenery and that cabin is so sweet! You know, I have never camped before!
Love Love Love the scenery!!! Here in northwest Indiana it's pretty flat and just lots of trees and farms. Which is ok, but I long to see mountains in the background, sigh…someday maybe I will. I am like you, I will go camping but give me a real bed and bathroom at least, so your cabin sounds like a really great way to go 🙂
What a pretty place! My idea of roughing it, is a nice motel with a variety of good places to eat within walking distance. 😀
Des photos magnifiques qui me font rêver. Vous m'avez fait découvert une belle région…
Gros bisous
Laura,
These photos are beautiful. I'm not one for camping, and don't have the Brownie experience under my belt so I just sound like a spoiled diva.
However, some experiences are priceless and this looks to be one of them.
I'm linking up my mom's cottage post from our trip this month. I haven't had time to write a new one yet on the day we went to Calabash, NC. I am going to tweet your blog and post on Facebook to help you promote.
Leigh
Laura,
I just tweaked today's blog so that your banner is in the latest post and in the post for Wayfaring Wednesday.
Leigh
Hi Laura,
I love sharing my photos of Scotland and more photos from my wonderful trip next week.
xo
Betty
Did I miss your announcement about a winner of your giveaway?
Gorgeous vacation spot and the pics are absolutely perfect Ü
Laura, what a wonderful time you had. I have actually been to that spot with the pueblos with my dad probably 43 years ago. Love your cabin – I'm with you on the camping in tents, but I surely miss our pop-up camper. I loved to sleep in that! We travel next month, but I will put in our last weekend's adventure! Sweetboy is getting so big! Ann
My goodness… it is gorgeous! Those photos only confirmed how much I want to move out there! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Your Colorado pictures are lovely. My best friend lives in Colorado, but I've never been there yet. The Mexican Hat Rock Formation is amazing. Such beautiful photos.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Thanks for your comment today Laura 🙂 And yes, I did get my dress from Shabby Apple! I just loveeeeeeeeeee it! :):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Loved the snippets from your fabulous trip. Also enjoyed your comment just now on Privet and Holly. Yes we are all longing for connection. Suzanne always, as you said “finds a way into our hearts”. It just makes me sad that we don't really have the time to share it. We're just all so busy. Have a great Summer. Mona
I went back and forth between the hospital, the nursing home and my moms house……..does it count as a vacation???? NO! So when I get the chance, I'll have to share something from the last vacation I had in 2002…..my honeymoon in York, England.
Miss you, I hope things settle down for me soon and that we can play.
Love ya'
Meri
Loved reading (and seeing) about your fantastic journey! 🙂 Beautiful! But as for camping…. do you know, I've never camped. Ever. We bought a tent so that Sarah and her friends could “camp” in the backyard and I think maybe they've made it out there for the whole night – once. I don't think I would like camping much. A nice motor home, a cabin, or even better – a lovely resort along a lake. That's camping to me. 😀
We're just back home after our 2-day jaunt to Chicago. Even with 100+ degree heat – it was a beautiful trip. One of our best yet. 🙂
Oh my goodness. I took my kids on the same trip 30 years ago to Durango, the train, the hot springs and the ruins! That is so bizarre. I must say we still talk about that trip and I loved that part of our country. Thanks so much for your pictures and descriptions! Love this blog even more today. mary in glendale
Laura, What beautiful scenery and neat adventure. I am with you on the camping. I complained about camping in Alaska in a nice motor home. Certainly do know about bringing a weeks worth of groceries too.
Laura, what breath-taking scenery. Your photos look like post cards. laurie
Laura, what a fantastic family trip!! Hint: I am not a camper either!! I can tell you all had a great time and the scenery is beautiful!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh my what a trip back in time it was for me looking at your photos! I have ridden that train, 25 years ago and have stood on the exact spot your son stood on at 4 corners. Such great memories! Kit
Gorgeous pictures and looks like you had a wonderful time. I'm just like you, don't care to rough it anymore, and Hubby is on the same page…thank God!