⛰️Travelog ~ Mile Markers & Mountain Views: Our Two Weeks of Colorado Contrast

⛰️Mile Markers & Mountain Views: Our Two Weeks of Colorado Contrast

You know how some trips just stick with you? Our two-week Colorado stint was exactly that—a total soul reset wrapped up in a perfect, slightly hilarious series of contrasts. As full-time RV'ers, establishing a temporary basecamp is essential, and our time anchored in Fort Morgan before tackling the mountains was just right.

Fort Morgan: Home is Where the Hookups Are

You know how some trips just stick with you? Our two-week Colorado stint was exactly that—a total soul reset wrapped up in a perfect, slightly hilarious series of contrasts. As full-time RV'ers, establishing a temporary basecamp is essential, and our time anchored in Fort Morgan before tackling the mountains was just right.

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Fort Morgan: Earning Trust in a Tight-Knit Community

We planted our rig in Fort Morgan, a place that completely disproved the idea that you have to be in a resort town to feel good about the world. This is a community with a clear vision, one that even caught the eye of HGTV for a "Home Town" renovation episode a few years back! You can see the effort everywhere—the city lives by its mission: "beautiful, clean, and safe."

But unlike a breezy tourist town, Fort Morgan is a tight-knit community where relationships are everything. We quickly realized you need to earn the trust of the locals, but once you do, they are genuinely welcoming and warm. This focus on strong businesses and neighborhoods truly showed. We spent our chill days enjoying the open plains and soaking up the kindness of the people. Fort Morgan was the perfect, grounding prologue before we hitched the truck for a day trip to the literal high points.

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Estes Park: Humbling Majesty and Black Friday Crowds

The main event was a classic Colorado day trip: an early start from Fort Morgan and a scenic drive up through the dramatic twists and turns of the Big Thompson Canyon Road. What a way to enter the mountains!

Our first stop? The legendary Stanley Hotel. We needed a warm-up after the drive, so we ducked into the famous, slightly spooky halls for a coffee. It’s hard not to feel like a character in a Stephen King novel as you wander around that impressive architecture!

Recharged, we headed into the vibrant downtown Estes Park. We knew of Estes Park, but had never visited, making it an unexpected gem. That downtown, though? It was bustling! We’re talking Black Friday busy every single day, but the crowds just underscored its popularity as a true mountain escape.

We channeled our purchasing power into the most consumable souvenir possible: a hefty supply of that iconic Purple Mountain taffy. We enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the scenic Riverwalk, and admired the town’s ability to blend commerce with nature.

We were hoping to ride the Aerial Tramway, but the high-altitude winds were no joke—gusts upwards of 30 mph! So, no tram for us 😔. But the real reward was the proximity to the Rockies. Surrounded by that majestic Rocky Mountain scenery, the air was a literal breath of fresh mountain air. It was a humbling experience, leaving you feeling delightfully small against the towering peaks.

The Peak to Peak and Rolling South

The best part of the day trip was the return journey. Instead of the highway, we took the legendary Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. This drive was simply superior. It was a thrilling, winding journey past the continental divide, through historic mining towns, like Nederland and along constant, breathtaking views of the Front Range.

The Peak to Peak was an absolute highlight, a spectacular way to transition back to the calm of our Fort Morgan basecamp after a day of mountain drama and sugar overload.

After two packed weeks of plains and peaks, it was time for the next mile marker. We pulled in the slides and pointed our rig south toward Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our journey showed us that genuine fulfillment comes from both the community we build and the wild spaces we preserve. Now, with the mountains in the rearview, we’re chasing the desert sun, carrying forward a piece of that clear Colorado air and a whole lot of gratitude for the open road. New Mexico, here we come!