Welcome to Travel Tuesday! We’re still catching up from my road trip and are going horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains today! In case you don’t get your fill of horses, I also talked about the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota last week!
We got to Colorado (Estes Park, to be exact!) later in the evening and found a pretty riverwalk to walk down/explore after dinner. They had lots of cool shops with souvenirs and outdoor supplies that we browsed through!
Part of me would so very much love to live in Colorado… <3
Jaclyn and I stayed at the Estes Lake Lodge in Estes Park (~$139/night, so about $70 each!). It had beautiful lake views from our balcony, free private parking + wifi. The lobby had a ton of movies/games for rental, extra toiletries in case you forget anything (+ even bug spray!) + a picnic area with BBQ facilities. (Would be a great place for a couple to stay in for a weekend getaway!)
Horseback Riding in the Rocky Mountains
But…on to horseback riding! <3 I haven’t gone horseback riding in aaaages. Back when I was at Davis, I’d volunteer for 4-5 hours a week in exchange for free riding lessons.
I was thisclose to learning to jump, but then summer ended. They actually even offered me a job, but I had to turn it down because I was already working 3 part-time jobs and taking a billion classes/trying to do everything in the world.
Long story short, I haven’t been on a horse in a little over a decade. We decided to go with a trail ride offered by the Cowpoke Corner Corral, which was super close to the lodge we were staying at.
We opted for the 2-hour ride, which climbs up Giant Track Mountain and gives you a beautiful view of Rocky Mountain National Park (+ the Continental Divide!)! There were only 6 people on our group trail ride, so it wasn’t super crowded.
They have rides ranging from 10 minutes (pony rides for kids) to 4 hours (for riders with more experience)! I’d totally be down for the 4 hour ride if I get to go back someday! (Colorado is definitely at the top of my re-visit list. <3)
The Continental Divide is behind us!
Ponderosa Pines may well be one of my newest favorite trees (them + redwoods!). On warmer days, if you lean in close to the bark and sniff it, it’ll give off a scent similar to butterscotch/vanilla! (Yes, I did decide to try sniffing some trees while riding.)
- Have you ever gone horseback riding?
- Have you ever been to Colorado? (This was my first time there, unless you count sleeping under some chairs at the airport several years ago!)
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I haven’t gone horseback riding since I was a child! It wasn’t a pleasant experience back then–but I’d be willing to give it a try now. Looks beautiful there. I don’t blame you for wanting to live in Colorado!
It was super pretty! I’ve missed riding so much–hoping I can go again someday (sooner rather than later)! *-*
I’ve never tried horse riding before, it’s so cool that you got lessons in exchange for volunteering! And I loved the part of this post where you talk about the Ponderossa and leaning back to smell the trees. Sounds like you had a great time!
It definitely was! :]! I hope I can go back sometime!
What a lovely post, I bet it was so much fun!
It definitely was! :]
So fun! I can’t wait to see Colorado one day. The cloud in one of your pics looked like a dinosaur or something. Do you see it or is it just me? Ha! Beautiful pictures though. The last time I was in a horse was a couple years ago in South Dakota but before that it was many years ago. It’s fun to do. Love those horses.
And I loved your post!
hehehe, is it the one with me/my friend in it + does it look like it has its mouth open? :P (If so, I see it too! :O )
Thanks so much! <3!!
What a unique way to experience the Rocky Mountains! I’ll keep this in mind when we visit!
Yay! I hope you have fun when you go! :]
This sounds amazing! We rode horses in Wyoming when I younger, but this seems even more like a unique experience. Putting this on my “to-do” like next time we are out west!
I’ve never been to Colorado but clearly I need to add it to my bucket list, it looks like so much fun. I would love to go horseback riding there. Thanks for sharing this inspiration!
Colorado was definitely on my bucket list for ages–I want to go back!! Hope you get to go sometime! :]!
Omigosh, we were just in the Rocky Mountains of CO a couple of months ago. I didn’t know there was a horseback riding tour. How cool!!! Sad we missed it, but that just means we’ll need to go back!
Ah, that’s so cool! We didn’t go in the actual national park since it was way cheaper to ride right outside of it. I definitely didn’t get to do all the things I wanted to do while I was there, so I need to go back too! :P
I´ve gone horseback riding a few times, but I haven´t been to Colorado yet! Nature looks so amazing there!
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Everything is so beautiful there–I need to go back! :]
I’ve not been horseback riding in years! What a beautiful looking trek! Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Thanks for stopping by! :]!! It was lots of fun!
Oh, we’re going to Estes Park this summer, and I’m so excited! I haven’t been horseback riding since I was little, and I’d love to go again!
Yay! I’m super excited for you–hope you have a ton of fun!
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I’ve always wanted to go horseback riding, and it seems even more awesome to do it in the Rocky Mountains. Great post!
I hope you get to go sometime! I’ve missed it so much!
I haven’t been on a horse since I was 15, and I’m so jealous! I think we have a sanctuary / reserve out here in Oklahoma, too, but it’s been so long since I looked it up… I may have to do so again, and plan a trip out there.