Vacationing with my dog is something I’d wanted to do for years but couldn’t rationalize it. Thoughts of planning it veered into ruminating about its potential limitations. Could I eat at a restaurant? Where would he stay if I wanted to shop, go on an excursion, or do something in a pet-restricted area?

One worrisome question needled: Would the “vacation” end up as nothing more than a long drive with nowhere to go other than the car we came in?

Deep down, I knew I wanted to go and I knew I’d enjoy it, but it took a recent conversation with a loved one to push me to figure it out.

In that chat, I was reminding my younger brother – now married for five years and parenting twin toddlers – of his luck. He has stability. Purpose. A house filled with love. Things I was feeling, at least that day, I may not experience in my floundering.

Surprisingly, instead of the one-directional encouragement I usually get (“one day you’ll have this” or “it would be a shame if you were never a mom” or “you have such a big heart you ‘have’ to get married someday,” or even the reminders that yes, I am getting older… no, I don’t have forever, and nobody and no relationship is perfect), my little bro turned it around on me, giving me a reminder that I am lucky.

“You could do anything and go anywhere today if you felt like it. If you wanted to, you could be in Jamaica… tomorrow. A lot of people wish they had the freedom you have.”

Whoa. Two people, in different seasons and far different situations, highlighting what was great about the other person’s circumstances. It was a very basic realization that nudged me to do what I’d been holding off on: Break away.

Put the photo sessions on hold.

Request subs for the barre classes I teach.

Request some PTO and block off more than week without any real plan – other than having freedom to go enjoy something I love.

The most challenging part of this would be to not talk myself out of it. To avoid “keeping it simple” and spending that free time as I usually do, visiting parents, siblings or my boyfriend. I needed to commit to that time for just Hines and me.

Finally, I’d have to develop faith that traveling with my four-legged dog was a good idea.

And it was.

Venturing Out
I’ve loved Colorado and wanted to live there since I first experienced it in the early 2000s. Going back feels like visiting a place I belong. Though it was my third visit to my favorite mountain state, Hines had never seen the mountains. I’ve been hyper-aware that my trusty sidekick is growing older and I had a strong urge to show him the mountains before the hikes were beyond his capability.

We visited several cities, including Manitou Springs, Eagle, Edwards, Frisco, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Grand Lake and Estes Park.

Garden of the Gods
Near Manitou Springs, we took our first hiking venture through Garden of the Gods, a 1,000+ acre regional park in Colorado Springs. The park had towering red sandstone formations and people who absolutely LOVED Hines.

After exploring the Garden of the Gods, we spent a little time in downtown Manitou Springs, where we found lots of shops, entertainment, signage that make me smile and (Cha-ching!) Loft Espresso. I tied Hines to a hand rail and went in for an Americano. Then, met a dog and its owner walking in as I walked out. Opportunity missed.

I pulled up a chair outside and visited with a couple who was contemplating hiking the Manitou Incline, a steep hike with nearly 3,000-some railroad tie stair steps. Hikers gain 2,000 feet of elevation in less than one mile to the top. It sounded like you needed a reservation, really good lungs and insane motivation do it. Pets are also off-limits, so it wasn’t an option for us… shucks! I enjoyed coffee and a slow walk through town instead.

From a distance: the Manitou Incline(L). Downtown Manitou Springs(Mid, R).

11 Mile Canyon
Next, we took the advice of a Walgreens cashier and head to 11 Mile Canyon. She told us the 11 Mile Canyon was the reason people come to Colorado, so we obviously had to see it.

On arrival, we were greeted by an energetic park ranger who painted a beautiful picture: We’d drive alongside the waterfalls, bluffs and pitstops the entire way. She encouraged me to drive all the way to the top, turn around and then stop where I want to on the way down. As she took my $8 entrance fee, she made a promise.

“You’re going to love it,” she said.

And… we did!

We saw more people flyfishing than we’ve ever seen, and debated heading to the flyfishing/tackle outfitter to get a license and waders. Instead, I kept my fly rod in the trunk and promised myself I’d return to flyfish. Soon.

White River National Forest
The next day, by way of Google Maps, we found an equally gorgeous, but very different hike on “Cross Creek Trail” in the White River National Forest. It was a risky and rocky drive in, a curvy route that only added to our anticipation. That hike – the mud, the creeks, the colors, rocks, waterfall and rain – deepened my love for the outdoors, Colorado and my very wet dog who also appeared to be loving life.

At the end of the hike: a bridge that felt just a little too dangerous to cross. For Hines, of course. Not me.

Edwards and Eagle
At this point, we were well on our way to a great trip, but had only arrived to the destination we chose to stay in for a few days: Edwards. There, Hines and I hit a rhythm of rest and activity. While Hines snored the morning away, I’d do some work, writing or explore people-only things, and then we’d set out for dog-friendly activities in the afternoon.

One day I had the opportunity to ride the Red Neck Ridge singletrack on a QuietKat e-bike! QuietKat is a brand in the Vista Outdoor family, my employer, so I hit the streets of Eagle and a few trails with a co-worker to see what the e-bike hype was about. Turns out it’s quite cool and makes a long, steep ride uphill rather enjoyable.

We enjoyed exploring the Edwards area, continuing to seek out stunning hikes and activities.

Finally, it was time to head to our next stop: Steamboat Springs. But first…!

Journey to Steamboat Springs
We took a magical highway, (official name “Trough Road 11”), a 24.4-mile winding, wide, hard-packed-dirt mountain drive with amazing views, breathtaking hairpin turns and zero cell service to a hot spring in Kremmling that snugs up to the Colorado River.

It was another adventurous hike down to the hot spring, and one we had to repeat: the first time to check it out and discover it wasn’t possible to get down the bluffs, and the second because we ran into a group of people who promised it was possible to get down the bluffs.

The person who encouraged us also gave us the extra push we needed, letting us know with all sincerity “It’s my favorite place in the whole world.”

And I can see why! (Hines not so much, the water was warm and he was tired from hiking that trail twice.)

Any time Hines gets a little too far ahead of me, he turns around and waits. I imagine him thinking... "you comin' lady?"

Steamboat Springs
Our first day in Steamboat, I visited a botanical garden in the morning, and later that afternoon Hines and I attempted an unintentionally challenging hike. I picked a convenient spot with good reviews, and we head out. I was hoping to get TWO hikes in that day, so the pup and I were going to hit up Fish Creek Falls, take a break and head to another spot.

But when we arrived at the falls, we had options. We saw the low falls within about ¼ mile and had an option to continue. I had plenty of water (I thought), and it was a gorgeous day… why wouldn’t we continue?

It was a long hike, and we ended up getting lost and returning to the car after about three hours of hiking rocks and switchbacks. But that hike, even though we fell short, brought amazing views, great exercise, lots of praise for Hines from fellow hikers, extreme joy for both of us and a few interesting interactions. One in particular stands out.

Birthday Boy
We were still on our way up, wondering how much further it could possibly be. A well-outfitted man was descending and instantaneously made it known he was a dog lover.

“There’s a big boy!” he said, reaching toward Hines. He greeted him with similar love and joy as kids do, interacting more with him than me, and welcoming Hines’ abundant slobber on the thigh of his gray hiking pants.

He finally looked up at me.

“Today is my 65^th birthday!” he volunteered.

I wished him a happy birthday and asked him in his 65 years what advice he could give.

He didn’t hesitate.

“Enjoy life. Do whatever you can to enjoy life.”

Tears welled up instantly and I used Hines as a distraction to cover my emotional reaction. We wished each other well and parted ways.

But as I watched my hiking boot hit stable ground, step-by-step for the next portion of the trail, I contemplated the paths that man and I each took in deciding to take that hike on that day, at that time. I wondered about the delivery of the man’s message that afternoon, and how I was so lucky as to be the one who received his words of wisdom.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Before long, we were ready to head to Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park and begin the journey home. Grand Lake was a super cool little town with a lot going on. Located just a few miles from the entrance into the park, it was the perfect spot to stop for a quick lunch before heading into the park.

In Rocky Mountain National Park, Hines and I saw our first moose and elk and felt the temperatures fall… fast!

We came out of the park into Estes Park, and because of the rain, felt continuing our drive was the best option.

Homeward Bound
When I was blocking out time on my calendar, I felt like I was going to be away for so long. Instead, once I packed and departed, it went by in a blur. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to more deeply explore a place I adore with the dog I love and do a little self-discovery in the process. If there’s something pulling at you, I’d encourage you to do the same. Or, in the words of a wise man I once met… “Do whatever you can to enjoy life.”

Shootin’ the Wit is a sporadic blog about everyday life that should never, ever be taken too seriously.