Embracing A New Journey through Camping and Hiking in Colorado.

Soaring mountains, pristine lakes, and winding trails – Colorado offers an outdoor paradise for adventure seekers. As a passionate hiker and camper, my journey through the picturesque landscapes of Colorado has been nothing short of awe-inspiring as I start a new path in life.

After an incredible backpacking trip in July I found myself back in Colorado, this time to test out my new home on wheels and to hopefully find some cooler temperatures up in the mountains. That new home on wheels was definitely put to the test on day one. I found a Hipcamp near Conifer that boasted, "Serenity and Solitude with private campsites, mountain views and incredible stargazing." When the owner of the property asked me about my vehicles clearance I probably should have paid attention to that voice in the back of my head that thought, "wonder why he would ask that?" Also, maybe next time I'll read the not so fine print.

Now both my vehicle and new trailer have plenty of ground clearance for some medium off-roading. It's one of the many reasons I got them and I had absolutely planned on taking them both off road while on this Colorado adventure. I had planned to ease my mom, who was on this maiden voyage with me, into boondocking. You know, stay at a few campgrounds first, let her pee in the woods a few times before I take her totally off-grid. Needless to say, there was no gradual introduction. From the moment we made the hairpin turn up a steep dirt road to the mountain campsite I knew the adventure had truly began.

To my surprise, mom didn't really seem phased by the unexpected road situation. Over all the bumpy, twisty, mountain roads, I prayed we wood not have to reverse down if we came across another vehicle, she seemed to really enjoy the fun of having one tire up off the ground and the white knuckle experience of my first time towing a camper over them. The property we stayed at was a 3600-acre horse ranch that really made you feel like you were in the middle of nowhere. There were only 12 sites spread out across the property and you really couldn't hear or see the other campers; we actually had the place to ourselves the second night. Jeff, the owner, was an amazing guy and let us fill up our 5 gallon water tank from his well. It was the freshest mountain spring water I'd had in a long time! I spent the next day exploring the properties roads and trails, making note of other campsites that I would like to stay at (10 was my favorite) and relaxed at night admiring the billions of stars that somehow seemed closer than ever. Mom is yet to pee in the woods but we got her a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot and a $15 toilet seat from REI and she's a happy camper when nature calls at 2am.

The next morning, fueled by a hearty camp breakfast and a spirit of adventure, I got the trailer back on the hitch and said a quick prayer to the off-roading gods we'd make it down the mountain without incident and to our next destination, Leadville, Colorado! The rugged terrain challenged me, but each turn brought me closer to the captivating beauty of Colorado's wilderness and the knowledge that this new path I was taking in life, although bumpy (I was about to discover just how bumpy with a very large dent in the side of my car just a few days later) was one worth pursuing.

Trying something new, not just new, but attempting to take your life in a whole new direction is terrifying. Everything you have is invested in this glimmer (sometimes very tiny glimmer) of a bigger life purpose than you've ever allowed yourself to believe in before. You have no evidence that it will workout, or that the rest of the world will see and understand what it is your trying to do. You spend a lot of your days in a panic wondering what the hell you were thinking and time never seems to be on your side. But the idea of going back, of not even trying, is even more terrifying. At 41, what I know for sure,is that life doesn't wait for you to get on board. It doesn't wait until you feel 100% ready and comfortable to try something new. Your only option is to jump in, learn to sway with the bumps (and dents in the car you love so very much 😢 ) and believe, that in the end, you will figure it out, the path will be revealed and your life will have been fully lived.

As always, I hope to see you out there in the wild someday enjoying All The Outdoor Things you love most! - Katie

*Camping and hiking in Colorado offer an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature's beauty, to challenge oneself physically and mentally, and to forge lasting connections with fellow adventurers. If you seek an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, look no further than the majestic landscapes of Colorado.