This week we’re talking about our dream vacations. And you know where I’m going right?
I’d start off with a drive to a small town somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. That leaves a lot of choices. Walden, Estes Park, Nederland—I don’t have to be picky in my dreams.
There, I’d meet up with an experienced guide. I’d probably spend one night in a lodge, meeting fellow adventurers, getting acclimated to the altitude and having a beer or two. I’d go to bed early (if I was smart) because we’d be leaving early in the morning.
Breakfast the next day would be quick and easy. Cold cereal and fruit maybe, because there’s a long ride ahead. First, a short drive to the alpine pasture where the horses wait for us—I get an older, gentle horse who’s experienced enough to help a novice rider—and then we take off. There’s no rush, and the horses meander along a well-worn path without urging. Most of them know the way as well as our guides.
We make frequent stops, admiring the scenery and getting off the horses long enough to stretch our legs. Lunch is sandwiches and (no chips- we don’t need the salt) and more fruit, eaten beside a mountain stream. Oh, and we drink lots of water and re-apply our suntan lotion. Wrens and jays chatter happily as they flit from aspen branch to aspen branch. A few people take off their shoes and socks to go wading, but I refrain. I already know how cold a creek fed by snow melt is, and I grin at their cries of surprise.
Although the spot would be perfect (in my mind) for a place to camp, it wouldn’t accommodate the whole group, so we mount up and take off again. Our destination is still a couple of hours ahead. I’m already feeling a story coming on, but I can’t put words on paper just yet.
Although the clouds overhead seem to threaten us with a shower, the guides appear unperturbed. The trail we followed was steeper now, but the horses didn’t seem to mind. Around each bend there is new and marvelous scenery, and we are accompanied by a string of “oohs” and “ahs” as well as the clicks of cameras. I’m starting to feel the ache in my legs and mu back, but I know there isn’t too much farther to go.
Then we reach it. The high mountain lake that will be our home for the next few days. I breathe in the fresh air for several minutes before I set up my tent and roll out my sleeping bag, but there is still plenty of time before dark. Some of the other guests already have their fishing poles out, but I have other fish to fry.
But first there is supper, a simple meal of home-made chili and and fresh veggies to munch on. We sit on stools made out of old logs and talk about the the day as we sip on out drink of choice. For me, more beer. There will be the obligatory campfire once it gets dark, along with a few brave souls singing to the rising of the moon.
Some of the more enthusiastic fisherman will rise with the sun but chances are I’ll sleep in. After breakfast, I’ll finally have a chance to grab a notepad and pen and wander off to find a tree to sit under. Hopefully, the words will pour out. I’ll stop long enough for lunch then go for a long walk in the afternoon. Take pictures of mountain wildflowers and mull over where the story is going. Head back to camp eventually, and do some more writing before supper.
Several days later, when it’s time to leave, I’ll have a solid start on a new story. Or two or three of them. When we roll up our sleeping bags and take down the tents, I’ll be sad and happy at the same time. The return to civilization and the chance to take a shower will be welcome, as well as seeing my loved ones again.
And that’s it. My dream vacation. What’s yours?
I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else dreams about. Let’s follow the links below.
July 3, 2017 – What Is The Next Vacation You’d Love To Take?
Dream away. Share the fun. Or if your blog or business is made up of a team, you could always share where each of the team wants to go on vacation next. This is another one of those blog ideas that really help an audience get to know you better.
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Wordpress:
Custom Blog:
An InLinkz Link-up
I bet you've already been on many of these trips!
I haven't done the horseback part yet. I've been to a lot of remote places, but they've all been accessible by Jeep.
Awesome idea! I'd fill up my memory cards with photos for sure.
I've got so many "mountain" pictures that it's hard to keep track of where I took them. 🙂
This sounds like a fabulous vacation.
That sounds lovely. Although my mother the cowgirl insisted I learn to ride, I'm not a huge horse fan, but to go up into the high mountains on one would be fun, especially since it would avoid all the noise pollution of driving. Hiking into the heights gets harder with every decade.