I am so lucky! I get to live where other people come to vacation. Just like Unknown Mami, who sponsors the link below, I love sharing my photos of my city and my state. And if you want to see photos by her readers around the world, just click below!
All the ski resorts are just an hour from Denver. This weekend good friends of ours invited us up to a house they are renting in Winter Park. Isn’t always nice to get away from busyness of home to relax in a beautiful spot in nature. We tried to go slowly and be mindful all throughout the weekend.
The day started with a beautiful sunrise at about 6:30 am! So glad we woke up early.
The house is just a few miles outside the ski town of Winter Park. The sunrise reflected in the windows.
We could see Byers Peak (12,804 ft.) outside the backyard. The Colorado sky is always this deep, beautiful blue.
We decided to snowshoe while our kids went downhill skiing. Here is the trailhead. It was a narrow trail through the pine trees.
I borrowed some bright yellow snowshoes. It was my first time trying snowshoeing and I loved it.
The Zen Mama and the Zen Papa in the snow covered pines. John is cross country skiing.
Loved this light at the end of the trail. Our friend’s dog, Buddy, enjoyed the trip the most.
The detail of the pine bark. Pine beetles have been an epidemic in Colorado, killing off many lodgepole pines in the northern mountains. I recently read that the epidemic is subsiding. Read more here if you’re interested.
A light snow started by the time we returned to the house. The flash was able to catch the flakes.
A good warm fire at the end of the evening. What more could you ask for?
Like what you’ve read and want the ZEN MAMA’S BLOG delivered to your email address? I promise I won’t share your email!!
So so so gorgeous! All the photos are so beautiful. Yet, I am trying to pick favorites. I love the detail of the pine bark and Byers Peak. Oh wait, and Zen Mama. And the yellow shoes. And the sunrise. And the house. And everything.
Thank you, Betsy for the wonderful trip!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
So glad you enjoyed Vidya! Thanks for loving all the pictures!! I thought of you in India as I put them together.
[Reply]
Wonderful photos! The sunset is stunning. I like the shot of your house and how you captured the falling snow.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thanks Tara! It’s actually sunrise, and that’s my favorite, too. I have about 20 of the sunrise and the changes that happened each second it seemed. The flash is my little secret with snowflakes.
[Reply]
WOW..that first photo is breathtaking!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thanks Sonya!! So glad you come by!
[Reply]
I really loved the colors in your first shot. That must have been a tremendous experience at that moment.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Thanks Wayne! It was an incredible experience and the changes that kept coming over about 10 minutes were amazing!
[Reply]
What beautiful pictures – looks like a wonderful weekend – love the sunset pics!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Thanks Heather! It was actually sunrise… one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!
[Reply]
Lately I’ve been wondering about trying snowshoeing. We have cross country skis, and while I do enjoy them, I also have trouble keeping my balance on those skinny toothpicks.
Wow – - – that wasn’t just going to “the cabin” for the weekend! That is a mansion of a house all warm and cozy in the snow!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Snowshoeing is pretty easy compared to cross country skiing. And yes, we were surprised and amazed at the house!! The views were spectacular.
[Reply]
Looks like a really perfect weekend. I am not a fan of the cold and winter but then we don’t see such stunningly beautiful winters here as you seem to do in your part of the world. Thank you for sharing.
Mollyxxx
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I grew up in Chicago and winter is definitely better here. They are warmer and more beautiful!
[Reply]
What a fun walk through your woods:) The ski resort would make my son drool!!
I would love to try snow shoeing. I did as a child and loved it, but it was with my dads OLD pair and that was long ago!!
Absolutely beautiful pictures! We have a huge pine beetle epidemic here as well…has been very sad to see so many trees die, but I remind myself that is nature’s way of cleansing.
Have a beautiful Sunday, friend!
Jen
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Thanks Jen! Winter Park is a beautiful place to ski and owned by the city of Denver. I agree about the reminder that it is nature’s way of cleansing. I’m so pleased that it’s finally tapering off. Snowshoeing isn’t too hard and easy on the knees compared to downhill.
[Reply]
Hi Betsy,
Great pics! I love Colorado as well and have spent a lot of time there. You are lucky to live in such a beautiful state.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Thanks Cathy! Where do you usually come when you’re here? And yes, I’m so lucky!!
[Reply]
Love the photos. Just got a new camera for my birthday and am so enjoying taking photos of my new home, Hawaii…. where people also come to vacation and I am fortunate enough to live here.
Your post inspired me to write around some of my new photos.
Enjoy your fabulous winter!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
You, too, are living where others come to vacation, including me! How long have you lived in Hawaii? Be sure to link up to unknown mami. It’s fun to “travel” the world and see all these places.
[Reply]
I felt like I was there, from the start to finish. I haven’t been in Colorado in over 20 years. This post brought back many, wonderful memories.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Thanks Laurie! I thought it would be fun to start at sunrise and end with the fire!! Glad you liked that!
[Reply]
Can you believe I’ve never been to the snow? I need to go. Now that I have kids I’m really going to make an effort to experience some snow. I love the first shot, it is amazingly beautiful and awe-inspiring.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Really! Never been to snow!! Your kids will love it. The first picture is my favorite, too!
[Reply]
Ok, I don’t know how to ski, but he snowshoeing thing looks good. That and the fire. I don’t know about this 6:30 wake up, though, LOL.
Beautiful Pictures, Betsy! Thanks for sharing this. I know that I’ll have to visit Colorado at some point. Its been calling to me in the weirdest way for years…
Huge hugs,
Melody
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Snowshoeing isn’t too bad!! I really liked it! Colorado is just as beautiful in the summer as winter, maybe more with all the wildflowers!
[Reply]
Beautiful Betsy … loved those pictures. I can see exactly why you call that home. Thanks for sharing those. Looks like somewhere I would love to come and see:)
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Thanks Sibyl! Everywhere around Colorado is wonderful! Glad you enjoyed!
[Reply]
Wow! You are surrounded by SUCH beauty! And you captured it SO well in photos!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
So happy to see your name Michelle! You’re my photo mentor so your praise means a lot!!
[Reply]
Beautiful photos, I really like all those delicious landscapes with snow, and especially of pine bark is like a beautiful abstract. Good night.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Thanks Leovi! I love to take close ups like that of bark. Trees really are amazing. Maybe that will be another post someday! Thanks for the idea.
[Reply]
What beautiful pictures! Like looking out my own window (since we both live in Colorado). Most mornings, when I go out to get wood for the wood stove, the stunning sunrises stop me in my tracks. One morning, as my 2 year old daughter and I were walking into the kitchen, she stopped, got all big-eyed and pointed out the window and squealed. The clouds and sky were the brightest red-pink I’ve ever seen. We both stopped and stared for a while.
And, of course, there are the “sky blue” skies that I’ve only seen in Colorado. I’ve lived here for about 15 years and the sights, sounds and smells of the mountains constantly put me in a state of wonder.
Thanks for sharing all the beauty around here!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Thanks Paige! I just found that out… you live just down the street!! Are you a native?? That’s an amazing moment with your daughter. There’s nothing better than a sunrise/sunset shared! Cheers to my fellow Coloradan!
[Reply]
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! And I JUST heard about those pine nut beetles today on the news! How wild that you mentioned that! It is a shame though. I hear it’s the weather not getting cold enough (but you probably put that in your link that I didn’t click on, lol)
Great pics! YOu and Zen Papa are so cute.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Sheila! Amazing that you were just hearing about the pine beetles. Isn’t “coincidance” amazing
[Reply]
The first photograph is just GORGEOUS! I love the color and the angle of the shot. I LOVE Colorado. My grandma lived in Pueblo, CO and we visited every year. Such great memories. You are so lucky to live there. The pics are GREAT!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Thanks Angelia! The first photo is my favorite, too. Pueblo is just a few hours down the road. Glad you have so many beautiful memories!
[Reply]
Snowshoeing – that’s what I want to try too!
Your morning shot is like mine almost at the same time – red, yellow…beautiful.
Have a good week!
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
We both chose snow for this Sunday’s in my City! I love it!! Hope you have a great week, too!
[Reply]
Pingback: Developing Intuition, Identifying Intuition - Questions Answered | Powered by Intuition
Betsy,
I so want to visit Colorado! It’s beautiful there. Thank you for this lovely guided tour.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
My pleasure! Everyone who visits from the east or midwest loves it here!
[Reply]
Betsy – thanks for bringing us along on your weekend vacation. The photos are gorgeous. I’m ready to snuggle up with some cocoa after looking them over
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Thanks Maggie! The hot chocolate would have been perfect… I think we had wine instead!!
[Reply]
Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing, Zen Mama. I lived in Colorado Springs for 10 years and enjoyed traveling to most parts of Colorado during that time. After that, I lived in Ohio for nine years. The snow in Ohio just doesn’t have the beauty, romance and allure that it has in Colorado. May be because it’s on flat terrain and just blows everywhere. Ugh..
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
It’s true about mid-west winters. I grew up in Chicago and it’s so much warmer and dryer here in Denver. Plus the sun seems to shine just about every day!
Thanks for coming by Terri!
[Reply]
We *never* get snow. Never. I’m so jealous. It looks beautiful, and the roaring fire at the end is a perfect ending.
What a great weekend gettaway.
xoxo, Jenny
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 pm
It really is beautiful here!! I’ve really come to love winter over the years. It all started one winter when my kids were about your kids ages (maybe my middle one was a little younger). I had such cabin fever that I was depressed. Finally I put them in snowsuits and went outside. I thought to myself… what was I thinking staying inside all the time?? We never looked back and we’re all winter/snow people now. But… it’s easy to love winter here when it’s interspersed with 50-60 degrees days!
[Reply]
Love this post. Great photos! I’ve always wanted to get snow shoes. Was just discussing this with the hubby today. Unfortunately not enough snow in MN this year (yet…)
~Melissa
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
We’ve just started getting snow here! We got 2 feet this week! Thanks for coming by Zen Mama! Love your site and facebook page.
[Reply]
Beautiful photos! Someday I need to get to CO. I have an uncle there that has been asking me to come since…well…since he moved there.
[Reply]
Betsy Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 6:01 am
Thank you Julie! If you ever come, you have place here, too!
[Reply]
Hi Betsy,
My name is Jane and I’m with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about the Town of Winter Park to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you
Jane
[Reply]