My mountain escape to Estes Park, CO.

Hi travelers, welcome back to my blog. I hope everyone is having a positive week! So this last weekend I went to Colorado for my second time. The first time I went to Colorado I stayed in Aurora, not knowing that it was a two hour drive to the mountains. This vacation I decided to stay in Estes Park. This was such a great decision for me because I could spend more time in the mountains as opposed to driving back and forth. Estes Park is located 4 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, where I wanted to spend most of my vacation. Quick background: I stayed in Misty Mountain Lodge but this place will be written about in more detail later in the blog. I purchased my plane tickets about 5 months before I went to Colorado, so the tickets were about 127 each, maybe less. The best website to go to is skyscanner.com, I've only told my family about this site but here you go! The airline I flew in on was Spirit. The hotel was also cheaper because I booked it 3 months before hand as well. Staying in the mountains is such a smart idea if you are planning your trip around them. Please take that advice, the drive can be tiring after a long day of hiking. Enjoy everyone!

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Misty Mountain Lodge: Misty Mountain Lodge was one of the most unique places I've ever stayed. Like I said earlier, the first time I went to Colorado I stayed in Aurora, which was nice but wow, I cannot believe that I was as positive as I was driving back and forth. The Misty Mountain Lodge was 4 miles from the Rockies which is AMAZING. What was cool about staying so close to the Rockies this time was the fact that I could go there at night. This did not cross my mind last time. Whenever we were done hiking or sightseeing the first time, we went we just drove the two hours back to our hotel (Lexington Suites) but this time we decided to drive over to the Rockies at night and watch the sunset. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. The room was about 80 dollars a night, which wasn't that bad considering it was in the mountains and you could leave your car and walk around downtown Estes. The whole vibe of the hotel is awesome, you can borrow movies, board games and the hot tub is situated with a beautiful view of the mountains. One more special quality that the lodge had was the reindeer and elk that showed up to eat the grass on the lawn. The lodge is up against a mountain so I'm assuming that is why the elk show up to eat. It was such an amazing experience, it really made the atmosphere that much better.

Downtown Estes Park: Downtown Estes Park has so much more to offer than I ever expected. I parked at my lodge and just walked the rest of the time. The streets are filled with little shops, souvenir stores, and plenty to eat. You are completely surrounded by the mountains, yet its a nice break to get a bite to eat and do some shopping. Trying to get some wifi in Estes Park or anywhere in the mountains is almost impossible so checking trip-advisor for some places to eat wasn't an option. I stayed in Estes two nights so here are the places I went:

Antonio's Pizza: On the first night we really wanted some authentic NY pizza so we gave Antonio's a try and it was delicious! The actual restaurant is super small and hot on the inside but what was really cool was that there were nice wooden tables outside of the restaurant near a rushing creek. I have never eaten pizza with a view like this. The restaurant is off the main drag of shops and near a little farm with mountains all around. I haven't tasted a sauce like this before though, to me it tasted very peppery, if that makes sense. Not black pepper but yellow and red peppers. For a large pizza and garlic rolls it came out to 21 dollars. Give it a try if you are in the mood for some pizza in the mountains.

The Grub Steak: I was really craving a burger this day and since I am really picky about my food I asked a few locals on the streets for some recommendations, everyone said to give The Grub Steak a try and so we did! This place was perfection. I got a regular cheese burger which was around 10 dollars with fries and everything. Everyone was saying this was a higher priced place but I don't think 10 dollars is that bad for dinner. You also have the option to try Elk, Buffalo and Yak. What I really enjoyed about this place was the environment. You felt like you were really in old Colorado inside. The whole place is decked out in wild west style, but the real wild west. There are native American pictures all over the walls and some of the pictures actually teach you things about the history of Colorado. What really set the mood for me was Hotel California by the Eagles, playing while I ate. I definitely advise this place for a nice meal. I also overheard the older couple next to me that they had the "steak of their dreams." here.

Laura's Fine Candies: Every city I travel to I always try their caramel apples. I got my caramel and candy apple this time from Laura's. It was a pretty good caramel apple but there are so many places for dessert that I would never be able to tell if it was the right choice. The fudge there was great though and super cheap! I paid 6 dollars for my caramel apple.

Estes Park Mountain Shop: This mountain shop is the place to go for a good deal on outdoor activities. I was torn between going horseback riding or biking. I looked into horseback riding and there were a couple of deals on Groupon (52 dollars for two people for one hour) but they mostly just go around the mountains near their stables and I wanted to be able to go off wherever I wanted. I will definitely horseback ride next time I'm in Colorado though. With that being said we decided to bike ride. The bikes were 16 dollars for two hours, which is really amazing. You could do 30 dollars for four hours, I believe, but I just did the two hours. You can leave right there with the bikes but we wanted to go to Rocky Mountain National Park so we also rented a bike rack that they attached to the back of our rental car. The bike rack was 10 dollars. The people at the shop are super cool and lenient. We went over our time a little because getting the bike back on the rack was pretty difficult but they didn't even care or notice that we were gone longer. Now, biking in the Rockies: that was the most stunning thing I have ever done in my life. I'm going to have a Youtube video (toristrails) up on the Rockies and biking there so you can check that out to see what I mean. Just remember, whatever mountains you glide down at 30 miles per hour, you have to drag yourself back up.

The Stanley Hotel: "Five months of peace is just what I want." If you are a big horror movie fan you're going to be pretty excited to hear that The Stanley Hotel from The Shining is in Estes Park. It was only 5 minutes from my hotel so we decided to go on our last day there. You can rent a room at the hotel through hotels.com. The rooms are pretty expensive to stay in though, I think I saw them for around 233 dollars a night. Even if you don't stay in the hotel you have to stop by and check this place out. I sat at the bar where the famous Llyod scene happens when Jack Nicholson finally goes insane. You're not allowed to go upstairs if you are not a guest, but I snuck up there and it was so worth it. The floors creaking, creepy mirrors and all. If you can afford to stay there I would take the opportunity and film and enjoy the ambiance. Check this one off your bucket list guys, it's free!

Rocky Mountain National Park: This is my favorite place that I have ever been. When you go to Colorado you have the option to go to a few different areas and explore those mountains. If you are a first timer I recommend checking out RMNP (rocky mountain national park). You are most likely going to land in Denver Airport and the mountains are all about 2 hours away from there. Some of my other choices were to go to Mount Evans, Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak. But RMNP has so much to offer and it's a great place to really see Colorado for what it is. I went to the Rockies both times I've been to Colorado and it's breathtaking. Both times I've been I've felt like I had the whole park to myself. There are elk everywhere, rabits, deer, and bears. I have yet to see a bear though, thankfully.They have beautiful lakes, water falls and trails that you can hike as well. It's 30 dollars to get in for the whole week and 20 for the day. If you're staying for longer than a day, definitely spend the extra 10. Some places in the park you have to check out are:

• Alberta Falls: beautiful waterfall and the hike is about 30 minutes there and back. I loved it. I was hesitate at first but it was incredible and so worth it. It's great for first time hikers. Plus, it was the first real waterfall I've ever seen.

• Bear Lake: You're most likely going to run into bear lake but in case you don't you MUST go here. This lake is gorgeous. Both times I've been in Colorado it was in late May and the lake is frozen over and you feel like you're in a James Bond movie.

• Trail Ridge Road: This is such a memorable road. It takes you up 14,000 feet and it's absolutely beautiful. Especially if you have never explored the mountains before. You can park near the top and the only noise you hear is the wind blowing. The views of the white capped mountains is breath-taking.

• Bierstad Lake: The first time I went to RMNP I decided to hike the mountain to see this lake. I didn't realize how long of a hike this was, but it was one of my most memorable times in the Rockies. You are climbing up an actual mountain and you don't realize how high you are until the trees can't reach anymore and you look to the side of you and you're above the clouds. Honestly, sometimes the only thing on my mind were bears. I was so scared to run into a bear, especially because every large brown rock looked like a bear. I didn't see any bears but I did cross paths with some beautiful deer and I watched them jump right in front of me. My boyfriend ran up the mountain without me to see the lake because I was just too scared at the point but I sat alone in my same spot and I watched the clouds come in from all over the Rockies. Being all alone, this was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. You are at complete peace. Give this hike a try. Bring a walking stick.

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Rocky Mountains at Night: The first time I went to RMNP in May 2015, I stayed in Aurora like I said before. Everyday after a long day of hiking and sight seeing, I'd be ready to head back to our hotel around 6pm. Especially because when you leave Estes Park you have to drive down steep winding roads without railings on the side of the mountains, which we could barely concentrate on during the day. So at night I'm assuming it would be pretty scary. But since we stayed in the mountains this time, we decided to take a drive to back to Rocky Mountain NP to watch the sunset. This was the best decision I have ever made. You just drive right into the park, no lines, no paying. You go anywhere you want to and pull over and just watch the sunset over the icy mountains. I stopped off, put some Eddie Veder on my phone and cherished all of mother nature's still beauty.

As we were driving out of the park, I see something running in the distance, I tell Avner, "Look at those really little dear running!" I look closer and they aren't deer, they're wolves. About 4 wolves running in a pack together along side of the mountain. I dangerously swing to the side of the road and turn around. I am not missing my chance at seeing a wolf. We shine our brights on them and see them run up the mountain barely. I was so sad that I didn't get to see them longer. I'm pulled over astonished, and I look across from me and I see a wolf headed right toward our car headed for his family. I get him running across the street and up the mountain. I immediately howl with excitement. The most amazing wildlife moment of my life. Thank you Universe for showing me that.

****** There is probably so much more to write about Estes Park and the Rockies but you just have to go there for yourself. The tickets are usually inexpensive and it's the most amazing adventure of your life. You have to really go out and there and get lost in the wild. I'm so grateful to be able to experience the mountains like that, especially because I'm a Florida girl. The Rockies are the rarest mountains in the world and there are none like it. I hope you guys liked my blog and I hope I gave you some helpful tips on where to eat, shop, and sight see. Enjoy your week everyone. Love you guys! And PLEASE SUBSCRIBE. It does nothing really aside from make me happy and know that you guys actually care!

SEE YOU SOON EXPLORERS. Oh, and comment below & follow my instagram: @toristrails