Estes Park

 
 
Several months ago, before the thought of moving had even blipped on our radar, I wrote a post about searching for a simpler life. The Search for Simplicity was an outward expression of all I'd been feeling. Dreaming of, really. Dreaming of a life that nourished me--body, mind and soul. I didn't have it because I didn't create it for myself and moving to another state isn't an automatic guarantee that it will be achieved. It won't. We could easily, easily slip right back into a similar, crazy schedule. We could hide out inside in spite of this gorgeous weather, put the kids off, eat out too much, stay busy, busy, busy.

But we are guarding against that with ever fiber of our being. (beings?) With all the fibers of our respective beings.

Nothing makes you drop everything panicky like having company. They don't want to sit there and watch you write articles or plot your next book. And in the case of my dad, he'll tell ya he doesn't want to sit around.

My parents came out a few weeks ago. We'd only been here about a week and had no idea where anything cool was, but we knew Estes Park was definitely a spot we wanted to visit. And visit. And visit. We knew it simply by the way everyone talked about it.

Tuesday Sam started his throwing up but Wednesday he was fine. So, up we went. Up and up and up. It's high. I think over 10,000 feet? I admit I got a little nauseous. Sophia had headaches every day for the first two weeks. So did I. The Estes Park climb didn't help.

 

We pulled over and shot all kinds of mountains on the way up, me with my trusty 20D and my dad with his spiffy new 50D. Yes. I am jealous. More so of his lens than his camera. I am now on a hunt for the 25-125 and I guarantee I will find a way to buy it!

I should take this opportunity to explain that my parents were married in like 1902. They were high school sweethearts, but they are not goofy, really. Or silly. We're a rather serious bunch. My humor is dry and sarcastic and my parents aren't what I'd call jovial. They're more straight-laced. Like me.

So when I turned the camera on them and got this...

 
All I could think was that I wished my brother and sister were there so we could exchange confused "What is going on?" looks. Call it a Rocky Mountain High. They were in rare, goofy form.

 
After posing for a few minutes like Superman and his faithful sidekick, they sat down. But their mood didn't dissipate. At all.

Instead, my dad took this opportunity to revert back to his teenage fantasies and cop a feel.

Yep.

 
The result was priceless:

 
(My mom is gonna KILL me for posting this. And she's working today so I know she'll see it. Mom, I'm sorry. I am super busy today and can't answer my phone. Don't even bother calling. I'm, uh...washing my hair. Or..."Something Suddenly Came Up." That's it. Yeah.)

My mom was SO embarrassed and I could NOT stop laughing. She said "You just did that in front of your granddaughter."

Sophia, completely oblivious, now knew she'd missed something and wanted in on the joke.

 
I laughed for about ten minutes straight because this was such a crazy, weird, hilarious thing and so NOT like either of my parents.

We tried to take some legit pictures, but after that it was pretty hard to recover. My dad still looks like he's up to something...

 

 
Lord only knows what he was plotting at this point. I think he just likes to embarrass my mom.

Anyway, after THAT, we took in the sites for awhile... and yes, it was as amazing as everyone says...

 
Sam thought so too.

 

 
Here's one of me and my exceedingly large arm. Oh, and my uber embarrassed mom.

 
The mountains seem to sprout out of the ground in the coolest ways.

 
We stopped off to hike around a little. In flip flops. We weren't exactly prepared. We went up in the evening so we knew we wouldn't have a ton of time...but walking around proved to be an awesome experience and made us decide one day soon we will defnitley go back.

Ethan watched out for The Hobbit.

 
Which of course made me happy.

 
 

 
 

Also, we were driving around and stumbled upon two of these guys:

 
  

Just hanging out on the side of the road. It was pretty cool. They were really pretty. Don't tell them I said that, they may prefer to be called "handsome" and I'd hate to insult elk with such big antlers.

I've been thinking a lot about our life and the kinds of things we wanted to change about it. I think we're making great strides, but we're constantly thinking about it. Until it becomes second nature, I think we have to. We have to be careful not to overprogram the kids, or to take on too much or to work on the weekends. I have been trying to make myself STOP working at 4 when the kids get home, but it takes a conscious effort on my part.

We're getting it. Little by little. A simpler life.

I'm sure it's out there...

...and I'm going to find it...

 
...we all are.

Comments

[jeanne]

The pictures of your parents are KILLING me...so funny!!!

[Lisa Baker]

Estes is one of my absolute favorite places on earth! It's magic. This makes me want to go back SOON!

[Rach-o]

Hahahaha....hahaha. Thats really funny.

You look smokin' hot in the family pic, by the way!!

[Lisa Baker]

Okay now that I went back and looked at everything....hahaha your parents crack me up! .....and I so DO think you are on your way to a simpler life. Just look at you guys!

[Courtney Walsh]

Rachel, smokin' hot? you must be smokin'! lol (Thanks though!)

I went back and looked through the pictures again and now I'm laughing all over again. I so wish I had the whole thing on video.

Oh, and my mom is gonna KILL me!

[Shelly]

I love the pics of your parents! (yes, I'll say my goodbye to you now because mine would definitely kill me ;)) It's so cute to see older marrieds that are still having fun...that IS something to model to the grandkids! (besides, they're married...there's no flag on that play!)

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

Okay your parents are soooo cute. They look like a lot of fun:) We went to Estes Park years ago and it has stuck with me as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Hope to get back there someday.

[Misty]

Yep, your folks cold cracked me up! I love those moments when I get to see my "parents" act like "people." Mom, please don't be mad!! :) :) :)

I so hope you keep making the most of your gorgeous new surroundings.

[GinnaG]

Remember when you were just "visiting" CO. You posted the question "what animal is that?" of an elk. See how much things have changed. You are truly becoming a CO person. And we can all see that you guys are living simpler life. Good for you!!!

[lissa]

that's it! I love your parents! they are fun! and I want to be just like that too!

[melanie]

you really have a way with the camera and the words.It makes me want to jump up and drive up to Estes right now but it's labor day and that's where alot of folks are. Anyway,you're living right. melanie from mead

[Heather]

That is so funny to see your dad like that! Who knew he had that in him? Great pictures! Sounds like you all are adjusting just fine and that even as you began yearning for simplicity, God was preparing your heart for all the changes He had in store for you and your family.

[MOMMY]

All you faithful blog readers: say good-bye to Courtney right now because i will be at her house next week and I promise you she will not survive!

[Karen Larson<3]

LOVE IT! You will NEVER regret your attempt to live a simple life. Look at all the memories your fam has made! I have an empty nest now and would really love a do over. Enjoy every moment, my sweet friend. <3 AND I Love your Mom putting in her two cents right before my message. Made me laugh out loud....and I am by myself. =)