A Trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado with Kids
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I have been a bit ambiguous about my actual age on the blog because I have been living in denial about how fast I was approaching forty. I don’t know how it happened, but now it’s officially here. It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating my 21st birthday. It’s amazing to me how slow the first 21 years go. . .and then you blink. It seems shocking to me that I’m now this age but I’m taking comfort in knowing that I’m in a better place than I was in my twenties. I am a better mother, in a secure relationship, we own a house, and now live in a fun new state. Things are pretty good, if I do say so myself.
I’m trying not think, “Ugh. I’m old” and stop counting the grey hairs and crow’s-feet. Hair dye is a fabulous investment and between you and me, I don’t look nearly as old as some of my old high school classmates do. I don’t feel as old either. When I was twenty I couldn’t even begin to imagine being forty. It seemed so far off and so old! But you know what? I still have fun, go to concerts, listen to the same music I did then, and don’t feel as old as I thought forty was then.
For my birthday, aside from Red Sox vs. Rockies tickets for September (I’m a big Red Sox fan), my husband booked the family a three-day trip to Glenwood Springs, CO. We had a great time enjoying the scenery of the Colorado River, the mountains, exploring some caves, and riding some rides at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. No fuddy-duddy fortieth birthday for me.
My husband and thirteen year old went fishing on The Colorado and then we went for a walk along the trail. We saw a bunch of birds from tiny humming birds to huge falcons.
On my birthday we went up the mountain in a gondola tram to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
The view from the tram was nothing short of breathtaking
Once we got to the park at the top of the mountain we rode the alpine slides, rollercoaster, and almost rode the zip line.
But the coolest part of the park was the cave. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.
Have you ever heard of cave bacon?
The King’s Room reminded me of a bunch of chess pieces.
So far the first six days of my fortieth year haven’t been so bad. I’m not so sure that I will say the same thing at fifty. Ha!
Happy birthday! What an amazing looking time! I really love the cave pictures.
Happy Birthday!! Stunning pictures!! And don’t worry 40’s aren’t so bad!! I’m halfway thru my 50’s now and they aren’t bad either!!
What an experience!! That zip-lining looks so cool, though I’d probably be terrified, hehe.
Happy Belated Birthday! I turned 35 this year and everyone asked if it was going to be a big deal for me, but I’ve never been one to put too much thought into the number on my cake…it’s all how you feel. And what an amazing trip! The pictures are gorgeous!
Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a great trip! I totally get how you feel. Years ago, I would never have thought I would do this but I have been mentally checking off a before 40 bucket list. Hope my husband has picked up on it because I will probably be trying to do a lot of the things I have always wanted to in the next couple of years! It does go fast. But, you are right–you will still be having fun!
A bucket list is a great idea! The only big thing I wanted to accomplish was to own a house by 40 and I made my goal with 3 months to spare 🙂
Happy Birthday! age is so what you make it. I have known younger adults that act way to old and I have known older folks who act refreshingly young. You become what you think you are, do not determine yourself by your age or anything, just be happy happy in the moment you are in now and continue to rock on 🙂
It’s true, I know people my age who act like someone’s grandparents and people my grandparents’ age that act 25. My 92 year old great aunt still goes dancing regularly and my 87 year old grandmother still travels often. Who am I to complain about 40? 😉
Happy birthday Regan! It sounds like you had fun. What breathtaking pictures.
Thank you, Shannon. Colorado is a pretty state 🙂
First off .. Happy 40th to you Regan! The trip you went on looks amazing .. Colorado has to be the prettiest state out there;) I lived in Colorado Springs for 5 months back in 1986 .. what a beautiful experience–the scenery was awesome .. I haven’t been to a cave tour since I was 12 or so & that was in Fayetteville, Arkansas .. may you have many more days of youthful fun ..
Thank you, Melissa. We’re about an hour north of Colorado Springs and we have been down there twice so far. I love it! I told my husband that if his job doesn’t work out, we should move down there. That was before we bought the house, but thankfully I also like the Denver area.
Thanks for the refreshing look at 40. I turned 30 last year and it didn’t really phase me. I am married, have a career, 4 amazing kids and a terrific group of family and friends. I think I am okay to be 30. I hope I am as positive as you at 40.
Honestly, I think I had a harder time with 30. I was a single mom and totally stressed out. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m still the same person I was last week when I was still in my thirties 😉