One of the best parts of moving to Colorado so far has been the amazing friends I have made! These friends have been a great source of motivation, information and comfort for me. Because of them I seen such beautiful parts of the state that I may never have adventured too if not for their advice!
Julie was patient and nice enough to take me on one of my first hikes here, one I later used to help me get in some sort of better shape to try hard harder hikes, Deer Creek Canyon ( hike details here). When I think back to that hike with her, I grimace at what she had to put up with from me and with such good grace! She has been so encouraging in my pursuit of hiking to healthy and everything I pursue for that matter, not to mention just a great friend to bounce hike ideas off of!
Karin knows so much about Colorado in general it is staggering, she gave me my second go to hike in the beginning of this journey at White Ranch Park( hike details here) with the Rawhide trail. At the time I first started doing it, I thought she considers this easy… note to self never hike with Karin! But as I have learned to discover, people who live here a long time know what is really hard and what is easy. She was right, it is now an easy hike for me but 53+ pounds ago, not so much. She is also my biggest cheerleader every day as I try to live a healthier more active life, she is always bragging on my weight loss to anyone who mentions I look great while she is around. She helps me stay on track when ever I need a little lift to keep on going. Everyone needs a Karin in their life….but you can’t have mine!
On this particular hike we were missing our third partner in crime, Carrie, who will be joining us for future hikes but she has been equally important to me and our move here. She took me out all over the place to do all sorts of different fun Colorado things, introduced me to so many wonderful people and all while laughing and having a great time! I often remind her that she is the reason I stayed in Colorado and I am thankful every day she helped me through those hard transition times, among other things!!
They have all been extra supportive of my hiking and have actually started asking for my advice on which ones to try. I was so excited that I begged them to come hike with me so this past Sunday I got to show them a trail they have never tried before.
I took Julie & Karin to Gem Lake (hike details here). I love this hike because it is the perfect hike to plant the seed of “doing more hikes” with. It isn’t too long, has amazing views, and it does have a decent climb so it is hard work but the payoff is so worth it! The day was perfect in terms of weather, close to 70 degrees, sunny and dry which made the sky the best color blue while the clouds were the whitest white!
The only down side to the day is that the trail was very crowded, which made pictures a little more challenging and finding a nice spot to grab a snack at the top was harder to come by.
I need to rename this hike as the persuasion hike, because I think it helps in convincing people that Colorado and hiking are awesome! In fact during our hike on Sunday, it was easy to suggest that we try to get together and do a girl’s hike once a month! It was a great day with wonderful Ladies! Now once a month I will share with you our friends hike! I hope you like the extra hikes! Now for some favorite pictures.
hiking to healthy 
I’ve been to Estes Park twice and what a beauty! How fortunate to have found a friend like Julie. I’m sure she feels the same about you.
I know, I love Estes park more every time I hike around there. And I am super lucky to have a friend like Julie! Good friends make everything better!
I have to say it was a great day, all around. I’m such a mission hiker and so appreciated Julie pointing out things that I would have never noticed. And, poor Kathy had to pick up the pace because I was right on her heels. The chipmunk was definitely a highlight, and he and his buddies were so entertaining. Kathy has inspired me to be a healthier person, well, a better person, period. I’m so looking forward to our monthly hikes!!!
It was a great day all around! Our future hikes together will be wonderful!
Nice! You’re a lucky girl to have not only your husband who hikes with you, but good friends too. I look forward to your future posts with friends.
Aren’t I though!?!
My wife and I love the Gem Lake hike! We recently moved to Colorado and hike every chance we get now. You’re right, it is a very nice hike to get people excited about the Colorado summer!
If there are people you are trying to convince to move out here, I think this is the trail to take them on! So glad you agreed! Thanks for checking out my blog!