Colorado

It hasn’t sunk in yet!

by Ingrid

Wednesday morning I wake up around 5:30 a.m.   I’m feeling rested and jump out of bed.  I start the coffee….gotta have my morning Joe, ya know.  Al slowly wakes around 6:00 and notices I’m sitting in bed next to him drinking coffee in bed.  This is day five after the move; the move out of the house and into the RV.  Every morning since the move, Al and I have slept in until around 7:00 a.m…… getting in almost nine hours of sleep.  Yes, the move was exhausting and our energy has been depleted.  So the early rise this morning was definitely not the norm.

Red RocksBy 6:30 a.m. I’ve fried Al and me a couple of eggs served on English muffins, finished two cups of coffee and a small OJ.  Al’s moving in slow motion and wondering what the heck crawled up my *ss …..his words, not mine.  I want to go hiking at Red Rocks this morning.  As many times as Al and I have driven past Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, we’ve never stopped and have never attended a concert held at the park.  Click here to visit the official website.  I want to get going before it gets crowded or too hot.  I’m excited and antsy.

Red RocksAl thinks I need to slow down and reminds me we’re on RV time.  I don’t think it has sunk in just yet that I don’t have a house to return to…..no weeds to pull, no home maintenance, utilities, or property taxes to worry about.  We have no place we NEED to return to anytime soon.  We have no schedule!

Wow….I think to myself, “how cool!”….on that note, I hop in my little red truck leaving Al in the dust.  Well, leaving him behind in the RV anyway.  With my trusty map in hand (I’m old school and still don’t use a GPS) I head down the road a mere ten minutes and explore Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.  It’s barely 7:30 a.m. and there’s already plenty of folks around using the amphitheater as their personal gym.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre; great place to get in a workout
the amphitheater used for working out
steps are great for the gluts
serious exercising on the ramp…these dudes had special mitts for their hands

I spend the next hour and a half exploring the area.  I take some short trails here and there, but mainly focus on the amphitheater area which consists of stairs.  OMG….talk about stairs.  My gluteus maximus is certainly feeling the effects of all those stairs.

More stairs!
Stairs everywhere!

Red RocksI take in the gorgeous environment and unique structure while observing the exercising athletes.  From the south parking lot is a ramp leading up to the stadium.  The ramp is steep and I get slightly winded half way up, which was fine by me since I wanted to stop anyway.  There’s a group of guys with special mitts on their hands running up and down the ramp on all fours….. no surprise they are dripping in sweat.  I’d say, this is some serious working out!

Red Rocks
In lieu of stairs, there’s a ramp

This mornings excursion was just the inspiration I needed to get Al and me back on track.  You see, Al and I have been known to be drawn to the dark side…..eating food junk we shouldn’t during times of high stress and I’d say a major move is stressful.  Thus, our diet lately has led to the belt feeling just a tad tighter than we’d like.Red Rocks

There’s a Farmer’s Market here in Golden held once a week and it’s already on our schedule as are a few hikes at Red Rocks to get the motor going.  On that note, I’ll leave you with a few more images of Red Rocks.  Just click on any photo in the galleries to view in a larger format.  Happy trails…….

Red Rocks visitor center and gift shop
A trail head in Red Rocks Park

52 thoughts on “It hasn’t sunk in yet!”

  2. Liberating for sure, isn’t it. Soon you will realize how much you are on RV time and if like me and Rhonda, start acting like those much older folks that schedule only one thing a day, I’m sure only because they can. Used to wonder about that, now I think I get it.
    BTW if you do get a GPS do not give it 100% confidence, it will get you sideways!

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    1. I’ve heard that from quite a few folks regarding a GPS. I’m old school and won’t ever totally trust a GPS and thus will back up with a physical map.
      Last week I was still scheduling too much. This week I’m slowing way down 🙂

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  3. It takes more than a few days or weeks to adjust to a big change in life. When i could no longer work, it took months before it really sank in that I would not be returning to work. And that’s when the fun started. Hoping the same for you. 🙂

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    1. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. This full-time RVing thing just kind of evolved and we seem to be embracing it. The fun has already begun 🙂

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  4. Love that you are meandering, one of my favorite descriptions of what we’ll do. Congrats, sounds like you are easing into the life. We saw Bonnie Raitt there years ago and we have our bronco orange “I got rained on at the Rocks” ponchos in the RV.

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      1. Its funny, i picked that because it was a free hand pattern that I used to do a lot on my long arm quilter. All my favorite quilts have the “meander” pattern. Funny how stuff works out. Dont think we’ll be under contract in 48 hrs but at least we are on the way. Enjoy your time, you’ve earned it.

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  5. Love Red Rocks! I saw Sting there once in the ’90s, and we were sitting near the top, watching lightning dance over the Denver skyline. Awesome! Great photos, Ingrid. 😉

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    1. Thanks, I’m thinking more and more that a concert at Red Rocks is a must for us. That Sting concert with the dancing lightening in the distance had to be awesome.

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  7. I just know that we are going to be sharing a wonderful life with you and Al… I picture the pair of you in a bit of a wonderment… such a change in permanent life style… but I foresee you both settling into the life style of an RV’er…. I’m actually jealous as this has always been my dream for retirement… still is my dream but just don’t see it happening in the very near future… have a great time.. Ingrid, and just relax and enjoy the change in life style…

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    1. You and I both know, ya never know what new adventure life will throw at you. Full-time was not our plan until 6 months ago. We’ve learned to roll with life’s challenges with open minds. Things seem to work out better that way 🙂

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  8. Great shots. Now you really get to do more shooting! Had to smile at your “meander” reference because I changed the saying in my header to include it. (Great minds in tune?)

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  9. I would love to go to Red Rocks for some serious working out! Great idea. Slow down? hmm we have not slowed down a bit as you can very well see in our travels. But the best thing is we don’t have to work and we keep pinching ourselves that we are really living our dreams.
    Enjoy and get used to your new reality…unchained from the stick and brick house.

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    1. You two exhaust me…lol. So don’t plan on us keeping a pace anywhere close to yours. I’m sure you’ll slow down on year 2 or 3 😉 Our new favorite word and motto = meander!

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  11. We used to love hiking there when we lived in Co. Saw Norah Jones for the first time at this venue. If you are like me Ingrid, you may never slow down to the pace most RVers do. I just don’t know if it is part of our DNA. 🙂

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    1. I here the acoustics are awesome at Red Rocks. We just may have to plan a return with some concert tickets. I could see you amongst those serious exercisers getting in a workout – running up and down the stairs. I think you’re right about the DNA….lol.

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    1. Thanks Clay, I’m trying to get back into hiking mode/shape so I can tackle some longer distances and hopefully capture some beautiful backcountry.

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  14. Wow, those are some serious stairs, and the ramp . . . !
    Looks like you got back on track and have taken some beautiful images. My favorite is the flower; what is it?
    Happy trails.

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      1. Thanks and seems Jeanne let us both know what kind of flower that is because I sure didn’t know….. Goblin Blanket Flower. Looked like a daisy to me 🙂

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  16. It does take a while to adjust to the change in lifestyle, that’s for sure. This sounds like an area I’d like to explore sometime during one of our western trips. You just keep on having fun girl!

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    1. I’ve actually been going to Red Rocks the past 5 mornings to hike and work out (just a little). Such a beautiful place….an hour and a half is over before I know it. Wish I could take this gym with me 🙂

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  18. It is so exciting to read this. I so remember all those feelings three years ago. As a matter of fact, I still find it hard to believe I really don’t have to work again, have no time schedule, no place to be, etc. It truly is a wonderful life:)

    I think I would have reacted the same way AL did with your morning energy. If I am up at 7:00, that’s early. I LOVE that I can stay in bed as long as want. Of course, it is usually after 11:00 before we get to sleep.

    Enjoy those hikes and having time to enjoy cooking healthy. It is so much fun to have that time to be creative with meals.

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    1. I’m usually in bed by 10 so getting up at 6 seems to work. I love the light and quiet of early morning as well as watching all the busy activity of the birds and animals. I’m getting back in the swing of hiking….certainly not up to your level yet and now I need to work on meal plans a bit better.

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  19. Looks like a fine way to start your day. I can imagine becoming a full timer being similar to becoming a retiree with a big adjustment. While I’m good at being in retirement mode, when we travel, we still try to cram as much in as possible – have fun with the transition.

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    1. That’s the beauty of not having a schedule…we can take our time and not feel like we have to see it all now. Our new favorite word “meander”.

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  20. How dreamy….so it’s settling in? So happy for you. I feel the need to get back with the program as well….last two months is showing on my waistline! Not sure I’m ready to hit the road running on all fours…but to wake up and only have planning a healthy lifestyle on the menu – bring it on! Your photography is top notch…NICE!

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    1. Don’t plan on hitting the road running. Take it slow and recover. You’ll realize this transition is more exhausting than you could have imagined. Thanks for the compliment on my photos. I have fun with my camera (s).

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  21. 10 months after retirement and selling the house we still get up between 6 – 6:30. I guess that’s just who we are (of course the cat has something to do with that time!). I’d say it took us a good six months to feel fully comfortable and integrated into this mobile lifestyle (and retirement). Now we don’t know how we ever had time to work and take care of a house!

    Metamorphosis Lisa

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    1. I love getting up early….the morning light and animals. My dad always says, “retirement is a full-time job”. Caring for a house was cutting into way too much play time. I think we’ll fall into a routine in short order!

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  24. I have an “old” VHS tape of Fleetwood Mac doing a concert at Red Rocks. I think it would be a beautiful and inspiring place to hear live music.

    Good for you to get back in the swing with exercise – I need to do the same! 😉

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    1. Oh, how I would love to see Fleetwood Mac live at Red Rocks. I never get tired of listening to them. It feels good to be back in hiking mode 🙂

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