Peaks, Pines, and Parklands Across Colorado, Utah and Wyoming

Fourteen days, three states, and countless miles of open road. Our family set out from Denver with an RV packed full of essentials and a sense of adventure that only grew with every turn of the wheel. We drove into a world where towering red rocks meet endless blue skies, where golden sand dunes ripple beneath snow-capped peaks, and where forests give way to vast, silent canyons.

From the moment we rolled into Garden of the Gods, the landscape unfolded like a living painting. Jagged red spires reached skyward, glowing in the late afternoon sun, while the air smelled of pine and earth. It was a glimpse of the grandeur that awaited us on the road ahead.

As we journeyed onward, one of the most unforgettable moments came unexpectedly at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Flowing through the base of the dunes was Medano Creek—a rare, seasonal stream that only appears for a few weeks in early summer. Lenni (then, only 2yo) scrambled into the cool, shallow water of the gentle rush of the creek as it wound through the sand. It was a unique experience, feeling the icy mountain meltwater rush past bare toes in a place usually defined by heat and endless dunes. This fleeting river brought the desert alive in a way none of us had anticipated, a reminder that even the harshest landscapes hold surprises. Our boys climbed to the top, breathless and grinning, dragging sand sleds and one after another, they launched down the slopes, steering with their feet, arms outstretched for balance. It wasn’t snow, but they rode those dunes like seasoned skiers—tumbling, sliding, climbing back up again without hesitation. It was pure joy, the kind of sandy, sun-soaked adventure they’ll never forget.

The road climbed higher to Grand Mesa, where alpine lakes shimmered and aspens whispered in the breeze. The temperature dropped, and as the sun set, we grilled dinner beneath a sky turning from pink to starry indigo. Out here, time slowed, and the vastness of the world around us became impossible to ignore.

Driving through sheer canyons carved by ancient rivers, we found quiet moments filled with shadow and stillness. A pause in Durango gave us a chance to breathe, to savor small-town charm before crossing into Utah. Flaming Gorge greeted us with its fiery cliffs reflected perfectly in still blue water—a scene so vivid it felt almost otherworldly.

Finally, Wyoming welcomed us with the towering peaks of Grand Teton and the raw, dynamic landscape of Yellowstone. The Tetons sliced sharply into the sky, their snow-dusted ridges mirrored in serene alpine lakes. We barely managed to peek at those magnificent mountains in the heavy rain and fog! Abd were comforted that we could at least pause in an awe when we visited Yellowstone, where the earth pulsed with geysers, steaming vents, and roaming bison, a powerful reminder of nature’s wild heart.

Our journey home took us through Rocky Mountain National Park, where elk grazed peacefully and mountain ridges stretched endlessly. Each twist and turn of the road revealed another breathtaking panorama, a fitting finale to a trip defined by vast skies and unforgettable beauty.

As we rolled back into Denver, the city lights felt welcoming, but our hearts carried the quiet magic of Medano Creek’s cool flow, the warmth of campfire dinners, and the endless horizons that made these fourteen days a journey unlike any other.