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Rocky Mountain High

By Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

June 11, 2013 07:29 AM

It's been 15 years since I took a road trip to God's country. I'll never forget it... the kids and I were greeted by an August meteor shower... the very inspiration John Denver spoke of when he penned Colorado's most infamous song, Rocky Mountain High.

It was one of the best trips we ever took as a family... which is why I got a hankering to do it again just 2 weeks ago. Colorado is a beautiful state, filled to the brim with majestic mountains, clear blue skies, and the most spectacular clouds I've ever seen. You can't help but get a natural high from nature there.

We almost moved to Colorado many moons ago, but decided to relocate to Southern Oregon instead due to the close proximity to California and family. I've questioned that decision a few times over the years, especially after this trip. Colorado is stunning!

Driving through the Rocky Mountain state, you barely notice that we just came out of one of the worst economic downturns in American history. Colorado towns are booming with new construction, commercial retail, and more importantly... jobs! Everywhere we went, we saw 'Help Wanted' signs. The real estate market seems robust too, with plenty of humongous beautiful homes for sale.

Aside from visiting my best friend, some of special highlights of this trip was a hike up Devils Head Lookout in the Pike National Forest. It was a serious climb to the top, 9748 feet, and a total butt kicker, but oh what fun! We also visited a few of my favorite towns... Manitou Springs, Breckenridge and Vail. And to top things off... we enjoyed a Sting concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It was quite a climb to get there, but the spectacular view and fabulous concert made it totally worth it!

The only downside to taking a road trip along several deserted stretches (i.e. Nevada, Utah & Wyoming) is finding a decent coffee house and good places to eat. Next time, I'll have to remember to pack a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I managed to gain 10 pounds on this trip anyway... so I certainly wasn't starving ;-)

A few pics I snapped along the way!

Beautiful Blue Colorado Skies - Mel Peterson

Gorgeous Sunset - Mel Peterson's Colorado Road Trip

Castle Rock Colorado Home - Mel Peterson

Road Trip To God's Country - Melinda Peterson

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have only been in a tiny corner of that state while driving out west. I really have to get out there and drive around some.

Jun 11, 2013 07:31 AM

Carolyn Crispin

Keller Williams Tri-Lakes - Branson, MO

Crispin Team Sells Branson Homes Land & Commercial

Love the Rockies! Ditto on the desert states,. lesson 1 always have food. lesson 2 Dont let gas tank get too low..

Jun 11, 2013 07:38 AM

Brian L. Sirota, Esq.

Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA

For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Mel, sounds like a peachy trip. Brian

Jun 11, 2013 08:00 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Mel, Next time you go, climb up to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon...it is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! It is a memorable experience like no other!

Jun 11, 2013 08:13 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

It's totally worth the drive... Tammy!

LOL... Carolyn! There was a few times I got a little worried when there was no gas station in sight for miles and miles and miles ;-)

Peachy indeed... Brian! A funny side note... I ate a pecan-peach muffin every morning for breakfast on the trip... it's probably the reason I gained 10 lbs!

Next trip... Wanda! Do you have any drive-thru coffee houses in St. George, Utah? We couldn't find any along the I-80 stretch and I certainly missed my fix!

Jun 11, 2013 08:29 AM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I have never been to Colorado... from these pics I think I ought to go!! Glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing

have a good night

Rob

Jun 11, 2013 08:41 AM

Jim Patton

Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA

Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Beautiful photos Melinda. There are so many beautiful places in the country that I need to get out and see. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 11, 2013 08:56 AM

Janis Borgueta

Newburgh, NY

Retired RE Salesperson

Looks like a beautiful place to be and a great roadtrip

Jun 11, 2013 10:16 AM

Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage

Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL

Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

That is some very seriously beautiful country and glad you had a great time.

Jun 11, 2013 10:46 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

You're missing out Rob... but I think you live a a beautiful part of the U.S. too ;-)

Thanks Jim! I think everyone ought to do a road-trip sometime in their lives ;-)

It was and is... Janis! I personally love the east coast too ;-)

There's something very refreshing about being one with nature... Kevin!

Jun 11, 2013 11:40 AM

Lou Ludwig

Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL

Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Mel

Sounds like you experienced a Rocky Mountain High.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 11, 2013 12:59 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

MEL! Why didn't you call me? We could have connected and met face-to-face! I've lived in beautiful CO for 20+ years and absolutely love it.

Jun 11, 2013 08:51 PM

Jeff Markell

Empire Home Loans Inc. - Tustin, CA

Sr. Mortgage Consultant - Forward & Reverse

I haven't been to all 50 of them, but I have been to my share and Colorado is the one that does it for me. Between the service and playing ski bum, I've spent about 2 years there and God willing, it will be my retirement spot. So many beautiful places...Thanks Mel for taking me down memory lane.

Jun 11, 2013 10:29 PM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Mel, great photos, I've never been to Colorado, but I'm overdue for a Rocky Mountain High road trip. Thanks for the tour!

Jun 12, 2013 12:06 AM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Mel, I am long overdue for a road trip! I like God's Country wherever it happens to be ... typically all around us :-) Getting high on God is my most favorite thing to do! Glad to know that you had a blast!

Jun 12, 2013 03:04 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Smiles... Lou! It's easy to do when you're roaming in God's country ;-)

My best friend already had a 'list of things to do' when I got there... Donna, which left me little time to myself ;-) Next trip... I promise! And yes, it's a beautiful state!!!

I've been thinking about buying a little place there too... Jeffrey ;-)

If you visit Colorado... you may not want to go home Adrian! It's that nice!

Road trips are good for clearing the head, cleansing the soul, and becoming one with nature again. I highly recommend taking a trip Kathleen! This is your invitation to come up to Southern Oregon for a little R&R!

Jun 12, 2013 03:53 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Be careful with the wildfires, the place is burning down. Seriously it has been very dangerous of late with dry, very hot, and windy conditions. But when it's not ashes, a very beautiful state I so agree.

Jun 12, 2013 04:32 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Mel, I'm very envious of your trip. I've been to Colorado several times in the past and they've all been road trips with friends or someone special and every trip left me wanting more. I never made it to Red Rocks Amphitheater, but maybe someday!

Jun 12, 2013 07:28 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Mel,

The trip sounds like it was extremely meaningful. You had a lot of time to reflect and ponder. Although you can't turn back the hands of time, I know that you will continue to make good decisions for yourself and your family.

Shoot for the stars! Follow your passion!

I truly understand.

Jun 12, 2013 11:34 PM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

That's what I hear... Gary. Fortunately, the fires started after we returned home. It's sad to see, but it's something that many southwest communities experience this time of year.

It was wonderful to get away and clear my head... Nick. I've had a couple of years from hell, serving on my local Realtor board... so this trip did wonders for my soul ;-)

It was indeed... Patricia! I just love your positive energy, and especially your statement... 'Shoot for the stars! Follow your passion!' It's right up my alley GF ;-)

Jun 13, 2013 05:34 AM