Reevaluating Travel After Retirement
I used to joke that I worked so I could travel. Then I got laid off, which quietly turned into retirement, and suddenly that old expression felt very real. These days my “trips” are mostly to the local grocery store.
But that hasn’t stopped me from dreaming. I still read, plan, and binge travel videos while I explore side hustles to support my travel habit.
Why Colorado Became My Last Big Trip
Colorado was the last real adventure I took as COVID wound down and life began to feel normal again. I’ll admit—it wasn’t one of my favorite trips. Even before I left, I struggled to choose which part of the state to visit. Colorado is huge, and the list of iconic destinations is overwhelming.
Colorado’s Endless List of Must‑See Attractions
From sweeping landscapes to historic sites, Colorado is packed with bucket‑list stops:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Pikes Peak
- Garden of the Gods
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest suspension bridge
- Four Corners Monument, where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet
- Mesa Verde National Park, high on my personal list
I even watched Josh Gates explore the Telluride region and retrace the steps of Butch Cassidy, which only added more destinations to my already long list.
Why I Ended Up in Breckenridge
Despite all those options, I landed in Breckenridge. And instead of hiking and exploring, I spent more time lying down than standing up. Altitude sickness hit me harder than expected and slowed me to a crawl.
I searched for bighorn sheep with no luck, but I did spot a couple of moose—small victories count.
The Train Ride I Missed
I managed to squeeze in a train ride, but not the one I really wanted: the iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. That one is still on my list, and it’s going to play a big role in Part 2 of this story.
A Curious Colorado Mystery
That train came back to mind recently when I saw a video clip making the rounds online. It appeared to show a huge, hairy figure striding across a hillside near the tracks. Whether it was a prank, a shadow, or something more mysterious… well, that’s a tale for the next post.
