Colorado Adventures & Meeting the Crochetpreneur

Pin it before you forget

Join me in my latest Crochet Diaries as I share our 10-day Colorado adventure – hiking, rafting, meeting the Crochetpreneur, and bringing crochet along for the ride!

Hey friend!

We just spent 10 days in Colorado, and it was quite the trip! Last year, we stayed in Estes Park, but Colorado is such a big state and has so much to offer that we wanted to stay in a different spot this time. We opted for Colorado Springs since it felt more centrally located to many of the things we wanted to do.

Colorado Adventures & Meeting the Crochetpreneur

Our First Day: Hiking, Mule Deer, and Zip Lining

Our first day started with a hike near—but not in—the Garden of the Gods. I quickly realized my lungs were not at all acclimated to the elevation, so we took it slow. The views were worth every step, and we saw plenty of mule deer along the way.

Later that morning, my husband went zip-lining while Britton (my son) and I happily played spectators. I probably could’ve been talked into it, but truthfully, I was just as happy watching from the ground.

That afternoon, we made our way to the Broadmoor’s Seven Falls. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, and the walk to get there was easy. But to be honest, the falls themselves were a little underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong…they were beautiful! But in my head, I was expecting something more like Watkins Glen State Park back home, with individual waterfalls. I mean, I guess they were individual falls, but again, I had a different picture in my head. Still, we had a fun time and even grabbed dinner at the restaurant there, which was surprisingly good.

White Water Rafting & Royal Gorge

The next day was probably the biggest adventure of the trip—we headed down to Cañon City for white water rafting! I had gone rafting in West Virginia years ago as a teenager, but this was brand new for my husband and son. We rafted the Arkansas River, and it was such a blast. The rapids were exhilarating, but honestly, the scenery stole the show.

Since we couldn’t bring our phones, I wished I’d invested in a GoPro beforehand, but thankfully a photographer in a kayak captured shots of us along the way. (I’m on the left in the purple, my husband and son are in the front)

And all was not lost, because afterward, we took a train ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad…literally along the same stretch of river. We splurged on the dome car, but if we did it again, we’d probably choose a regular car since we spent most of our time in the open-air section anyway.

Before heading back, we also drove Skyline Drive. My son and I loved the sweeping views, but my husband wasn’t so thrilled—it’s a narrow one-way road without guardrails and steep drop-offs on both sides! I give him credit though, because he drove us up bravely, and he got to enjoy my photos afterward.

Meeting the Crochetpreneur

One of the highlights for me personally was meeting Pam Grice, the Crochetpreneur. If you don’t know Pam, she’s a talented designer, teacher, and coach for crochet business owners. She’s helped so many makers grow their businesses, and her blog is packed with both beautiful patterns and solid business advice. We enjoyed lunch and lots of conversation—it was such a treat to meet her in person!

The Manitou Incline Challenge

The next day, we braved the famous Manitou Incline. I was nervous, but I felt ready as long as I paced myself. We started early in the morning while it was still dark, and I kept a close eye on my Apple Watch to manage my heart rate.

It took me two hours to climb to the top, but I never sat down—just one step at a time until I made it. The walk back down took another two hours along a 3.5-mile switchback trail, which was far easier than the climb up. Reaching the top felt like such an accomplishment!

Manitou Springs & Family Fun

We also spent a day in downtown Manitou Springs, which is such a charming (but very busy) little town. One of the main attractions is a giant penny arcade—my son absolutely loved it. Honestly, other than rafting, this might have been his favorite part of the whole trip. The town is packed with shops, sidewalk cafés, and plenty of fun things to explore.

We squeezed in other smaller activities too, like visiting the Ghost Town Museum and making more than one stop at Dutch Bros coffee (a treat we don’t have back east).

One of my absolute favorite things to do when we travel is pop into local coffee shops. There’s just something so cozy about finding a cute little spot, ordering a hot cup of tea (or sometimes something fun and seasonal), and just sitting for a bit to soak in the atmosphere. We visited several coffee shops during our trip, and each one had its own charm. I snapped a few photos of my favorites so you can see why I loved them so much. It’s such a simple joy, but honestly, it’s one of the ways I feel most grounded when we’re on the road.

Sunrise at Garden of the Gods

Toward the end of our trip, we finally hiked inside Garden of the Gods itself. And let me tell you—it was absolutely incredible. Even the photos don’t come close to capturing it. We went early in the morning to catch the sunrise and avoid the crowds, and the way the light hit those massive red rock formations was breathtaking. I honestly don’t know how to describe it—it was one of those moments where you just stand still and take it all in.

Crochet on the Road

Of course, I couldn’t leave out the crochet part of my trip! I brought along a whole suitcase of yarn (yes, literally), and while I didn’t crochet every day, I did make progress on a blanket project. It’s almost finished now, and I can’t wait to show you soon.

Wrapping Up

Colorado gave us so many memories: adventure, family time, and some much-needed beauty. I’m grateful for it all. And now that we’re back home in the Finger Lakes, I’m happily settling back into the rhythm of crochet, blogging, and cabin life.

Thanks for letting me share this trip with you; it feels like writing a letter to a good friend. Until next time, happy crocheting and safe travels wherever life takes you.

XOXO,
Christine