My dream home would be to live among the pines in a mountain town made of clouds and fresh air. During winter, I would view majestic peaks with snow-capped mountains. My alpine meadow would come alive in spring and summer when wildflowers of Blue Columbine, Black-eyed Susans, and Blank Flowers filled my world with timeless beauty. In the fall, aspen would begin their fall show as leaves changed from deep yellow to gold.
I would find comfort and peace with two pint-sized companions that would announce the arrival of chipmunks, rabbits, and deer. We would spend our days under a canopy of towering pine, exploring mountain trails. Then, in the evenings, we would settle down on a back porch swing and watch for shooting stars. And I would breathe and enjoy a quiet life of simple living.
If I won the lottery, I would do all the normal things that I know I should do. I would help family and friends and set aside money to help those down on their luck. But the one thing I know I would do in a heartbeat would be to find a mountain cabin among pine trees and aspens in the Colorado mountains.
For me, there is just something magical when spending time in nature. I love the smell of mountain pines on a crisp morning. I enjoy setting on a porch, drinking my coffee, and watching hummingbirds flit about their feeders and chipmunks scurry about looking for food to store. I love hearing breaking twigs and crunching leaves, knowing that when I look up, I will view mule deer walking slowly in the distance, ever alert of their surroundings.
Relaxing in the mountains offers a quiet peace and restores the soul. So until I win the lottery, I will be content taking my mountain getaways and dreaming of a time when I can call a piece of the Rocky Mountains home.
Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.
O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain
America, America, God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.
America’s Mountain regally stands north of my home, so I often sit on my porch and admire its beauty. The blueish-purple outline rests among clear blue Colorado skies with billowing clouds that nestle close to its peak. Fresh untouched snow lingers at the summit, even at times, during summer months. Then, when the sun slowly sets, dusky skies shower viewers with a stunning light show. Pike’s Peak never disappoints.
Pike’s Peak inspired many to explore its valleys and peaks. This mountain encouraged writers and poets, artists, and dreamers. It beckoned explorers and scientists and provided refuge for wildlife and adventurers who desired outdoor havens. It provided breathtaking beauty and endless vast views of Colorado lands.
Pike’s Peak was named for an early explorer and has been nicknamed America’s Mountian. She found her way into our hearts with her amazing views and filled us with pride when we sang “America the Beautiful.” Yep, this same mountain inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write the poem “Pike’s Peak.” Later, Samuel A. Ward transformed the poem into the song we know and love today.
So why haven’t I visited this beauty since returning to Colorado over forty years ago? Good question. I was two months old when my dad was stationed at Fort Carson. We lived in the area for two years. During that time, my parents explored this mountain and drove to the summit with a baby in tow. So technically, I visited this mountain, but the older version of me would like to take away some memories and photos.
So I did a quick research. I can drive to the top or take the Cog Railway, a mode of transportation with a long history of transporting visitors to the top of this mountain. Plus, I could make a day of it and spend time in Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, or have dinner at the Flying W Ranch. Hmm, I foresee a road trip in the future!
If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?
If I had a freeway billboard, it would offer a brief bio.
Watch out, I-25! On any given weekend, Annie, aka Honey by her family and friends, maybe headin’ your way. The queen of healthy mocha lattes requires scenic mountain havens and wide open spaces. This champion procrastinator and Doxxie wrangler will crave the company of mule deer, hoarding chipmunks, and chubby little nutcrackers. She travels with a pair of spoiled furbabies that require treats, endless walks, and lots of cuddles. She will drive Ruby, her faithful Chevy HHR (Honey’s Hot Ride). If you see this weekend explorer, remind her that she has lesson plans to create and endless papers to grade. If she grumbles, advise her that her pups have become accustomed to a particular lifestyle, and that she needs this job to maintain their pampered way of life.
“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.” Teaching children values and giving them the opportunity to excel is essential to good parenting. However, I feel I must also provide my children (and myself) insight into the ones who came before us: our ancestors whose lives and stories have shaped us into who we are. This is my journey; these are their stories…
Tales of a Family 
