A couple years ago,
Paul and I had a Hawaii trip planned. Flights and hotels were booked.
I had our entire 9 day itinerary (part 1) (part 2) on The Big Island planned. We were
so excited.
Then we found out
Paul needed another brain surgery and he would not be recovered in time to go on our trip.
It was a horrible
feeling to need to cancel our trip for such a scary reason. We were
so sad.
After everything
was canceled, we found out his surgery wasn't needed just yet.
Obviously we were relieved Paul wouldn't have to go through the
surgery again, but we were upset that we had already ditched our
Hawaii plans and lost money in the process. Since we weren't quite sure when the surgery would
be needed, we were too scared to plan such a huge trip for fear we'd
have to cancel it again.
But something
absolutely WONDERFUL came out of this HUGE disappointment.
That
summer, instead of going to Hawaii, we planned a SUPER last minute
trip (3 days notice!) to Colorado. We had never been to Colorado
before, but we went on a whim.
And as you know...
Colorado is our absolute favorite place to visit! We have had so many
amazing experiences in Colorado. Those memories will last us our
entire lives.
I'll never forget the drive up Mt. Evans...
Touring the Broncos Stadium...
Running up The Incline...
Taking the cog railway to the top of Pike's Peak...
Hiking to Emerald Lake in RMNP...
Walking in Garden of the Gods...
It is amazing how something so WONDERFUL came out of something so SHITTY! As horrible as canceling Hawaii felt, I am REALLY GLAD IT HAPPENED. I am sure we would have had fun in Hawaii, but would we have ever started our love affair with Colorado? I really don't know!
I'm sure we'll make
it to Hawaii someday. But I hope we visit Colorado a couple more
times, too!
Have you ever been to Colorado or Hawaii?
What is your dream vacation?
Is there a place you would like to keep going back to?
What is your dream vacation?
Is there a place you would like to keep going back to?
I am so glad that even though you didn't make it to Hawaii (YET) you found Colorado! I do love my state and I love to see it through your blog, too! I've lived here since I was 5 and it's easy to sometimes take the awe and beauty of it for granted. We do want to go to Hawaii and it's on the list but we haven't gotten there, yet. I think right now my dream place to visit is Greece (Rick wants to go to Machu Picchu)! And yes, we have a place we keep going: Mexico. It's just so lovely and very quick and quite inexpensive to get there. I love the food, the culture, the people, the sun and the beach! We are headed there in 2 weeks, in fact!
ReplyDeleteYeah! I know yas love Mexico. Paul and I have to get our passports so we can do that. I feel like we will do something tropical that is more inexpensive before going to Hawaii.
DeleteAnd the nice thing about Mexico and going to an all inclusive is you can do as much or as little as you want and since you didn't spend a ton of $$ and take a really long flight to get there, you don't feel so bad when you just hang out at the resort pool (w/ swim up bar!). Rick and I venture out each day to snorkel, walk to town, etc. but make sure we get back in early afternoon so we can do the "hang by the pool" scene!
DeleteThat's what I envision... like 3-4 days of just CHILLING.
DeleteHawaii is one of the two states I have not been to. It's pretty expensive and a difficult place to go. I also really love Colorado, but it is pretty crowded there. We're planning a trip out that way some time in February. Can't wait! I'm glad you had such a good time!
ReplyDeleteSo you have been to every state but two? I am impressed!
DeleteAww, look at you two! I can tell just from the pics that you hadd a fabulous time! Sorry you had to cancel your Hawaii trip but i'm sure when it comes to Paul's health you would have done it all over again.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have mentioned this before but we too had a Hawaii trip planned and we had to cancel because of the failing health of our old dog. We did not get any of our money back but we were able to transfer it to another vacation package. I got to do a land and see package (Orlando and then a cruise) and was able to take one of my friends on her very first cruise. The land and sea package wasn't worth as much as the Hawaii trip so I guess we lost money on that too but like you, I had just as good of a time and didn't regret going. Now I've kind of lost the desire to go to Hawaii. I guess i'm just too lazy to travel that far..haha.
I do remember you telling me that! How devastating. :( I know Paul and I would have been just as sad canceling the trip if it was for one of our babies being sick!
DeleteOh wow, that's crazy about your plans. I'm glad it all worked out. We LOVE Colorado and will be heading there in March for skiing. It is incredible there. Someday we will make it to Hawaii - that is also on our dream vacation list. Not sure the kids would really appreciate it at their ages though. I have money put aside to go to Europe. Not sure when that will happen, but I will get there!
ReplyDeleteYou know what's funny, we have never been there in the winter! I used to ski in hs/college but not anymore. Do you think just you and Alan will go to Hawaii or do you just want to wait until the kids are a little older and all go together?
DeleteHawaii was going to be our destination trip for our 25th wedding anniversary this year, with the kids, but I'm just not sure that is the best match. Maybe wait and go without them!!
DeleteI've never been to Colorado but your pics are gorgeous! I'm glad you got to go on a vacation even though Hawaii didn't work out and I'm glad Paul is doing so much better now too.
ReplyDeleteIt all worked out so well in the end. It's crazy how down we were but we turned it around.
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Colorado! I love your positive attitude and I have no doubt that you and Paul would have had fun anywhere. You guys have such a solid bond. <3 I went to Hawaii with Jason on our honeymoon and I'd love to go back with Andrew! He went there on his honeymoon too! Ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious! I definitely think you and Andrew need to go back together. :) If you ever go to CO, hit me up and I will write an itinerary for you! And we will meet you there. ;)
DeleteBeen to both, and now live in Colorado. I've been to Oahu and Kauai, and enjoyed both. I'm not much of a beach girl, but the islands had a lot to do off the beach.
ReplyDeleteYou live in our favorite vacation spot! :)
DeleteThat had to be so stressful to not only have to cancel travel plans but the surgery alone. Way to react in such a positive way and make some sweet lemonade out of some sour lemons. Colorado is amazing. So is Hawaii. I honestly couldn't pick one over the other. Apples and oranges. How's that for getting 3 fruits in one comment. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha well down! Yes, I can imagine Hawaii and CO are both so awesome in completely different ways.
DeleteWhat a great way to turn something around! I'm glad that Paul is doing better now! would you ever reconsider your trip to Hawaii?
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure we will go to Hawaii eventually but I will be honest, I am a little nervous to go so far away from the kitties.
DeleteI remember all of that happening. I'm so glad that you discovered your love for Colorado this way!
ReplyDeleteI really want to go back to London and Paris! I just feel like there are so many other places to visit in the world that it would be a shame to go back there without a specific reason ... which is why I want to run the London Marathon, to give myself a specific reason :D
YES! That is actually a good excuse. :)
DeleteIve been to Hawaii but never Colorado! I bet that would be a great place to visit. Im glad you guys had such a great trip even though you had to cancel your plans for such a terrible reason!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever decide to go to CO, hit me up and I will help you plan!
DeleteHawaii is on my bucket list... a cruise though to see as much as possible!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I bet that would be a really long cruise. Or would you fly there and THEN cruise? That makes more sense I guess.
DeleteI guess there's a silver lining to nearly everything :) I'd still love to go to Hawaii someday!!
ReplyDeleteThere sure is!
Delete