Tag: Colorado

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Settling Into Our Friendship Home

A flock of birds flying in the air, against a background of a tall building and a power line.
Proverbs 27:8 (ESV)—Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

Sunset, in Denver, Colorado, shadows streaked across the sky, a flock of birds dancing as one while twenty or more lined up on a power line in the distance. Their back-and-forth dance, a choreographed masterpiece, lasted about five minutes. My feathered friends then, all at once, as if they’d heard a signal, shot down from the sky and into the trees lining the sidewalk, and a symphony of birdsong exploded into the air.

A sight to behold, for sure, and a reminder of God’s design for seeking wisdom in friendship. When we flock together and seek heartfelt, biblical wisdom from one another, our friendships become a restful “home” and a safe, secure place for our relationships to grow and thrive.

With our friendship homes, we don’t need to stray to find our heart’s desires; instead, we settle into the firm foundation of God with a community of believers. We pray for, gently guide, serve, and confide in one another. Most important, we love one another, settling into the tree and creating a symphony of friendship that puts our soul at ease.

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Abiding in the Valley

Mountain valley covered in snow in the Swiss Alps
A building set in a mountain valley with a stream running through, located below the Ebenalp mountain peak in Switzerland.
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)—Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Many a valley has captured my attention. I’ve hiked the hills of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, gazing down on yellow aspens in the fall. In Switzerland, I’ve gawked at the Alps from a train car winding its way through the rugged mountains, the valley views spectacular from above and below. I’ve sat in the passenger seat while my husband drove us on the winding Pacific Coast Highway, traveling from valley through clouds and above the clouds, the white floor stretching out like a vast flatland meadow.

Valleys give us good reason to not fear “the valley of the shadow of death.” The valley is alive with God’s creation. The trees provide the oxygen we need to live; bathe us in shade on hot summer days; and of course give us a tangible, up-close picture of God’s creation. Clouds can warm the earth at night, protect us from the sun’s heat during the day, cast rain on the earth, and warn of inclement weather.

The valley also plays host to God’s people, and God uses the valley to protect and provide for his people. For example, in the story of Isaac and Abimelek, Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar, after the Philistines filled the wells of his father, Abraham. Isaac’s people dug more wells, but others disputed ownership of the first two. The third, undisputed by others, “he named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land’” (Genesis 26:22).

The valley, though sometimes shaded with our troubles, also offers hope. From the valley, we can move our gaze upward to our Father and pray for his provision and protection. Indeed, when we feel as if we’re in a valley, we can “abide in the shadow of the Almighty,” our “refuge and fortress” (Psalm 91:1–2).

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Walking an Upward Path

A cross set at the top of a mountain trail in Glenwood Springs, Colorado 
Proverbs 15:24 (ESV)—The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 15:24 (GNT)—Wise people walk the road that leads upward to life, not the road that leads downward to death.
A dirt hiking path lined with aspens with yellow leaves

In Glenwood Springs, Colorado, I hiked the Red Mountain Trail, a moderate trail with a steady climb on a zigzag path about three and a half miles long. About halfway up the trail, I huffed and puffed, admiring the panoramic vistas but questioning my husband, “Should we turn back?” while we stopped to rest at an overlook. My eyes scanned upward, backward, and I decided we’d come to Colorado to hike, to see the fall colors, so hike we did. Right to the top, where a metal cross stood to mark our victory. We endured.

The path of life is like a trail that tests our endurance. The bends bring surprises—of beauty and of pain. In the beauty, it’s easy for us to move on. Out of breath, low on energy, we question our ability to move forward or we wonder why we’ve chosen this path in the first place. Then we reach an overlook that displays the vastness of our choice and we find the energy to go on.

Moving forward brings us closer to God, and he gives us the tools to endure until we reach the foot of the cross and our eternal reward. In our struggles, he brings us peace when we put our minds on him. His peace protects our hearts and minds. When his peace rules our hearts, we can reach the cross through all of life’s circumstances. We can endure.

A view of the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado from a mountain hiking path
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Glenwood Springs, Colorado: A Photo Journey

Planning

Glenwood Springs sign that gives the elevation and date the town was settled. Elev: 5746. Inc: 1885.
My hubby wanted to see mountains. So I visited the Amtrak website and browsed the route maps. I followed the California Zephyr route with my finger. Shortly past Denver, I found Glenwood Springs, Colorado. A few minutes on Tripadvisor and it was decided—we were going to Glenwood Springs.

Days 1–2: On the Train

A flight of bacon on a plate
A one-hour stopover in Denver. We de-boarded the train and ate at Snooze in Denver Union Station. Who doesn’t love a bacon flight? Not to mention the pumpkin pancakes.
A mountainous landscape of pine trees and yellow aspen
A view from the train between Denver and Glenwood Springs. Fall color on full display.

Day 3

A mountainous landscape with a river at the base of the mountain
The Rio Grande Trail. A little rainy, but so beautiful.
A mountainous landscape overlooking Glenwood Springs
Another scenic view. This time from the Doc Holliday Trail.
A view of the mineral hot springs swimming pool with steam rising from the water
A soak in the mineral hot springs swimming pool after a hard day of hiking.

Day 4

A mountainous landscape overlooking Glenwood Springs
Tackled the Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail, a three-plus-mile uphill hike. I admit, at about the halfway point, I wanted to give up. But I didn’t! Onward and upward.
A mountainous landscape with pine trees and yellow aspens
Somewhere along the hike, I stopped to take a picture. Okay…I stopped several times. The views were just so lovely!
A mountainous landscape with a dirt path winding into the trees
Down the mountain! I love this photo. It makes me want to explore!

Day 5

A mountainous landscape with a river
We spent the morning in a coffee shop and said we’d take it easy. But we were in Colorado and the weather was perfect. So another hike, this time the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path.
A plate filled with a base of vegetables topped with trout topped with an avocado
Dinner at the Co. Ranch House.

Day 6

A walking path with a snow-covered mountain in the background
A hike on another portion of the Rio Grande Trail to cap off a day of soaking in the hot springs and reading in a coffee shop.

Day 7

A "do not disturb wildlife" sign with a picture of a bighorn sheep
An early morning hike at the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail. I had big hopes of seeing a bighorn sheep. No such luck. On the train ride in, I spotted one on a mountain ledge with its cream-colored butt facing the train. My hubby informed me there were at least seventeen others surrounding this one sheep.
A mountainous landscape overlooking Glenwood Springs
A late-afternoon hike, this time the Scout Trail.

Day 8

Amtrak train
The Amtrak arrives to pick us up. But wait…repairs to the track allow us three more hours in Glenwood Springs!
A canyon landscape
One last view from the train.