There is no shortage of places to visit and things to do in Colorado. Dramatic wilderness and diverse terrain backed by the iconic Rocky Mountains are a staple of the Colorado image. Colorado’s namesake continues its blazing display of color beyond the towering snow capped peaks and mirrored lakes to lesser known destinations. Whether it’s adrenaline packed adventure or relaxing picturesque retreats that tickles your fancy, a Southern Colorado vacation rental will reveal unexpected wonders.
Iconic Colorado – Extraordinary Places to Visit and Things to do in Colorado
A Trail of Highlights and Things to do in Southern Colorado
There are few places in the world that consistently score very high on everyone’s ‘must see’ list. This kind of hype can create slippery slopes of disappointment when the site doesn’t live up to the craze. Thankfully, this is in no way applicable to the splendor of Yellowstone National Park. This extraordinary place is beyond the words and photographs you may have seen before. It has easily shot to the top of my list of truthfully shocking and impressive natural wonders.
Proclaimed the very first national park in the world, this enormous geographical phenomenon in the Northwestern area of the United States protects remarkable natural and geothermal features as well as abundant wildlife. It is a fully living ecosystem in full colour resplendence that bubbles and explodes.
It is an experience for all your senses.
Beyond the alien landscape shooting smoke stack and high pressured geysers into the sky, Yellowstone needs to be heard. The powers of the earth working here bubble gently. Others explode like a jetliner. The rumbling resonates in your chest and at your feet. The scents of the forests and the sulfuric emissions continually remind you of the versatility of this planet. Despite the temptations of thick curdling mud pots, crystal clear ponds, and rainbow colored streams, please do resist the urge to test the waters. At more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it could the last thing you ever feel.
April made me a hilarious road kill compilation to cheer me up. I get way too sad when I see wildlife discarded as highway junk on the side of the road.
The clip is so funny I had to share with everyone 🙂
Want to see some real live wildlife encounters? Check this one out:
There’s this game that we play. It started on our very first road trip when we drove across Canada. 10,000km is a long way you see. *(We are at 20,000km across and back in the U.S!) So the way it goes is that every time you see an animal crossing sign you have to put up one of the corresponding charades signs that we made up. It’s our superstitious way of protecting ourselves (& the wildlife)- our explanation is that as long as we always do it then we eliminate the chance of a collision. It’s really just a silly game, like all the other stupid things we do when engaging on these long distance adventures and so far, it has worked like a charm.
Not for a second has it taken away from our wildlife viewing experience though. Without ever leaving the safety of our Tank, we have seen:
Elk Target, Redwood State Park, California, USA – Karina Noriega
The contest deadline has come and gone. Our submission is now being reviewed by the travel journalism experts at World Nomads. We are going up against hundreds (if not thousands) aspiring filmmakers from around the whole globe.
The pressure has now shifted to the judges and mentors who can select only a single submission for one of the best prizes out there: A chance to attend, film and share Mexico’s cultural mega-festival, Dia de los Muertos. More than a chance to travel, this is the learning opportunity of a lifetime. April and I are beyond eager to receive mentoring and feedback by seasoned travel journalists. Plus, I have not so secretly always wanted to experience this event.
Whenever I meet a travel dreamer who doesn’t think they can afford to go on their own journey, I tend to go on overly enthusiastic rants about the kinds of opportunities and unique experiences that travel can present. Sometimes it is simply about being in the right place at the right time. Mostly, I regard these opportunities as a reward for the complete openness with which I journey.
Muchas Gracias @ Casa Guatemala, Rio Dulce, Guatemala – Karina Noriega
Training to be an Elephant Mahout in Northern Thailand – Karina Noriega
Pinata 🙂 Casa Guatemala, Rio Dulce, Guatemala – Karina Noriega
April and kids, First visit to Casa Guatemala, Rio Dulce, Guatemala – Karina Noriega
Turtle habitat, Pangandaran, Java, Indonesia – Karina Noriega
Children spill out of a one room school to pose with this strange wanderer in the hills of Northern Laos – Karina Noriega
Karina's Extraordinary Life 