What a journey 2021 has been. I’ve seen places in Colorado that were more beautiful than the next. I’ve bumped into a few of you in random places, you’ve met a couple of my traveling companions, and I’ve gone from weekly to two columns per month. I’ve also taken well-worthy risks. Now what? Well, before we get to what’s next, let us go down memory lane.

Being challenged with the beauty of our state, I could not decide which memories were more suitable to recap than others. I spent a few moments scrolling through all of the photos I have taken this year. The grand sum was over 3,450 photos. Initially, I thought that was a large number. When I considered how stunning and magical our Centennial State truly is, I decided that I did not take enough photos after all.

What made me come to this sassy conclusion? Look around you. Living in Colorado makes it easy to take over 3,000 photos, but I think I could use a few more. In case you haven’t figured it out, I am in love with the Rocky Mountains. In my humble opinion, there is nothing that comes remotely close to the magic and power of Colorado.

At the beginning of the year, I spent quite some time in south Colorado. I managed to check off a few places from my bucket list, including Buena Vista, Del Norte, Creede, South Fork, Wolf Creek Pass, Treasure Falls, Pagosa Springs, Lake City, Silver Thread Scenic Byway, Slumgullion Pass, Curecanti Recreational Area, Monarch Pass, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and the towns of Cimarron and Gunnison.

Following my southern explorations were the mountain destinations of Glen Echo, Vail, Lyons, Estes Park, Evergreen, Leadville, Elizabeth, Redstone, Elbert, and Fairplay, where we’ve discovered some of the best locations to enjoy food and drinks: the Silver Dollar Saloon, Keys on the Green, Oskar Blues, Tommy Knockers, Lariat Lodge Brewery, Cool Beans Coffee Shop, Spirit Hound Distillers, The Very Nice Brewing Company, and bivouac to name a few.

We’ve shared roughly eight hikes and even explored things and places outside of my comfort zone. The Evergreen Rodeo in July was a first for me. We’ve even spent some time talking about the legendary John Denver and reminisced about the long-lived Autumn season.

After reminiscing about my adventures, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. Not only because I get to write about it, but if it were not for you, my loyal readers, I would not have my job at The Mountain- Ear, which I love so much. For this, I wish to thank you.

I always pretend that my columns are merely part of a long discussion I have with you. A one-sided conversation, but a conversation nonetheless. Perhaps, 2022 will offer us the opportunity to engage in an interactive word exchange about our colorful home. Until then, I hope that your New Year’s resolution includes discovering the greatest state in the world: Colorado.