By Doris Schroeder
The thought came to both hubby and me this week “Wouldn’t it be fun to go to Colorado at least one more time sometime this summer or fall?” It took me a little time reminding him of vacations of the past when suddenly the idea caught fire and he has begun calling to Colorado in earnest as I search the inner net.
Actually we decided (if we did go) it would need to be after the fair in mid September. The reason being that we love to bring John’s garden produce and I like having my painted gourds to be judged…something we have done for years
While I was attending a sister-in-law (Frannie’s) birthday yesterday, hubby called some places around Woodland Park, Colorado. In fact, I just answered the phone to one of them just now and although they had an opening, I know the price is not what we had in mind.
We have had so many wonderful memories of Colorado cabins of the past and especially enjoyed a cabin owned by Wanda Walsh near Woodland Park. It became the epitome of all my dreams of a true vacation. During the days when we were in business, I would always look forward to our week or two of vacation, especially to Woodland Park and The Cabin. Sometimes we were so busy selling carpet, I just knew I would make it if I could last until vacation time. When any of our five grandsons came along it was like a bit of heaven and it certainly felt closer to God.
The front deck of the cabin faced Pikes Peak and at night we could watch the vehicles coming down the winding road. Some years they had a light on Pike’s Peak and it was both comforting and fun to see. We talked about how God watches out for us in all situations if we have asked Him into our life.
During the day, we hunted pinecones, river rocks and bits of wood. Then later at the cabin, we would paint or glue them together for whatever we were making. One year we even made people out of rocks by gluing them together and painting them. Sometimes we painted pictures on the river rock or made animals out of the pinecones. Often I’d take them back to give the kids in my S.S. class. We could be as creative as we wanted!
In the early morning hours or early evening God would often paint the sky in the most beautiful colors in the world. It would seem like there was His magic all around us. It made us all feel at peace and we would make up stories to write in our notebooks or simply tell them to each other.
Every morning when we woke up, since we were close to the sky, we couldn’t help but wake up in a good mood. Sometimes it would rain and later we gazed at the unique rainbows God put in the sky for us to enjoy. If we looked in the valley below us, we’d even see “the pot of gold!” Usually the different Squirrels would come around looking for peanuts on the railing of the deck. We would see Sammy, the Selfish one try to get them all for himself by hiding them in different places. Then he would forget where he put them. We tried to teach him to share with the others.
The neighbor’s large white dog would usually visit us every morning and would ask for a piece of butter bread. If the boys wanted to play he would accommodate them for awhile. When he was tired, he’d amble back to his own cabin home. There was a feeling of peace at our cabin.
Some days we would drive down the steep driveway and make our
way to the Memorial Park by a pond located in the middle of Woodland Park. We’d play on the swings, the merry-go-round and pretend we were seeing the world. We’d walk on the path surrounding the pond and pretend we saw the exciting places there are to see. Playing tennis on the courts, Ryan would hit the ball over the fence and brag about being a “power” hitter. Michael loved making roads in the sandbox. Oh, I know, I was younger then and had almost as much energy as our grandsons. I must admit, sometimes I wonder what happened…to the energy.
On other days, we would all go down the main drag to the Doughnut Mill and order different kinds of the delicious, fresh-made delicacies called doughnuts. Sometimes a local cowboy would come in and sing some western songs and the boys would ask him questions about his life as a cowboy. Other times we’d go to Grandma’s Kitchen and watch the people as we ate.
We all have loving memories of those very special vacation times at Woodland Park and especially Wanda’s Cabin. The cabin, however, was sold some years back and Wanda is now living at Westley Towers in Hutch. Our five grandsons are grown and in their life’s occupation but I’m sure each one has some wonderful memories of the Colorado Cabin as do their Grandpa and I.
As for their grandpa and grandma…we are also getting older but especially enjoy reminiscing about our old days. God has been so good to us through all the years we’ve had him in our life. We look forward to our time in heaven since we have accepted Him into our life. It would be wonderful to have a cabin like Wanda’s when we get there but then, that is beside the point. We know heaven is a wonderful place!
But please, Lord, just one more time in Woodland Park at a good price!
Doris appreciates your comments and can be reached at [email protected]
