Week 7: Scorpions, State Troopers, and Sleepy Crews

You’d think by week seven we’d have settled into a “normal” RV rhythm. But nope - our dashboard mascot collection just got wilder. Hidden in the gravel, lurking in the shadows of our camper, we spotted a yellow plastic scorpion. Naturally, we adopted him. He’s now perched on the dashboard next to Leo and the spider, looking very pleased with his scenic window seat. At this point, the dash is less “Ford F-350” and more “Wild Kingdom.”

Family Invasion, Colorado Edition

This week came with a big treat - my dad and stepmom, Lynn (and their pup, Pepa), made the trek from California. Instead of cramming them into our RV (we love them, but… boundaries), they rented a cozy Airbnb nearby. Pepa quickly established herself as queen of the couch while the rest of us plotted adventures.

Red Feather Lakes – Mountain Magic

We kicked things off with a day trip to Red Feather Lakes. Nestled in the Roosevelt National Forest, this little mountain community looks like it was pulled straight out of a postcard - think mirror-still lakes, tiny cabins, and more pine trees than you can count.

We poked around a local gift shop that, fun twist, is owned by the same person who hosted Dad & Lynn’s Airbnb. Naturally, souvenirs were purchased - because how do you not support your landlord/shopkeeper combo? Across the street, we cooled down with some ice cream, which tasted even better under that crisp mountain air. Meanwhile, Dad struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler and they quickly dove into swapping car-related stories. (Some things never change!)

Surprise Seattle Drop-Ins

As if the week wasn’t full enough, Devan and Miranda flew in from Seattle for a few days to visit friends and hang with the fam. Cue the “how do we fit everyone in?” shuffle. Dad and Lynn brought Uncle Andy (Lynn’s brother) up from Longmont to join the chaos/fun.

When the big family crew gets together, one thing is guaranteed: Mexican Train Dominoes. I’m pretty sure the rules shifted depending on who was explaining them, but the laughs stayed consistent.

Golden Road Trip – Dinner and Detours

One of the week’s highlights was a caravan trip down to Golden, Colorado, home of Coors Brewing and tucked against the foothills. We met up with Cory and Nikki for dinner at Table Mountain Grill & Cantina, a cozy spot known for Southwestern flavors and dangerously good margaritas.

Nikki’s currently in Colorado State Patrol Trooper Academy in Golden, so it worked out perfectly to meet after her classes. Cory drove down from the mountains on his day off to join - because when family calls, you brave the I-70 corridor.

Of course, the road trip wasn’t smooth. Somewhere between “we’re making great time” and “is that brake smoke?” traffic ground to a halt thanks to a serious accident. We had to backtrack 30 minutes out of our way. Phones buzzed with updates to Cory, Nikki, and the restaurant: “Don’t give away our table, we’re coming, promise!” Eventually, two carloads of hungry, slightly frazzled family rolled in. The food and laughter made the detour worth it.

Estes Park Escape

No trip to northern Colorado is complete without a jaunt to Estes Park. The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s all crisp mountain air, shops selling elk jerky, and views that stop you mid-step. Dad, Lynn, Logan, Darren, and I made the trek, soaking in the scenery and resisting the urge to start souvenir T-shirt collections. But – Dad did pick up a snazzy brown Estes Park ball cap – after many, many visits to those souvenir T-shirt shops.

We also stopped at the Sensory Garden at George Hix Riverside Plaza, which turned out to be a gem. We got hands-on with the outdoor instruments (who knew a marimba jam could break out mid-tour?), while butterflies and bees flitted between the bright flowers. It was part music session, part nature show, and all kinds of peaceful.

Airbnb: The Snooze Button

After all the road trips, meals, and games, the Airbnb became the command center of strategic relaxation. Between Pepa’s snores, a few subtle naps, and the rest of us lounging on mismatched couches, it was the perfect home base. Sometimes the best memory of a trip is realizing you’ve all fallen asleep in the same room.

So, week seven gave us dashboard wildlife, family from near and far, mountain escapes, detour-filled dinners, and plenty of naps. The scorpion seems to like it here - and honestly, so do we.

Cheers!

-Chasing 78°🚐🏞️🦂🌮💜#RVlife #LovelandCO #FamilyTime #ColoradoRoadTrips #FullTimeRV #Chasing78 #Chasing78Degrees #DashboardZoo #HomeIsWhereWeParkIt