To paraphrase John Denver, Come home to a place you’ve never been. That’s exactly what taking that first step on the trail into the Rocky Mountains feels like. It’s hard to translate into words the serenity and the vast beauty of these mountains with more than sixty of them peaking at over 12,000 feet.  350 miles of trails meander through the park’s quarter million acres, plenty of space to wander and get lost in your own thoughts.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.-Anne Frank

 

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that your have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you. -Chrisian Larson

“Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams, seeking grace in every step he takes.” John Denver

Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile… initially scared me to death. –Betty Bender

I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other.
Rainer Maria Rilke

Traveling alone especially in the wilderness can sometimes get lonely, making you grateful for the everyday, often overlooked sounds, like the laughter of children.

• Only with absolute fearlessness can we slay the dragons of mediocrity that invade our gardens.
• –John Maynard Keynes

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

–Marianne Williamson

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened; vision cleared; ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Helen Keller

“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” Louisa may Alcott

“His sights turned inside himself to try and understand the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake.” John Denver

The fear of death follows from the fear of life.  A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.  ~Mark Twain

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

“People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.” Ramona Anderson

Along the way, little visitors appear to keep you company or more than likely hoping to share a snack.Working Llamas heading for the trails.

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life, but there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way, so treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination… 

– Alfred Souza