Last summer, we packed up the car in Texas and made the drive to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, with a stop at Palo Duro Canyon along the way.


Our Airbnb cabin was incredibleeee. The hosts were so kind, there was a beautiful stream just outside the back door, and it made the perfect home base for a few days. I'd absolutely stay there again if we're ever back in the area.


We spent lots of time exploring nearby Manitou Springs, browsing local shops, grabbing coffee, and trying different restaurants. It was only about a 15-minute drive from where we stayed.


We also hiked Seven Bridges Trail, spent a morning exploring Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, took a quick trip through Cave of the Winds while the guys rented dirt bikes, and ended the trip with a drive up Pikes Peak. Photographed on both digital and 35mm film, here are a few of my favorite moments from the trip.


The cabin we rented on airbnb!

 

Dramatic red rock formations tower over a winding paved path at Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs.
View through a car window of snow-capped mountains rising above a vast green meadow under a clear blue sky.
Pregnant woman in green sweater and skirt poses with toddler by rocky stream in aspen forest.
Hiker standing atop red rock formation overlooking vast mountain valley with misty peaks and green landscape below.
Close-up of lush green fir tree branches with delicate needles, perfect for Christmas and holiday nature backgrounds.
Aerial view of a winding mountain road with snow, overlooking a vast valley under dramatic cloudy skies.
A young blonde child in a colorful fleece jacket eats a snack while sitting in a restaurant booth.
A herd of wild horses grazing on a rugged hilltop with scenic canyon views and green trees under a cloudy sky.
Happy family with two toddlers posing at Garden of the Gods with red rocks and mountains backdrop.
Young boy in orange beanie and black sweatshirt poses on red rock trail at Garden of the Gods, Colorado.
Close-up of tall jagged red sandstone rock spires reaching into overcast sky at Garden of the Gods.
Panoramic landscape view of vast African savanna with distant volcanic mountains under a hazy blue sky.
Red and orange layered sedimentary rock formations with sparse vegetation under overcast skies in an arid canyon landscape.
Two children in colorful winter jackets explore a red rock canyon slot cave during an outdoor hiking adventure.
Two people stand arm-in-arm at a fenced overlook admiring vast canyon views under a cloudy sky.
Couple standing at overlook admiring red rock canyon landscape under cloudy skies.
A pregnant woman in a green dress stands with a smiling blonde boy holding a stick in a forest.
A woman and young child in an orange hat walk hand-in-hand on a paved path near red rock formations.
Smiling couple in winter hats pose at a mountain overlook with dramatic cloudy skies behind them.
A hiker wearing a colorful knit beanie and red jacket with backpack stands against a mountain forest backdrop.
Seven Bridges Trail #622 brown wooden sign in a forested hiking area.
Smiling woman in winter hat holding a baby in white jacket inside modern building.
Curved road passing between towering red sandstone rock formations under cloudy skies in Garden of the Gods, Colorado.
Smiling man wearing a cap carries a happy baby in a backpack carrier on a wooden cabin porch.
Snow-capped Pikes Peak mountain summit visible through tall evergreen pine trees under a blue sky.
Couple posing with arms outstretched at Garden of the Gods overlook with stunning Colorado mountain views.
A young child explores rocky terrain in a forest, wearing a striped sweater and blue shorts near birch trees.
Woman in blue jacket photographs a blooming pink magnolia tree beside an iron fence in spring.
Dramatic red rock formations at Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs with cloudy sky and green trees.
Group of hikers walking along a paved trail at a red rock canyon park on a cloudy day.
An adult lifts a young child onto a red rock formation at Garden of the Gods under an overcast sky.
Aerial view of winding Pikes Peak Highway switchback road with snow-dusted Rocky Mountain landscape below.
Smiling couple in winter jackets poses before towering red rock formations at Garden of the Gods park.
Cozy mountain cabin living room with vaulted wood ceiling, skylights, and large windows overlooking pine forest.
Rustic log cabins nestled among pine trees and large boulders in a scenic Colorado mountain landscape.
Visitors browse an information display in a modern visitor center with large windows and wood-paneled ceiling.
A hiker stands on rugged rocky cliffs surrounded by pine trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A young family with two small children poses on a trail surrounded by red rock formations at Garden of the Gods.
Couple holds hands on paved path with stunning red sandstone spires at Garden of the Gods, Colorado.
Smiling hiker carries baby in backpack carrier while holding camera near red rock formations outdoors.
Rustic log cabin with wooden deck and chimney nestled among pine trees and boulders.
Pregnant woman in green dress stands outdoors with smiling toddler boy holding stick near rocky stream.
Four dirt bike riders posing with motorcycles on a sandy trail surrounded by pine trees and cloudy sky.
A smiling man in a red hoodie and teal shorts stands on a rocky trail surrounded by tall pine trees in a misty forest.