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Pandemic Vacation: Camping in Colorado

By Jaylenn Holmes, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, School Buzz Reporter | September 11, 2020

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Jaylenn Holmes, enjoying fresh air and beautiful scenery at Rocky Mountain National Park. (Photo courtesy of Jaylenn Holmes)

My family looks forward to summer break every year. That is the only period where we can get away and destress from the everyday routine.

After our trip to London was canceled due to COVID, along with the travel ban to Europe, my mother and I were looking for appropriate COVID vacations to social distance and put us in some isolation. I felt my sanity going from being imprisoned in my house since Spring Break. It was also hard being alone when my mom was spending most nights in the COVID ICU wing at the hospital.

I needed some fresh air, and most of all, I wanted my mother to myself without sharing her with everyone at the hospital. I do not want to feel selfish; it was beginning to feel like it was too much.

Estes Park, Colorado. (Photo courtesy of Jaylenn Holmes)

One thing I learned about my family during the pandemic is our love for the fresh outdoors. We are not camping people but felt the only vacation we could take was one of isolation out in the woods. We booked a last-minute trip to experience Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. It was so relaxing and beautiful.

There were still ice glaciers up in the mountains in July with elk running around curiously invading our campsite. There was no distraction of the internet or phones; we felt in total peace. I feel like my family could connect; we would have never taken this camping trip because we are not those who like the woods, nature, and hiking. Now we cannot wait to explore more National Parks and feel a little silly for never giving this a try.

A storybook view from Rocky Mountain National Park. (Photo courtesy of Jaylenn Holmes)

If you are looking for a family-friendly vacation to take and are looking to keep your family safe from the dangers of COVID-19, I would consider looking into a national or state park. Do not dismiss an idea that you would never consider trying until you allow yourself to experience that adventure.

I am looking forward to starting my senior year of high school and will always be thankful we could take a family vacation in the summer of 2020 during a pandemic.