Trails and Chores in Winter Park Colorado : Happy RV Nomad

Hi! I’m Allie and I sold everything in 2020 to live solo in my RV full time. Traveling the United States, I camp mostly in public lands for free as I hike, bike and seek out quiet spots in nature.

June 21, 2022 Winter Park, Colorado

I love stopping over in Winter Park, Colorado where I stay at the Winter Park Ski Resort Lot G for a few days.

It’s not necessarily the prettiest camp sites since it is a dirt parking lot for the ski resort but people are allowed to stay here to camp for 7 days during off ski season. Usually the people camping here are headed to Trestle Bike Park across the street where one can downhill mountain bike. It’s become rather popular of the years.

From the parking lot where I stay I can access the Jim Creek trail, the ski resort village (where I can find more hiking and pretty good food), and just a little ways further down I can ride the Fraser River trail that heads into the town of Winter Park. There is also a free shuttle in the area for transportation yet I haven’t used it yet but plan to for future visits.

I love Winter Park! It’s hike and bike friendly and that says it all for me. I can also get my laundry done, get groceries at Safeway and even dump my tanks in nearby Granby, Colorado.

Winter Park has become one of my favorite stops for it’s beauty and convenience.

Chores Day at Winter Park

I generally take one day during my stay to take Minnie Rambles in to town to get errands done.

Everything I need is pretty close – dump, laundry, groceries and even cute bakeries to get yummy snacks!

As you cruise through town you’re greeted by a rather dapper large moose statue. I’ve noticed every time I come to Winter Park he’s dressed in various garb for the season, holidays or local event. This time he was very patriotic. I arrived between Memorial Day and Fourth of July so that must be the reason for the red, white and blue.

It takes me about 3-4 hours to get all my chores done and sometimes I leave town for a new cool destination or I just go back to camp.

Riding My New Mountain Bike in Winter Park

I’ve been a few times to Winter Park each summer I’ve been on the road in Minnie Rambles (my RV) but this time I have my new mountain bike! No, I don’t downhill ride but I was excited to explore trails in town for some mountain bike fun!

Catch up by reading about Allie getting her new mountain bike!

I was still new at riding my mountain bike, a type of bike I had never ridden before, so there was some adjusting to do.

First, my butt hurt from the mostly lack of cushioning on seat. Then I started to feel the aches in my shoulder and neck regions. And finally my lower to middle back was beginning to ache as well as I added miles to my rides.

Doing a little research I found out these are normal aches (no pain) for new mountain bike riders. The bottom line is I need to strengthen my neck, shoulders and core. So I decided to ride every day I could and keep adding mileage each time. It works.

I’m happy to have started a new hobby and can work a little each day to increase my endurance and strength!

What have you done lately that you are happy you did?

It could be something simple like I walked an extra 1/4 mile or I actually folded the laundry this time (I was a mom of small children, this is a huge deal) or kept a smile on my face even after that jerk cut me off.

Any little (or big) accomplishment will do.

Take 3 minutes to be proud of yourself for being aware of the joys in life and being part of the bigger happiness picture.

Thank You for Stopping By!

I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!