As We Meet Again: Another Stitch in a Beautiful Friendship, RMNP CO

Some people, from the very first moment you meet them, feel as if you have known them forever. They become an instant part of your life. Even though you have just met, you feel safe — you feel at home. That is what Nikki and Barb are for me.

So, of course, I feel flattered when they once again make the effort to meet me where I am. Last year, they drove from California to Arizona so we could spend time together. Later, I made changes to my travels and got the chance to visit them in their new home and community. This year, they made sure Estes Park is one of their stops on their journey.

I first met Nikki and Barb back in March 2023 at Borrego Springs, CA, during a Sisters on the Fly camping event. I still remember walking over to their trailer, the wind tugging at my hair, and introducing myself. The rest is history. We stay connected through phone calls and FaceTime, our friendship growing across the miles.

When I learn they are coming, we make sure they visit on my days off. I plan a few things to share with them — moments that let us create more memories together. First, I want to show them my little cabin and introduce them to my new friends.

There are many short trails and scenic stops in the park that do not require a long hike. One is the Alluvial Fan Trail — a short walk to a beautiful waterfall cascading down through three main flows before merging into one. The sound of rushing water greets us long before we see it. This is a waterfall you have to experience for yourself; it is too wide and alive to capture fully in a single photo.

Alluvial Fan Trail sits near the entrance to Old Fall River Road, a historic, one-way, 9-mile gravel route built between 1913 and 1920 as Rocky Mountain National Park’s first auto road into the high country. Winding through steep switchbacks into alpine tundra, it feels like traveling back in time. The air grows cooler as we climb slowly to the Alpine Visitor Center at nearly 12,000 feet, then we descend along the breathtaking Trail Ridge Road.

At the end of the drive, just before we rejoin the main road, an elk greets us — so close it almost gives Nikki a kiss through the car window. We laugh at the surprise, the kind of moment you cannot plan. The kind of shared moment that instantly becomes part of our “remember when” stories.

The traffic is slow on the winding way down, and the sound of Nikki and Barb’s brakes is sharper than usual. We roll back into Estes Park just in time to meet Diane for dinner — a joy for me, bringing together new and old friends at the same table.

Our plans to explore the park the next day change when safety comes first — new front brakes are needed before any more mountain driving.

On our last day together, the first stop is the craft center where I work. It is fantastic to show them around and share my new passion for glass fusion. Their excitement makes me even more proud of the art I’ve been creating.

From there, we head to the Chapel on the Rock, a stunning little church near Lily Lake, perfectly framed by mountains. Sunlight spills through the windows, casting warm light across the stone walls. We linger there before stopping for lunch in Lyons and then drive to Boulder to meet Ron for dinner.

Introducing my son to Nikki and Barb feels natural, like blending two parts of my life that belong together. The conversation flows easily, and there is laughter at the table. Another connection added to our friendship.

Another beautiful memory stitched into our shared story. The only question now is — where will we meet next year?