Vanlife in Colorado | Saying Goodbye, Summit County, and Early Season Snowboarding
Some weeks on the road are all about adventure. Others hit a little deeper.
This part of our Colorado road trip was a mix of both. After weeks of traveling with Coco, our tiny road trip companion, it was time to say goodbye. From Denver to Summit County, this week blended real life moments with everything we love about vanlife. Early mornings, mountain air, trail running, and the first turns of the season.
Saying Goodbye in Denver
We started the week in Denver with one last walk with Coco.
After weeks of traveling together through mountains, campsites, and long road days, she had become such a big part of our routine. We took her around the city, soaking up the fall colors and making the most of our final moments together before heading to the airport.
Dropping her off at DIA was harder than we expected.
The van felt noticeably quieter afterward. It is funny how quickly a small dog can take over your entire world. Saying goodbye was a reminder of how meaningful even short stretches of travel can be when you share them with the right companions.
Heading Back to the Mountains
After leaving Denver, we headed straight back into the mountains.
There is something about getting back to elevation that resets everything. The air feels different, the pace slows down, and it is easier to settle back into the rhythm of life on the road.
We made our way up to Summit County, ready to shift gears and get back into adventure mode.
Trail Running at Loveland Pass
One of the highlights of the week was a trail run up Loveland Pass.
At over 13,000 feet, this is not your average run. The elevation alone makes it a challenge, but the views make every step worth it.
Wide open ridgelines, snow starting to settle on the peaks, and that crisp Colorado air that reminds you winter is just around the corner.
It was the kind of run that pushes you physically while also making you stop and take in where you are.
Early Season Snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin
With winter starting to show up, we could not pass up the chance to get back on snow.
Arapahoe Basin had opened for the season, and we made our way up for some early season laps. It did not matter that conditions were still building. Just being back on the mountain felt right.
Carving turns with fresh snow on the peaks around us was the perfect reminder that a new season was beginning.
Settling Back into Vanlife
In between the bigger moments, we settled back into the day to day side of vanlife.
Working from inside the van as the sun came up over frost covered mountains
Cooking breakfast burritos and taking things slow in the mornings
Finding quiet places to park and reset
Watching sunsets that somehow kept getting better every night
This is the part of vanlife that often gets overlooked, but it is what makes everything else possible.
Training for What’s Next
We also spent time getting Jamie ready for her upcoming half marathon in Moab.
That meant finding the balance between pushing hard and recovering well. Mixing trail runs, rest days, and time to reset while still moving forward with the trip.
It is one of the things we have come to appreciate most about life on the road. You can train, work, and explore all at the same time.
Why Weeks Like This Matter
Not every week is packed with nonstop movement or major destinations.
Sometimes the most meaningful parts of a trip come from the transitions. Saying goodbye, slowing down, and resetting before the next stretch.
This week had all of that.
Early mornings
Big mountain views
Quiet moments in the van
Trail runs that pushed us
First turns of the season
It is everything we love about this lifestyle, just in a slightly different form.
Final Thoughts
This week was a reminder that vanlife is not just about the places you go.
It is about the people and moments you experience along the way. It is about finding balance between adventure and everyday life. And sometimes, it is about learning how to say goodbye and keep moving forward.
From Denver to Summit County, this stretch of the trip brought a little bit of everything. And it set the tone perfectly for what is coming next.
Watch the Full Episode
Check out the full Detour Diaries episode to follow along with this week, from saying goodbye in Denver to trail running and early season snowboarding in the mountains.
