The Next Trip

We are in the midst of another trip planning session.  I absolutely love trip planning.  It gives me time to research somewhere beautiful and when I finally get there it seems like such a reward because it is always so much more beautiful in person than the pictures I'd imagined.  I am a type A personality and I love to be prepared.  I am a firm believer that if I am taking time to go to a new place I want to be sure to catch the best of the best while I'm there.  I am not the type of person that starts out for a place just knowing where it is on the map and relying on luck to help me find those beautiful views or awesome little known spots.
Our next trip is to Colorado.  Jon has been to Colorado several more times than I have due to his geological studies but I have only been once and that was to Steamboat to snow ski.  Speaking of Snow Skiing....I tore my ACL in January of this year while skiing.  It has been quite the annoyance, which has only been exacerbated by the upcoming hiking season.  My ortho doctor says I can do anything my knee will allow.  The bigger restriction is my husband.  He tends to restrict me more than my knee does.  I haven't had surgery yet and I'm planning on delaying it for a while.  I have several reasons, none of which are related to the fun of hiking so I'll leave them out!
Anyway, back to our trip planning.
COLORADO!!!!
I'm very excited to check out a state that my husband has raved so much about.  We started out with Colorado based on a bucket list item -  See a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater.  It just so happens that Jon's favorite band - The Avett Brothers - are going to be at Red Rocks.  The tickets were purchased before I knew it with the bribe of being able to spend a little time in Colorado seeing the sites!
I took an extra couple of days off work and we are going to have 6 days after the concert, unaccounted for to spend road tripping beautiful Colorado!
Since I have the knee issue I think we will be spending this trip with more tourist-y activities, car camping and checking out sites that we want to return to for hiking.  I especially want to find some sites to hike with our dogs.
I have been sifting through all the posts on TripAdvisor's website and starting my needs list.
I decided since our Yellowstone/Tetons trip that I need a wide angle lens for my camera.  I have been wanting one since I upgraded to a DSLR camera for family group photos but when we went to YNP I realized my current lens couldn't capture the views I'd hoped.  Don't get me wrong I have amazing pictures, that many people think I stole from various websites, but they just don't capture the grandness like I'd hoped.
I also will need to boost up my wardrobe for summer hiking/outdoor attire.  Our maiden voyage was in the fall at YNP so the weather was 50's during the day and 8-20 degrees at night.  I'm hoping Colorado in July will be a little warmer.
I do have a 30 degree Kelty sleeping bag that will serve just fine.  Jon will absolutely need a cooler bag.  He has a Zero degree Marmot Down Bag.  It was amazing for him in YNP.  He was toasty warm and almost hot a couple of nights.
Our tent is perfect.  Our sleeping pads will be perfect too!  We just need a few summer adjustments to our gear and clothing.

The best thing about planning for trips, other than finally going, is the little break from reality it gives you.  I can have a terrible day at work and hop on the computer for a few minutes, search a few fun options for our trip and my mind is instantly transported to a new place.  I guess it just takes away from the day to day and gives me hope that no matter how bad something is now, it will get better.  In just a few short months I will be in the car with my husband, listening to great music and enjoying an even better view!