It's Fun to Stay at the ...

9/11/2015

For nearly 2 weeks, I've been settling into the Y of the Rockies. This is not like any "Y" that I've ever seen; in fact, they don't have a fitness center. It's a small village surrounded on three sides by the Rocky Mountain National Park. We have our own post office, library and museum, and you can do nearly any indoor or outdoor activity imaginable. Deer, elk, and yes, bears roam freely in this area!

I found this volunteer opportunity online, and will be here for 6 weeks working as a "Craft & Design Instructor" in exchange for full room & board (a private room!), wifi, all activities, and a community of very nice people. My schedule is a grueling three, 8-hour days then 4 days to play. If winter weren't on its way, I'd definitely stay longer!

I've already biked, hiked, and visited the Park but I'll save those photos & stories for next week!

17 Comments

Anne-Marie

9/11/2015 10:31:17 am

What??!!!??? Live Elk Lawn Ornaments and Tie-Dye Shirts??? And among the snow-peaked Rockies---Doing the "Time Warp" for sure, but with Wi-Fi benefit. So, who attends the Y classes? Locals or Tourists? Does the fitness integrate the outdoor surroundings? Love the sculpture---

Judy

9/13/2015 09:12:11 pm

AMG: Tough to describe this place; it's a lodging, conference center, outdoor activity center. You can do archery, mini-golf, hikes, art, roller skate, you name it. Groups come, weddings, families who have been here for multiple generations. I can hike into the RMNP from my door.

Donna

9/11/2015 09:13:05 pm

Looks like you've become a tie dye expert! Wow never heard of a Y that offers crafts like these- I love it. And love the elk hanging out on the lawn - really? Only Grillo would fall into this opportunity 😊

Judy

9/13/2015 09:14:24 pm

Donna ... just heard my first elk "bugling" loudly as I sit hear catching up on email, etc! Really loving the setting here. Wish I were a tie-dye expert! Had help! I "assist" in multiple areas but it's really just being human! Didn't just "fall into it" though --- hour long app, 3 references, phone interview, fingerprinting! and I'm a volunteer! j.

Eileen

9/12/2015 10:13:00 am

Loved the bronze sculpture, you in the tie dye- Priceless!

Judy

9/13/2015 09:14:58 pm

Life coming full circle.

Barb

9/12/2015 06:37:45 pm

I want to say at this Y bc it sounds like a craft hotel. Do they allow you to stay for longer than two weeks?

Judy

9/13/2015 09:16:33 pm

Barb,
Do you mean stay as a guest for more than 2 weeks? I'm here for 6 weeks as a volunteer; minimum is one month. I've met people who have been coming for 10 years!

Claudette

9/13/2015 06:40:51 pm

Wow! Totally different than any other "Y" that I've ever heard of. Looks like fun. Who are they selling all those tie-die shirts to?

Judy

9/13/2015 09:17:59 pm

Claudette, Hundreds of guests daily; in summer they hire over 600 seasonal people to work/volunteer. Limitless activities going on day & night!

Anne-Marie

9/16/2015 11:07:24 am

Thought of you and your present environment as I was strolling through vendors' section at Narrows Festival of Music/Arts. Very retro crafts of handmade soaps, candles, recycled wine bottles (chimes, bird feeders, lamps), and TERRARIUMS as biggest seller! No tie-dye booths though many attendees sported them!

Judy

9/16/2015 10:24:24 pm

Are we finally returning to the basics? Start collecting driftwood, I'll sell arrangements for Xmas!

Donna

9/20/2015 07:42:03 am

Male a few sandcastle candles too while you're at it- what's old is new again!

judy

9/20/2015 09:43:16 am

Donna...totally forgot about those! Do you remember how to make them? Could be my next career :)

Karen

9/23/2015 09:52:14 am

Love this! Just getting to catch up on your blog. If this were in a warmer climate, I could see you making yourself right at home here for a good long time! :)

Kathy

9/27/2015 01:06:47 am

Just loving all these posts from Rocky Mountain National Park. It's so beautiful. Keep 'em coming, Judy!

Judy

9/27/2015 11:54:47 am

Hey ...so happy to see you here! The setting is amazing & the weather has held out for fall w/no signs of winter! Heading out to hike today & tomorrow, a visit to Boulder. Stay tuned!

It's Fun to Stay at the ...

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