Darla Graff

Did you forget your sunscreen?? Now, seven of Colorado's State Parks now have free sunscreen stations! It's a collaboration between Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Colorado Department for Public Health and Environment, and and the non-profit organization IMPACT Melanoma. Sunscreen is a must at any altitude in sunny Colorado. It is believed that using sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, avoiding sun exposure, when possible, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wearing sun-protecting clothing can reduce the risk of skin cancer. . . . . . #protect #sunblock #sunscreenstation #spf #sunprotection #nowrinkles #nosunburn #saveyourskin #coparkspassport #coloradostateparks #visityourstateparks #stateparkpassport #costateparkspass #coloradohikes #coloradohiking #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hikemoreworryless

I overslept and didn't want to run into full parking lots at popular trailheads, so I headed to the Audubon Center at the south tip of Chatfield State Park. In addition to excellent birdwatching, the trails meander along the South Platte River and several ponds. . . . . . #audubonbirdsanctuary #auduboncenter #auduboncenteratchatfield #chatfieldstatepark #littletoncolorado #littleton #coloradohikes #coloradohiking #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hikemoreworryless #getoutside #allinadayswalk #onmywalk #onmywalk

The ruins of "Walker's Castle" on a cloudy day. Self-made millionaire John Brisben Walker built a 10-bedroom home here in 1909. After lightning struck and destroyed the mansion in 1918, Walker's fortunes had turned and he left the area. Now within Mount Falcon Park, the Castle ruins are easily accessible by following signs from the Castle Trail. . . . . #mountfalcon #mtfalconpark #castletrail #morrisoncolorado #walkerscastleruins #walkerscastle #visitmorrison #jeffcoopenspace #jeffcotrails #jeffersoncountyopenspace #jcos #hiking #openspace #goexplore #allinadayswalk #bestwaytostarttheday #viewcolorado #coloradotrails

Denver's Red Rocks Park, as seen from the Turkey Trot Trail in the adjacent Mount Falcon Park. . . . . . #mountfalcon #turkeytrottrail #castletrail #redrocks #morrisoncolorado #visitmorrison #mtfalconpark #jeffcoopenspace #jeffcotrails #jeffersoncountyopenspace #jcos #openspace #getoutside #goexplore #allinadayswalk #bestwaytostarttheday #viewcolorado #lovelivingincolorado #coloradotrails

Summer on the High Line Canal Trail. . . . . . #suburbanhiking #walking #getoutside #onmywalk #goexplore #stayandwander #coloradotrails #coloradoactivities #stayactive #viewcolorado #lovelivingincolorado #coloradotrails @highlinecanal #highlinecanal #highlinecanaltrail #71miles

Happy Colorado Day! Today, Colorado turns 148 years old! At the same time, I recognize that indigenous people such as the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute have lived here for much, much longer. Grateful to call Colorado home! Photo of Platte Canyon Reservoir as seen from the High Line Canal Trail. . . . . . #coloradoday #southplatteriver #platteriver #highlinecanaltrail #plattecanyonreservoir #suburbanhiking #getoutside #exploremore #onmywalk #goexplore #stayandwander #coloradotrails

Hiking in Castlewood Canyon State Park: Dam ruins and the newish bridge for hikers across Cherry Creek (no bikes allowed in this park).

The Fairmount Canal Trail is an out-and-back trail between Golden and Arvada. I started it at the south end, parking at the Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex, just east of North Table Mountain. The trail ends at the far edge of Long Lake Regional Park. This flat, easy, sunny hike, including a loop around Long Lake Park, was about 8 miles (12.8 km). . . . . . #fairmountcanaltrail #northtablemountain #goodtobegolden #visitgolden #arvadaco #longlakeregionalpark #northtablemountain #walking #hiking #openspace #visitgolden #getoutside #colorado #visitcolorado #goexplore #allinadayswalk #bestwaytostarttheday #viewcolorado #lovelivingincolorado #coloradotrails #tonygrampsaspark #longlan

Back in June, I took a walk up Waterton Canyon, (6.2 miles, 10k one way) and I was treated to the sight of water spilling over the top of Strontia Springs dam. This is is the first time it's happened in 5 years! And it's the result of a lot of snow and rain over the last two years. The water is dropping into the South Platte River about 290 feet below the top of the dam. It was spectacular! Have you ever seen this happen? . . . . . #watertoncanyoncolorado #strontiaspringsdam #strontiasprings #watertoncanyon #watertoncanyontrail #watertoncanyonhike #coloradotrail #denverwater #jeffersoncounty #southplatteriver #platteriver #highlinecanaltrail

Lion's Head granite outcrop in Staunton State Park, as seen from the Marmot Passage Trail. . . . . #StauntonStatePark #Lionshead #HikingAdventures #weekendhike #coparkspassport #coloradostateparks #stateparkpassport #cpw #coloradohikes #coloradohiking #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hikemoreworryless #getoutside #elkfallspond #hikerlife #hikinglife #dayhike

Back in Colorado, I'm back to hiking. And Staunton State Park was calling my name! Elk Falls Pond is a beauty (who doesn't love a picturesque mountain pond?). Get there from the Bugling Elk or Marmot Passage trails while enjoying pine forests, stunning views, and crisp mountain air. Have you been to Staunton? . . . . . #StauntonStatePark #ElkFallsPond #HikingAdventures #weekendhike #coparkspassport #coloradostateparks #stateparkpassport #cpw #coloradohikes #coloradohiking #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hikemoreworryless #getoutside #elkfallspond #hikerlife #hikinglife #dayhike

I had a fantastic time exploring the Shipshewana area, and I recommend a visit without hesitation. Have you been to Shipshewana? . . . . . #MWTravel #VisitShipshewana #MWTravelcon24 #streetart #mural #smalltownexplorer #amishcountry #amishculture #americana

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail-a scenic 17-mile biking and walking trail connecting Shipshewana, Middlebury, and Goshen in LaGrange County, Indiana. The trail boasts multiple parking areas, some with restrooms, shady areas, views of the countryside and Amish farms. It's open from sunrise to sunset. #MWTravel #VisitShipshewana #MWTravelcon24 #pumpkinvinenaturetrail #pumpkinvinetrail #getoutside #onmyhike #idhikethat #indianatrails

The Midwest Travel Network had us groovin’ to the timeless hits of the Bee Gees at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, Indiana! 🎶✨ The Bee Gees Gold tribute band nailed every note and had the crowd dancing all night long. . . . . . #MWTravel #VisitShipshewana #MWTravelcon24 #BeeGeesTribute #BlueGateTheatre #Shipshewana #StayinAlive