This past week, while on vacation in Colorado, my family and I visited 12 Mile Stables in Aurora, Colorado, and for the first time went horseback riding! We enjoyed wonderful scenery and got to spend quality time in a safe, exciting and new way.

We are a pretty adventurous bunch, and after my dad moved to Denver this past summer, we’ve been checking items off our bucket list each time we visit. Having been our first time horseback, I was admittedly a little nervous, but once I got up close to my horse, Wilma, I quickly realized there was nothing to be afraid of and horses are some of the kindest animals out there.

Our one-hour tour was perfectly timed with the Aurora sunset, which made for magnificent views, photos and a sense of peace amid all of the uncertainty in the world. The mountains on the horizon were topped with snow and covered in pink and orange emanating from the setting sun.

Our tour guides, both humans and horses, were great! They told me Wilma was a stubborn horse and usually liked to stray out of line and do her own thing — we were a perfect match, to say the least. After finally getting the hang of things, our tour came to an end just as the temperature dropped, and we returned to the stable. It was a wonderful experience leaving me excited for next time. The restrictions and regulations forced us to get creative in our way of celebrating the upcoming holiday season, and for that I am grateful. Cheers to new things and celebrating, wherever you are.

— Haley Fogarty, account executive