Sunrise Hike

You know the this or that game? During which someone rapid fires questions at you and you’re just supposed to answer without thinking? Coffee or tea? Summer or winter? Ryan Gosling or Reynolds? I think most people have a go to response to the question sunrise or sunset. For me, sunrise is the answer every time. While I do enjoy the beauty of a sunset, I love the possibility found in every new day the sun is rising. It is the most peaceful time of day and for me personally, when I have the most energy and clarity. Most days, you can find me cozied up with a cup of coffee watching the sunrise from my deck, my favorite room at home, or sometimes if I’m really lucky, my boat. While in Colorado, my friend Brianne and I set out to do something I’d never done at sunrise, take a hike. I experienced the sun coming up at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs on August 25th, 2024. We spent several hours there, both leisurely walking along the paved paths, coffees in hand, and also exploring the more treacherous dirt terrain. Immersed in the stunning red sandstone rock formations, we had a view of the mountains as far as the eye could see in one direction, and an overlook of the city in another. We also got up close and personal with some deer, who appeared much less spooked than the Minnesota deer back home. Hiking at sunrise seemed to only amplify the experiences offered by each and every hike; the natural beauty, the connection to wildlife, the breathtaking views (to name just a few). A sunrise hike was a bucket list item that will certainly not be a one and done thing for me!