Page 29 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

T hey pulled into the small RV park. The sunset with the backdrop of the mountains took Maggie’s breath away.

“I’m glad we got a spot. Looks crowded.” Maggie pulled up to the office to check in. “I’ll be right back.”

She opened the door of the cabin-themed office. It was empty except for the woman behind the counter.

“Hello. Can I help you?” The older woman smiled.

“Yes, I have a reservation for a few nights. My name is Maggie Sullivan.”

The woman clicked the keyboard of the computer and nodded. “Yes. You are here for five nights?” She looked up.

“That’s correct.” She glanced out the window at the mountains rising in the background. “Do you ever get tired of that view?”

The woman followed her gaze. A smile settled on her lips. “I don’t. And I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” She handed Maggie a slip of paper with the number of her camping spot.

“Thank you.” She headed out of the office and jumped back into the van.

“Do we have a good camping spot?” Cindy asked excitedly.

Since they had crossed into Colorado, Cindy hadn’t mentioned Tony. The second the mountains came into view, her excitement grew.

Maggie saw the real Cindy.

“It’s just up this hill and to the right. We should have a great view of the mountains.”

Cindy smiled and clapped her hands excitedly. “I can’t believe we are here. It’s like a dream come true.”

Maggie navigated the tight, curving road and turned onto the next road. Every spot had an RV or camper, and families were sitting in camping chairs and talking.

Her heart tugged in her chest at the scene. What she wouldn’t give to have a supportive family.

“I think this is our spot.” Cindy glanced back down at their paperwork and pointed.

“Let’s get parked and hooked up so we can take a walk and explore a bit.” Maggie pulled up and put the van into reverse. She carefully backed into the camping spot.

Cindy squealed and hurried out of the van. Maggie patted the passenger’s seat and Walker climbed up. She reached for his leash and attached it to him.

They got out of the van and glanced around at the small campsite. Despite the campsites being small, they had a picnic table, a pole with a hook to hang a lantern, and a swing near a firepit ring with fresh wood piled neatly.

“What can I help with?” Cindy asked.

“Nothing really. Let me get everything hooked up to electricity and water and then maybe we get an Uber into town. I heard there are elk at the park.”

Cindy frowned. “Can Walker come?”

Maggie smiled. “Absolutely. I think we can find an Uber that is dog friendly.”

She got busy getting the van set up. After making sure the electricity and water were properly in place, she pulled out her phone and ordered an Uber that allowed dogs.

She looked over at Cindy and rubbed her hands over her arms. “It’s chilly.

I’ll grab us a couple of hoodies.” She climbed in the van and grabbed her backpack.

She dug out two hoodies from the storage under the bed.

She slid one on. She slipped her journal inside the backpack and locked the van after getting out.

She held out the extra hoodie to Cindy. “Here you go. The Uber is going to meet us at the office.”

Cindy slid the hoodie over her head and pulled it into place. “Thanks. I can’t believe I’m in Colorado. It’s so beautiful.”

Maggie nodded in agreement and reached for Walker’s leash. “Let’s go. The Uber should be here in ten minutes.”

They walked past the other RVs and campers. There were not a lot of people, and Maggie suspected they were out visiting the town or the national park while the weather was nice.

There was a huge chair, about twenty feet tall. A couple of teens were giggling and taking pictures of posing on the seat. Once they were done, the girls climbed down and began taking pictures of the mountains.

“Let’s do this.” Maggie pointed to the chair. “You go first and I’ll get your picture.” She urged Cindy to climb up and sit in it while she snapped a picture.

“Okay, now your turn,” Cindy held out her hand for the phone.

Maggie handed it over and climbed up in the chair. Walker sat in front of her as Cindy took their picture.

She climbed down and looked at the picture on her phone. Maggie smiled. “Even Walker looks like he’s having the time of his life.”

Cindy nodded. “I think he is.”

They got to the office just as the Uber pulled up. Maggie opened the door and they all piled onto the back seat. Walker sat between them.

“I’m so glad you allow dogs. I didn’t want to leave Walker behind.” Maggie gave the Uber driver a grateful smile.

“Of course. Can’t let our fur babies miss out on the action in Estes Park.” He smiled as he turned onto the street. “Are you girls here on vacation or visiting family?”

Cindy shifted in her seat. “Vacation.”

The Uber driver nodded.

Maggie looked out the windshield. “I have two questions. Are there restaurants that allow dogs? And are the elk going to go after Walker?”

The driver made a right turn. “Here is a vacation guide to Estes Park.” He held out a pamphlet. “And I highlighted the restaurants that are dog friendly when you requested a ride.”

Maggie took the pamphlet and smiled. “Thank you.” She looked up at him. “And the elk?”

The driver pulled up to a park. He turned in his seat. “The elk should leave Walker alone as long as he doesn’t chase them. Just give them a wide berth and you should be okay. You have no idea how many tourists try to pet one.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “Pet one? We certainly won’t be doing that.

” She reached for the door handle and tightened her hold on Walker’s leash.

“Thanks for the ride.” She climbed out onto the sidewalk with Walker at her side.

She froze when she spotted an elk twenty feet away, laying in the middle of the grassy park watching people pass by.

“Oh my gosh.” Cindy whispered. “I’ve never seen one in real life.”

The traffic came to a stop as a second elk stepped out in the middle of the street. Maggie watched carefully as the elk took it’s time crossing the street. He paused halfway and glanced around as if wondering what all the fuss was about.

“It’s like we are living in a different world. I can’t imagine this ever happening in Mississippi,” Maggie whispered.

“Or Arkansas,” Cindy added.

Walker let out a small growl. Maggie looked down and rested her hand on his head. He looked up at her and then back toward the elk. He lifted his head in the air and inhaled.

“It’s okay, Walker. It’s just an elk. Don’t bother him and he won’t bother us.”

The hair on his back went down, and she gently tugged on the leash. “Let’s walk this way. There seems to be a lot of shops to explore.”

They spent another two hours exploring the idyllic town of Estes Park, lost in the beauty of the town.