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Wish Stories

Jan Takes a Road Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park

Two older women stand in front of a fence with mountains in the background.

For Jan, that moment when the Colorado mountains would first appear on the horizon filled her with excitement. As a girl growing up in the western plains of Iowa, when her family drove west for their annual camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, this view represented everything she loved.

Hiking alongside her father, mother, and younger sister, Jan’s deep connection to nature was fueled by Colorado’s wildflowers, mountain streams, and abundant wildlife. “There is something about being in the mountains,” Jan said. “For me, it’s part of my heart.”

An older woman stands along a fence with mountains in the background.
A large tree branch lays in a field near the mountains.

Though Jan continued to travel to the Colorado mountains as an adult, her busy life in Iowa made it more difficult to visit as the years progressed. Memories of time spent in nature inspired her to write poetry, even when she couldn’t be near it. Jan built a career as a Registered Nurse, raised a family, and went through a divorce—all while her close connection to nature endured.

Later in life, Jan married Susan, who has now been in her life for 20 years. Together, Jan and Susan are active in their church and lead a variety of spiritual groups. They organize events in their city and volunteer with the LGBTQ community, including chaperoning an LGBTQ prom. It is common for folks to contact Jan for mentorship and advice.

A woman stands outdoors next to a woman in a wheelchair
Sunflowers grow outdoors near the mountains.

Health changes and challenges

Jan continued to work as a nurse until about five years ago, when she started to experience shortness of breath. Doctors discovered she had heart problems and performed surgery to add stints to three arteries. The surgery was successful, but Jan’s active lifestyle began to change. She struggled to keep her balance and began using a walker or cane to assist her.

“I was always physically active. I am discouraged by not being able to do the things I used to do,” Jan explained.

Perhaps the biggest discouragement was that Jan didn’t think she’d be able to travel to the mountains of Colorado again. “I’ve hiked many trails there so it makes me sad that I might not be able to hike,” Jan said. “It left a hole—I really wanted to go again.”

An older woman gazes out on a horizon with mountains.
Two older women hold hands.

A wish to get back to Colorado

After learning that Rocky Mountain National Park had accessible trails to accommodate mobility needs, Wish of a Lifetime was honored to send Jan back to the place that held so many cherished memories for her. Prior to her wish being granted, more than 30 years had passed since she’d been able to travel back to Rocky Mountain National Park—and never had she and Susan experienced it together.

Jan and Susan drove to Colorado, which allowed them to visit Susan’s great-grandchildren and other friends along the route. They ate lunch outdoors in Boulder with a view of the mountains, journeyed to the mountain town of Estes Park, then explored the vast scenery that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer, with help from Adventure Scenic Tours of Colorado.

Two older women pose in front of the mountains at sunset.
Mountains sit behind an open field.

“I’ve only passed through Boulder, but I didn’t remember it being so beautiful,” Jan recalled. “I hadn’t seen an elk since the last time we were in Rocky Mountain National Park.”

After 20 years of hearing Jan describe Rocky Mountain National Park, Susan loved being able to experience the place that had meant so much to Jan before they met.

“It snowed and sleeted and rained all at the same moment! 32 degrees up at the top!” Susan exclaimed. “It was so wonderful. We came home and said, ‘Were we really there?’ It was like a dream, because we only dreamed that we would be able to return.”

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Two women look out at the mountains.

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