Ralie and Miriam Deffenbaugh retired to Estes Park, Colorado, but the couple can’t stop moving.
“I knew for sure that we would be in a beautiful setting and was looking forward to that,” says Ralie, 72. “What I didn’t expect really, and have been pleasantly surprised about, is how much is going on here in this little town.”
Miriam adds, “There’s a lot of stuff to plug into.”
Rounding Lake Estes on a walk, just down the street from their twin home at Good Samaritan Society – Estes Park Village, the two love the path their lives are on.
“I have begun to say, I never thought I’d be able to live in a place like this. And I mean that,” Miriam says.
“I’m happy here.”
‘So attractive for retirees’
Skeptical at first about her new surroundings, Miriam is turning the page after moving back to Colorado from Geneva, Switzerland.
“I don’t do change well,” Miriam jokes, laughing. “And lo and behold the next year, which is the one we just finished, I said, ‘OK, it’s time for me to volunteer at the library.’
“That was my profession, and I missed being around the library.”
In the heart of a picturesque downtown, the 74-year-old books volunteer outings at the local library once a week.
“That’s one of the big, big draws for me,” Miriam says. “We try and get as much as we can shelve back on the shelves before Monday and the new week starts.”
The library serves roughly 12,000 year-round residents in the Estes Park area.
When they’re not relaxing at their house with a view, conveniently located a short walk from their church, the Deffenbaughs are taking in all they can.
“We always liked Colorado and liked the mountains and especially Rocky Mountain National Park,” Ralie says about the park a few miles from their home.
“But also there’s a lot of cultural stuff going on here, really good musical programs.”
Ralie adds, “The twin home here is very comfortable. It’s got all the space that we need, and we like being able to lock the door and just go away on a trip.”
‘Tremendous team here’
Ralie appreciates Estes Park being just 90 minutes from the Denver airport. It’s even closer to the national park trails he tackles twice a week.
“The beauty of being out in nature and having physical activity – it’s one of the things I enjoy doing is hiking and walking,” Ralie says. “I’ve found that the community is really very healthy and generous here.”
Melding with their neighbors and mixing with Society staff can make things even sweeter.
“Oh, the staff is great,” Miriam says.
Ralie says, “There’s a tremendous team here at the Good Sam Estes Park Village.”
Attending an afternoon chef talk focused on chocolate in the dining room, the Deffenbaughs are chock full of gratitude.
“And then of course there’s the chef, Max Humbrecht, who is stupendous,” Ralie says. “It’s almost like each lunch we go to is a gourmet meal.
“It’s not hard at all to live here.”
Learn more
- Active resident enjoys ‘the village life’ in Nebraska
- Reasons to try respite care at the Good Samaritan Society
- How to stay independent as you age
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Posted In Community, Senior Services
