The Pool - Cub Lake Hike

The top picture is of the Pool in the Big Thompson River. It is a pretty spot - looks inviting except the water is a bit cool! The next picture is of Cub Lake with aspens and mountains in the background - though the sun wasn't quite right for the picture. The last is of aspens on the way down the trail. It was a good hike - almost 7 miles and 1000 ft in elevation gain!

The Pool - Cub Lake Hike 1

The aspens are in full color. The first 3 pictures of of the beautiful aspens on the way up to Cub Lake via the Fern Lake Trail. The last picture is looking down on Cub Lake - a view I hadn't had before yesterday. You can see the water lilies in an almost perfect circle in the lake. Don't know why they are like that. When I have been there when the lilies are in bloom they really cover the lake. It was a great hike!

Having all kinds of trouble getting pictures on the blog so I may be done with it.

Glacier Gorge Hike

The Loch Hike

Today Scherry was off so we planned to go on our first hike. We chose The Loch. Scherry had been there earlier in the summer but I had not ever made this hike. I picked Schers up about 8:30 and we headed up to Bear Lake to start the hike. We took off about 9:15. This hike goes by Alberta Falls (my favorite place) and then really heads uphill. The weather was not being very cooperative - once we made it to the Loch it started to really rain and hail and graupel! We went past the lake thinking that you could walk all the way around it but discovered that we were on the way to Sky Pond - another lake much higher up. So with the rain and the hail we decided to turn around and head back down. The Loch is a beautiful spot - looking up at Andrews Glacier. And we were able to get some good pictures in spite - or in some cases- because of the weather. As we headed down the rain let up for a few minutes and when we got to the turn for Mills Lake we started up to it. But the rain and hail and thunder and lightening started up again so we turned around and headed down. We really made good time coming down and got to the shuttle at Glacier Gorge about 3:15. So we had made our 7 and a half mile hike in about 6 hours. Not bad for a flatlander! Of course, I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow and we have another hike scheduled! Here are some pictures of today's hike. Couldn't get one to load. Will try again later. Time to go to dinner.

Aspens along the trail looking out toward Estes Park.

The Loch, but not the best picture.

Alberta Falls and Bear Lake

Today started out a little chilly - my thermometer said 36! But there were beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine. Very welcome after yesterday's gray drippy skies all day.

I decided to hike to Alberta Falls. It is only a mile and a well used trail so I didn't mind hiking it by myself. Set off from the Bear lake parking lot about 5 til 10 and was at the falls by 10:30 - not even huffing and puffing like I did in May! It was beautiful as usual. The aspen are turning but they still have a long way to go. When I got back to Bear Lake it was still a while until Scherry got there so I took the walk around the lake which is always nice. When i finished there was Schers. Talked to her for a few minutes and then headed back to the motorhome for lunch. Hoped to watch some football - would have liked the Cowboys but ended up with the Broncos. Then Breck and I took a walk and headed into town to the grocery store. When I came out of the store the day had surely changed - by the time we got back to the motorhome we were in the midst of a big storm - rain, wind, lightening and thunder. Glad I did my hike this morning.

All for now. Here are some pictures from today. The first is of Alberta Falls and the second is of Bear Lake. Was going to do a couple more but it was SLOW and I was nervous that it would all disappear! Maybe more tomorrow.

Beautiful day in RMNP

I did this last night but the wifi connection kept messing up and I lost what I had written so ... I'll try again. Yesterday was a beautiful day - sunny and cool. Absolutely perfect. It was pretty nippy when Breck and I took our morning walk - in the low 40s! Then we headed to the dog park - he needed some exercise after being in the motorhome for 2 days. Imagine my horror - and Breck's - when we got there and it was CLOSED! There is a festival in town this weekend and the event has bled over from the fairgrounds into the dog park! We went up to Mary's Lake and Breck got to get his swim in! He was a happy dog. Then we drove around in the national park just checking things out. Came back to the motorhome and ate some lunch and then as happens a lot when we are camping Breck got to stay at the motorhome while I went up to Bear Lake to see Schers. She and I took a short mile hike to Nymph Lake. Let me tell you, lugging 25 pounds less of fat up the mountain really does make a difference. I was happy to see that! Then I let Schers get back to work, came home, sat outside for a while reading until I got cold! How great is that!! When Schers got off work we went to Smokin Dave's for dinner. Still pretty good bab-b-q! A couple of times during the night I heard rain tapping on the roof and this morning it is cold (45) and gray and drippy. Think Breck and I will spend most of the day hanging out at home. All for now.

It was 48 when I walked Breck this morning in Raton. It sure felt great. And the drive north on I-25 was uneventful until just south of Denver where I was in stop and go for about 20 minutes. I was really glad to see the wreck and get by it. This trip I went north all the way to Loveland instead of turning west at Longmont. Probably adds about 35 minutes to the trip but the drive up the Big Thompson Canyon is a much easier drive in the motor home than the drive up from Longmont.

My neighbors called today while I was on the road - my trees were planted behind my house on the golf course. Can't believe I got new trees that I won't see for weeks! They were nice enough though to send pictures so at least I have an idea of how nice they will be!

Got here about 2:30 or so and Schers was here waiting for me. She and Arietta had done some small hikes while Anndevoy did a 12 miler. So I met Arietta - she held Breck while Schers and I got the motor home all set up. Then they left to go wait for Anndevoy at Schers' house. They brought Anndevoy over when she arrived so I got to meet her too. They brought a picture of their dog that they had had to put to sleep last year - he was Breck's twin brother. It was amazing - the same black circle around the base of his tail and ther rest of his markings were very similar too - maybe a few more black spots.

Tomorrow Scherry works ao I will take Breck to the dog park - he needs to get some running and swimming in since he has been stuck in the motor home for 2 days. Then I will go up to Bear Lake to hang out with Scherry for a while. Maybe I will even get some pictures to include tomorrow.

All for now. Watching the Steelers but may have to go to bed before the game is over.

On the road again

Left Frisco about 6:30 this morning to head to Colorado for 3 weeks. Was looking forward to getting to the cool after the heat at home. Thought I would stop at my usual overnight place - Clayton, NM but it was only 2:30 Mountain Time when I got to Clayton, so I decided to head on to Raton. Got here about 4 and set up - no cable TV so I set up my satellite dish and lo and behold it worked! Of course, that just means I have to listen to Obama and hope that my camping neighbors cannot hear my obscenities!! Internet is really slow though using either the campground's connection or my aircard, so that is a touch frustrating. We had a nice thunderstorm with graupel after I got here and it is cool - in the low 60s so that is great! Supposed to be 49 here over night - how great is that. We are still having some thunder and lightening and Breck is a tad nervous! Tomorrow I only have about 5 hours to drive to get to Estes Park so it will be an easy day. Looking forward to getting there and setting up for an extended stay. All for now. Glad to be on the road again!

Alberta Falls

Today we went to my favorite place in Rocky Mountain National Park - Alberta Falls. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that Ed and I came here on our honeymoon and again on our 25th Anniversary! Besides that it is a really beautiful place! The falls were really roaring this early in the season. We ate lunch at the falls and then headed back down Scherry's lightening warning thing-a ma- jig was going off like crazy! And the skies were once again becoming very dark. We were going to go over to the Alluvial Fan but the graupel was really coming down along with the rain - it even piled up along the sides of the road and made the fields kind of white. So we ended up going to our respective homes - I watched the Rangers lose after tieing the game and cleaned house and started putting things away since I will be heading out in the morning. Back to the heat where a little graupel would really be welcome!




Alberta Falls

Our lunchroom for today and the lunchroom view!

Scherry coming across the snow on the path.

Rainy Day Hike

Today it was gray when I woke up - and even rained a bit before I got out of bed. But the rain stopped and Breck and I went to the dog park where he had a good time. Then about 11 Scherry and I headed out to hike in Mill Creek Basin. We were no sooner out of the car than there was thunder all around. So we nixed that hike. Then this afternoon about 2 there was bright sunshine so we decided to try again! Oops - we hiked about half an hour and the sprinkles started and sky was really threatening so we headed back to the car. Nothing but sprinkles BUT you just never know. So now that hike will be saved for September! On our way to the trailhead we were stopped by elk crossing the road - both times - I think they were just playing with the "stupid people" who kept having to stop! Tonight dinner at the Dunraven Inn - I have never eaten there but it is supposed to be pretty good. Pictures below of today' attempted hike.

Elk crossing the road.

Elk just taking it easy by the road.

Mill Creek

Fascinating dead tree with threatening skies behind.

Stroll in Morraine Park

Today Scherry moved into her new digs in the National Park so we were getting a late start on our hiking and decided to go to Morraine Park to walk. It is such a beautiful place with the Big Thomson River meandering though the wide open valley. Below are some pictures showing just how beautiful it is.

Our lunchroom for today - beautiful spot, comfortable rocks, and an amazin view!

Floering cacti that were all over the place.

Elk - lots of elk.

After our walk we went over to Sheep Meadow but no Big Horns today. Then we went into town for a bit of shopping and had an ice cream cone - yum. I did buy Breck a bone - buffalo bone - that he has been enjoying since I got home. Then Breck and I went to visit Schers at her new spot. All in all it was a good day. Tomorrow, we are going to do a hike that neither of us have done.

Here are the pictures from the Fern Lake trail that I couldn't post earlier. Scherry showed me an easier way to upload the pictures!

Along the trail.

Today's lunchroom was that rock!

View from the lunchroom.

An elk by the trail. Notice her tracking collar.

Drive to the top and Hike to The Pool

On Wednesday we drove up to the top on Trail Ridge Road. There was a lot of snow up there - no green grass yet - it is still winter. It was another beautiful day though - bright sunshine and clear blue skies. It was a really nice drive. We got back about one and Joan headed back to Denver - it was great ot have her come visit. Then I took Breck to the dog park for a little dog fun. When we got back Schers said that the Bighorns were at Sheep Meadow so we hurried over there and there they were. They were pretty far up the hillside but we were able to get a couple of pictures.

Joan and Scherry on top of the world

Bighorn!

Then yesterday Scherry and I headed out on the Fern Lake Trail. We did a 3 and a half mile hike to The Pool. It was a fairly easy hike so that was a good thing. It was along the Big Thompson River the whole way so it was a really nice hike. We ate lunch at The Pool and then headed back down. We had contemplated hiking farther but we were not sure we were up for a 5 mile hike the first time out!

I was going to add some more pictures but the blog site is not being cooperative. Maybe later.

Sunshine!!

This morning there is this bright object in the sky! Something we have not seen in days. And it sure does get up early up here in the mountains!

Yesterday was a good day even though it was gray! We only had a few very brief and very light showers - even a little graupel (snow pellet shower) when we were in our car on the way home from out walks.

Joan arrived yesterday about 10 or so and we visited for a while. Then went to Poppy's for lunch - good pizza. Then we drove up to Bear Lake where we walked around the lake. Some of the path still under lots of snow! Some places at least a few feet of snow! Scherry fell at one point and landed on her broken hand - hopefully no perminent damage. It was a beautiful spot and on occasion we could see Long's Peak through the clouds. Then we went down to Sprague Lake and walked around it too. Then we went through the campground and saw all of the trees that have been cleared because of the pine beetle - it was really sad to see all of campsites that had once been tucked in among the trees just out in the open with no trees at all! After our afternoon of "lake walks" we met two of Scherry's ranger friends - Chris and Susan - for dinner at Smokin Dave's! As usual it was very good. All in all - it was a good day.

Here are some pictures.

Hallet's Peak from Blue Lake

Mountains from Sprague Lake

Bridge at Sprague Lake

Rainy Day in Estes Park

Well, today was an unusual day in the mountains. It was cold and rainy all day. When Scherry and I were out this morning we saw that Angels and Demons was playing at the movie theater so we decided that today was a good movie day! The movie was good - enjoyed it. The movie theater was great - really an antique. Tapestries on the wall and the original chairs and stairs up to the stage in front of the screen. I felt like I had gone back in time!


Earlier in the day we had taken Breck to the dog park so he got to have a good time too. He just loves retrieving his "airdog" in the lake! He would do it forever!


Hopefully, the rain will quit sometime and we can do the things we had been planning to do - like hiking and seeing the National Park!

Here are some pictures from today.

Breck enjoying the view.

Breck doing his favorite thing!!

Trip to Estes Park

Left Frisco about 7:30 Saturday morning after spending Friday packing up the motorhome. Breck of course was a nervous wreck during this process. But after his normal morning walk he was "packed" into the motohme too and off we went - with Scherry following instead of leading for a change.

Last night we spent the night in Clayton, NM which is a little over half way from Frisco to Estes Park. I love having a bed that is always made - how nice to just crawl in when it is time! The motorhome is really nice.

Today we went across the northwestern edge of New Mexico - they could pay their whole state budget if they would just impose a $25 toll to use that passage from Texas to Colorado! There were hundreds of pronghorn antelope today and I even saw a fat coyote on the side of the road - the cattle saw him too - they headed in the opposite direction in a hurry!

Then up an over Raton Pass - as easy as could be. Kept the motorhome over 45 mph the whole way! We stopped at the city park in Fountain for a picnic lunch so Breck could have a nice walk! Then on to Estes Park - ran into some rain in Colorado Springs and again north of Denver but it wasn't too bad. Got inot Estes Park about 3:30 or so. Unhooked the car and set up and walked Breck and then went to Smokin' Daves for dinner with some of Scherry's friends from home. It was great.

Now I am trying to keep my eyes open until 9 - not sure I will make it. Breck has had his evening treat and we are settled in for the night! It is quite cool - almost cold - especially while looking at snow on the peaks! Debating my electric blanket...think I will just go with the quilt for tonight.

Tomorrow ... who knows - with the crowds maybe we will just take it easy. Though I feel sure Breck will get to the dog park!! Lucky dog!

This is called Travels with Breck and today he got to do something he enjoys - swimming in the pedernales river! At one point though he got more of the Pedernales than he was counting on - he jumped from below the dam into the lake and disappeared below the surface! He came up wildly looking for the way to get out! Since he was abour 5 feet from the shore he didn't have much trouble. Then we found a spot where he could walk into the river - and he even got to fetch a stick! So all in, by Breck standards, it has been a good day!

Before we went for our picnic lunch at LBJ's ranch on the Pedernales, Scherry and I drove the Willow City Loop in hopes of taking some wildflower pictures. Well, there were no flowers - until we came to a small - and I mean SMALL - patch of bluebonnets we had counted perhaps 15 individusl bluebonnets. No pictures this morning. When we drove the Loop in early May 2007 the flowers were fantastic - we had missed the bluebonnets though and were hoping to catch those this time around. No such luck.

Tonight we are having dinner with Barbara and Roger which will be fun. Here are a couple of pictures of a happy dog.

First trip in the new motorhome

Left about 9:10 this morning headed to Fredericksburg. Was really easy to hook the car up and to unhook it when I got here. I was glad to see it was so easy because I had had some trouble unhooking after bringing the motorhome home from the dealership and I was afraid that I might be cursing the new tow bar! Everything seems to work except for the propane - don't know why it is not working but it is not an absolute necessity on this trip since in this motorhome electricity will run the water heater! In my old one I would have been out of luck as far as hot water goes!

Breck seems to be adjusting well to the new space. He can sit right next to me while I am on the computer so that is an improvement for him. He is sitting with me right now.

Scherry arrives tomorrow. Ane we will hang out with Barbara one day - probably Wednesday.

All for now. Maybe pictures on another day.