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!