Autumn is arriving in Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. The aspen leaves are changing to their golden color, and I heard my first bull elk bugling this weekend which signals the beginning of the elk rut. Soon the leaf peepers and the tailgaters of the elk rut will be coming, and then the park becomes very busy. September typically has the largest count of visitors.
Here's the short story of the month of August:
- Karen and James came for a long weekend. Their first stop was to visit good friends, Sarah & Brad, and Abby & John in the northern Denver area. I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Sarah and Brad, and be introduced to Kit, their dog. Our next adventure was a New Belgium Brewery tour in Fort Collins. It was a fabulous tour (James said it was his BEST ever) and we indulged in great food truck delights at the end. We walked around in Old Town Fort Collins, sampling Mary's Mountain Cookies (which we bake @ 12,000 feet, and sell @ Trail Ridge Store) and hard cider @ Scrumpy's. Karen gave us a tour of CSU, where she spent the summer of 2012. During a trip up Big Thompson Canyon from Loveland, I was lamenting that I hadn't seen any bighorn sheep yet this summer, and suddenly we came upon ten ewes and lambs. Quite a sight! A hike around Lily Lake completed the early evening before having my friend, Nancy, join us for pizza.
- On Saturday, we awoke early and made the trek up Old Fall River Road, a gravel, one-way nine-mile twisting road built in the 1920s by convicts, and shared memories @ Chasm Falls where James proposed to Karen two plus years ago. Mule deer and marmots greeted us along the way. We then traversed the park and soaked @ Hot Sulphur Springs. A picnic was enjoyed @ Shadow Mountain Lake, and a stop @ my Trail Ridge Store and Cafe was mandatory. But the HIGHLIGHT of the day was our hike @ Bear Lake where we encountered a 12-point bull elk blocking the trail. We absorbed his beauty for quite some time, and then he BUGLED! That was a special event for James as he had never heard it before. Then another bugle, and two cow elk SWAM towards him. I HAD NEVER SEEN ELK SWIM BEFORE, so that was incredible!! After appreciating the majesty of these animals, we returned to Estes Park for a delicious Himalayan meal, before savoring several Rock Cut Brewery brews with Sarah's mom, dad and brother.
- Sunday started with a great breakfast and stroll in Estes Park before heading to DIA. Several tears were shed upon departure. Mom can't overemphasize how FANTASTIC IT WAS TO HAVE KAREN & JAMES VISIT! I had to distract my feelings, so I sampled hard ciders @ St. Vrain Cidery in Longmont.
- On the last day of August, a friend and I did my most CHALLENGING hike that I've taken in my four years. Both of us are 60+, and we picked out this destination earlier in the summer. It was to Chasm Lake, which is at the base of Long's Peak, our only fourteener in the park. There was an elevation gain of over 2400 feet, and there never seemed to be a level area anywhere. We left early in the morning, as one needs to be off the tundra by early afternoon. There was a search and rescue in the area so there were rangers/volunteers and helicopters. Often we had a 360 degree view before coming upon Peacock Pool, Columbine Falls and Chasm Lake. To get to the lake, we had to rock scramble which was difficult. It was a very rewarding trip, but not one I will duplicate anytime soon.
- We had our first wildfire on August 30th as a lightning strike hit Forest Canyon. We'll see how long it takes to burn itself out.
- I've had other visitors: my high school friend and her husband, Sharon and Dave, former catcher Jalene and her husband, Todd, as well as former 3rd baseman Kari and her family. Just yesterday, my good friends from Rapid City, Mary & Cal had her brother and his wife, Bob and MaryKay, in for a visit. What great surprises!
- It was our local brewery, Rock Cut's third anniversary, so our Xanterra colleagues gathered and enjoyed some new brews and pizza together.
- Our store is committed to lowering electrical consumption, so solar panels were installed, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held, complete with cake.
- Estes Park opened a new fitness center in March, and I'm taking advantage of their facility: swimming, walking against the current in their lazy river, lifting weights, walking/jogging, and using their equipment. I don't get there as often as I wished, but something is better than nothing. Many mornings before work, Nancy and I get a two mile hike in.
- Rachel, Stephanie and I drove up the mountain to take in the meteor shower earlier in August. You can't believe the view of the stars and the Milky Way Galaxy with light interference at 12,000 feet. Here's a photo my friend, Nancy, took.
- I've attending a couple of "Burning Issues" seminars @ the Y entitled, "How Putin is Making Russia Great Again" and "Nuclear Security" given by former Navy officers without having any partisan opinions.
- Nancy and I went to Estes Park's Wine Festival. It was a very warm day, and many local wines were sampled. Later that evening, I joined Nancy's family for a grill out of venison and corn on the cob, with Rocky Ford melons - YUM!
- Stephanie and I continue to hike together. Our latest trips included ones to Mill Creek Basin, Alberta Falls, the Loch (my favorite alpine lake) and Timberline Falls. Our day ended @ Rock Cut Brewery, sampling local brews.
- Desiring some unique music, I went to a acoustic guitar concert of three international guitarists who were also clinicians @ the YMCA's elite guitar camp. Quite the talented group!
- After picking up some Mary's Mountain cookie dough in Broomfield, I ventured to The Mine, my favorite cidery in Erie, then to Mountain Cowboy Brewing and the Styrian Bakery in Frederick as well as strolling through the city's sculptures. The day ended with a walk around Lake Estes.
- We had a "Girls' Night Out" at Dunraven Inn. Lord Dunraven came here at the turn of the century and decided to make this area his hunting refuge. Between he and his friends, they wiped out the grizzly, bear and native elk population. The meal was delicious though - steak and shrimp, and the company was delightful!
- I continue to attend Rocky Mountain Church on Saturday evenings when I can where I've met a wonderful couple, Linda & Larry, who volunteer at the Alpine Visitor Center which is next door to the store @ 12,000 feet.
- Now that many of our US college students have returned to their universities, I have added retail associate to my job description as well as continuing to drive my colleagues up the mountain. I'm now up to driving 95 times UP THE MOUNTAIN!
Just last week my home went on the market, so having some great memories crop up now and then. As a retired educator and coach, this time of year brings back fond times with my students and colleagues. Hoping all of you are enjoying the change of seasons in your own way. Enjoy September, and I'll see you soon.
Embracing the Rockies!
Amy
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