Thursday, July 16, 2015

The "Hills" are Alive!

July 16, 2015

The hills are alive with wildflowers - so gorgeous!  Celebrated this morning with a phone call to Norry, my brother, as it's his 65th birthday!  Great to catch up with family.

Here's a quick update of what's been happening in my adventuring:

  • learned about the hiking the Historic Dawson Gold Rush - Chilkoot Trail in Alaska (our family visited Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site in Seattle a few years ago)
  • ventured through Devil's Gulch that was devastated by the flood of Sept. '13
  • indulged in one of the infamous cinnamon rolls at Glen Haven General Store (the town of Glen Haven was almost totally destroyed in the flood)
  • toured Loveland's Bensen Sculpture Gardens
  • sampled four breweries in Loveland
  • checked out some electrical transformer boxes that had been painted for city art (reminds me of our family's search for "Peanuts on  Parade" in St. Paul
  • shared wine and craft beers with friends,
  • delighted in chocolates given to me by my Taiwanese friends,
  • hiked around Sprague Lake, enjoying elk and the alpenglow in the mountains,
  • drove up Old Fall River Road, enjoying the abundant wildflowers, explored Chasm Falls, daydreamed aside an old ranger cabin and then getting startled by mule deer drinking in a nearby creek,
  • hiked up Chapin Pass Trail, taking in a 360 degree panaromic view of the mountains, while enjoying the marmots,
  • worshipped at the YMCA of the Rockies, with an illusionist giving the wonderful message,
  • visited Holzwarth Historic Site that is a preserved homesteading site.  Mr. Holzwarth, a Denver saloon owner moved here during the years of Prohibition and built a trout lodge that kept expanding for 50+ years, entertaining guests from near and far,
  • basked in the beauty of Grand Lake at the southwest corner of RMNP, while reading and enjoying an expresso,
  • witnessed moose (three cows and a calf) meander along the narrow Colorado River, nibbling the lush grasses of the meadow and the young willows,
  • appreciated the friendliness of a couple of bluebirds at an elevation of 12,000 feet,
  • discovered my first PIKA!,
  • read and journalled on the shores of Lake Estes, toasting the backs of my legs - OUCH!
  • met, greeted, have done swivel hips in manuveuring around guests and helped travelers five days a week @ Trail Ridge Store, and have become frustrated when our satellite system goes out, crashing our registers, and
  • celebrated with my co-workers with a prime rib dinner.


Enjoy your summer with family and friends!  Missing Wisconsin and everyone!
Colorado Amy










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