Day 3

For the first time in two days we were able to sleep in. It was fabulous.  But the mountains are calling us and we head out to Rocky Mountain National Park for our first hike.  We select the Bear Lake to Beirstadt Lake trail.  The Park has a lovely shuttle service so you park in a Park & Ride and they shuttle you to various trail heads.  It rained when we were in the Visitor's Center and there were a few clouds that followed us but for the most part the weather was perfect for hiking.  Not too hot, not too cold.  Perfect.  As were the views.

Rocky Mountain High

 

Thank God for switchbacks

We had one incident on the trail.  Sue blew out the sole of her left hiking boot.  It made an interesting clapping sound as we hiked down the mountain.  No worries - Drew was able to fix it up later with duct tape.  We hiked for about three hours, caught the shuttle back to the minivan and then had a well deserved lunch at Sprague Lake.

  

We returned to town and on the way back to our cabin we found some elk that had wandered down to creek.  They were eating leaves off the bushes along the creek.  

Tots Adorbs

We continued back to our cabin and as we were about to turn into the driveway, we came upon a mommy mule deer with two fawns.  

I am waiting for a beer to come rambling down through the backyard next.  We soothed our tired feet in the jacuzzi bathtub, had a lovely spaghetti dinner and celebrated Bastille Day with a glass of red wine and some Perrier. Tomorrow Sue and the kiddos are taking a horseback ride while I sleep in.  I do love vacation!