Rocky Mountain National Park

It's Sunday, July 18 and a lot has happened since our last post.

We drove from Salt Lake City to Estes Park, Colorado, in one day.  The road quickly rises as we left SLC.  We never got tired of looking at the mountainous terrain.  Most of the drive is through southern Wyoming which is a pretty desolate place. 

We noticed a number of windmill farms.  It's good to see more use of "green" technology.

We passed through Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming.  Another state capitol building for our collection.

Day One in RMNP

We took a drive that goes through the park, east to west, crossing a high mountain ridge (about 12,000 feet) and the continental divide.  We ran into some traffic delays because of construction and some medical problem (we had to wait for an ambulance).

At the construction site we saw something that gives new meaning to "portable" toilet.  I hope it has good brakes!

While driving at the higher elevations we saw herds of elk.  This was a spectacular sight.  And we saw other assorted wildlife.

Day Two in RMNP

Saturday.  Beth has read that RMNP is one of the most frequently visited parks in the NP system and the weekends are especially busy.  Here is the scene at the entrance gate on the Saturday we where there.

We drove to a "park and ride" lot where we could get a bus to some hiking trails.  We did a short, flat hike around Bear Lake (elevation of about 9,500) and then a longer hike to other lakes that where higher in the canyon.  It was a hot sunny day and the trail went up quite a bit (425 feet), but our efforts were rewarded with some beautiful scenery.

After hiking we drove around a little to find some big horn sheep but didn't succeed.  At one viewing place a ranger told us a small herd had been there about two hours before us.  Everywhere we drove there were lots and lots of cars and people. 

Matthew got another Junior Ranger badge, his 12th on this trip!

While driving around the town of Estes Park we found the historic Stanley Hotel.  Bill and his family stayed here during our trip to RMNP about 43 years ago!

Today we continue our drive home, with stops in Kansas (not sure we'll go through the capital) and St. Louis.