Fall outing?? Feels more like winter!

For the up coming weekend (10/08) we planned to spend a nice fall Saturday at RMNP, watching the elk and viewing the colors. The weather was not as accommodating as we had hoped. We woak to grey drizzly skies and reports of snow in Estes Park. We thought about staying home and dong nothing but figured why not? Lets go! 

It was kind of a magical winter world with all the colors of fall. I miss living in the mountains sometimes. We had fun, ate our picnic lunch in the van, watched & listened to the elk, tried not to get stuck in the muddy ditch, and Justin even did a little fly fishing along a very snowy river! So glad we made the trip.  

I was hoping to get a good family portrait on this trip... We'll have to try again later. 

 

 Here we are at Bear Lake, elevation 9450. Not a very long trail to hike up from the parking lot. But in the slippery snow it was interesting. The kids basically slid their way back to the car. (not really sure why I included the elevation!)

 

 That would be 3 wild turkeys! What a surprise, didn't realize they lived in the park.

End of Summer Fun

Family outing, again to Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park for some hiking and fishing. We were not sure where the trail started and followed a horseback trail up a pretty steep hill only to see the hiking trail ran along the river below us. So we just hiked/slid (thankfully didn't fall) down the side to the right trail. It was a good thing kids are adventuresome. Over all the hike was a short one with not much for fishing. We headed back to the main meadow, Moraine Park. The boys really had fun there. You could see the fish in the clear, shallow stream.

While half of our family is fishing the other half is doing a photo shoot!

They had a few bites, which makes it hard for them to quit. Because some of us were getting restless, and muddy, it came time to leave. As we walked back to the car Justin continued to fish the stream. Hooked one good Trout and let Alayna reel it in. So I guess we were successful, even though we let it go!

On our way back through Estes Park we stopped to play miniature golf. The kids were so excited.  We had to divide into 2 teams, so Justin took the older 2 and got started and I got the younger ones! That really didn't seem fair. Until Corbin hit a hole-in-one on his first shot, at the first hole a par 2. Everyone else hit 2 or 3. We were so excited. Well the kid did not continue playing that way, but we all had fun and can't wait to go again.

5th of July Outing

Our 4th of July kinda got rained out. Bummer  :(   But we totally made up for it with a fun-filled day after. First hiking over 5 miles in RMNP, followed by a lovely drive up Old Fall River Road to the top. Our kids were not sure if they wanted to go the full distance to see Ouzel Falls at the end but we made it and it was awesome! (I love waterfalls. Wish I could visit more.)  The trail followed the river so we saw many other falls on the way up. What a fun day it was being in the mountain forest with my family.

This one was Cascade Falls.

Ouzel Falls - you can see people on the top of the rocks on the left side. We did not hike up there as there really wasn't much of a trail and it wouldn't have worked with the baby pack. Guess it was more like climbing. Plus it was time to head back.

Top of the world.

I love the Trailridge Road drive, everytime I go it still 'awes' me.