Rocky Mountain National Park – An Adventure!
Our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park was wonderful and awe inspiring as usual. But… This year we waited until September to pack up our fifth wheel and head to our favorite site in the park.
Upon entering the town of Estes Park, we discovered that it was the last days of Scotfest. Now ordinarily the goings on in Estes Park doesn’t affect RMNP. This year however there were several sites with kilted men and women dressed in full scottish regalia. I have to think camping in such attire especially around the campfire is burdensome, not to mention breezy.
Once set up, we started a campfire. The milky way spread across the night sky and the moon cast silvery shadows that swayed in the meadow below us. Mystic our dog, sniffed, then barked at something we couldn’t see. Shortly after her alert, an eight point elk ambled out into the clearing. Too dark to take a picture. Darn it.
The next day we were up early and headed to Bear Lake Trail. Signs along the way informed us that the parking lot was full. It had been a couple years since we’d hiked around the lake. We considered turning back and decided to take our chances, hoping someone would leave as we arrived. As luck would have it, that’s exactly what happened. The breath-taking view around the lake was enhanced by the aspen leaves turning in shades of green, gold, orange and yellow.
As we made our way back towards the campground, a herd of elk had traffic snarled for a good fifteen minutes as a 50-100 elks ranging in size from huge bucks with large racks to the cutest calves you’ve ever seen single file hoofing it across the street to the other side where they joined another 75 elk grazing in the meadow. The male’s bugle split the air 
morning and evening. It was rutting season.
For the first time since we’ve been camping in Rocky Mountain National Park (over 15 plus years) we heard coyote’s song late one night while enjoying s’mores around our cozy campfire.
On the last day, we packed a lunch, put the dog and parrot in the truck and drove up Trail Ridge Road. At the top we stopped snapped a few pictures, found a scenic spot to enjoy our lunch, and people watch. A favorite pass time of writers you know.
Too soon it was time to pack up and return home. We were thankful for the cool, dry and wonderful evenings allowing us to enjoy a campfire each night. In the wee hours of the morning a solitary thunderstorm rumbled through, lightning streaked across the sky, and rain poured on the parched land. That was okay too.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a place I highly recommend you visit! If you don’t camp, a day trip will introduce you to the magic of this spectacular national treasure. While you’re there, make sure and stop by the famous Stanley Hotel(The Shining). Thrills and chills.
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Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Aspens, Autumn, Bear Lake, Elk, Fall colors, Rocky Mountain National Park, Scots, September by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
