Rocky Mountain National Park Archives - Page 2 of 2

Sep 21st 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.

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.

Aug 22nd Adventures of a Dog, a Bird & a Turtle

Our first indication an adventure was afoot was our fifth wheel trailer is parked in the driveway, rather than wherever it hides. Excitement mounts as our humans drag clothes from the upstairs closets to the trailer. Next the delicious aroma of food is carried out. I sure hope we get some of whatever it is. Oops gotta make a pit stop out back and grab a couple of favorite toys to take. Be right back.

There she goes, that silly dog. What if our humans sneak out the front door while no one is on guard. Guess it’s up to me. I’ll just move over to my other perch and keep an eye out. Thump, thump, thump a human with a basket of goodies comes bounding up the basement steps. “Hey guys don’t forget my freshly made breakfast s and frozen dinners.” Pop! The fridge opens, containers of my food are tossed in the basket, yep we’ve trained the humans well. Whew… we’re all set. “Hey wake up Sammy. It’s time to go.”

“What… who… where?” Sammy turtle peeks grumpily out of her shell. “I better get out and play this camping trip. Last time I was stuck in my travel home the whole time, just because it rained. Our humans need to carry a shell with them. Besides a little water ain’t going to make them rust or melt.”

“Oh hush,” says Taco the parrot. “They got our travel homes and Mystic’s leash. It’s time. Oh, yum, I’m getting dinner in my travel home, must be a longer trip. Yippee!”

Thwack. The dog door closes after and exuberant Chow dog rushes in. “Are we ready?” With a bang, our human drops the dog door panel in place and locks it. Then he bends down and hooks the leash to my harness, grabs Taco’s travel home. “Hey, where’s Sammy?”

“Already gone. She’s in the trailer.” Taco says around a beak full of food. “You know she gets car sick if she rides in the car.”

Loaded in the truck, my head out the window, Taco’s carrier hung in the other window, we’re off. Other vehicles wiz by, birds fly overhead and wow something smells good. “Hey why are you rolling the window up. We’re not going that fast.” I plop down in the seat with a grumble and watch out the closed window. Miles and miles go by till we reach a mountainous area, with lots of trees. Pass through the ranger’s tiny house in the middle of the road. My window is back down, I hear a bugling sound, wait… WOW what is that beside the road looking at me?” Sniff, sniff, whine, whine, woof.

Human says “Leave it Mystic.”

Aww that’s no fun. “Taco, did you see that.”

“It’s an Elk, saw it on the Discovery Channel. Told you to stop chasing squirrels and watch my television.”

“Taco that’s boring. No smells and doesn’t run. How am I supposed to chase it? Whoa, chipmunk.”

“We’re here guys. Rocky Mountain National Park,” the humans chorus. “Out you go.” Humans carry the Taco’s Travel home into the fifth wheel and hook up my leash. “Hike in ten minutes.”

*** Yep, we just broke all the writing rules ever written. We can do that because we are a dog, a bird, and a turtle on an adventure. ‘Yes, I got out, see pictures above and right,” said Sammy.

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged box turtle, camping, Chow Chow, Eclectus Parrot, Elk, hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park, RV, RVIng by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Jun 17th Rocky Mountain National Park – An Enchanting Adventure

The quiet beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park (RNMP) is spell binding whether during the summer months or when covered with a fresh

Afternoon Storm Headed Our Way In Rocky Mountain National Park

blanket of newly fallen snow. My husband and I plan at least one camping trip to RMNP during the summer and we stay in Moraine Campground at the edge of an expansive meadow. Down below you can see Elk herds and the cars moving slowly by the area. More than once, we’ve opened the fifth wheel door to find ourselves face to face

View From Our Campsite in RMNP

with a bull elk or an entire elk herd. That is an interesting experience. Usually we back off, shut the door, quiet the dog and wait for a few minutes for the elks to move on. It’s an adventure we wouldn’t trade for the world and keeps us coming back year after year for at least the last 15 years.

Fourth of July Weekend is our excuse to explore the 415 miles of wilderness, which is located about 140 miles north of Colorado Springs on the Western edge of Estes Park. By the way, Estes Park has a fantastic fireworks display over Estes Lake on the fourth of July. It’s a fun time for all, if you don’t mind the throngs of people. Some years we join in the festivities, others we remain at our quite campsite and watch the marauding wildlife.

Yellow-Bellied Marmot

You can’t miss the drive up Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved highway in America. Above tree line, you’ll marvel at the small but vibrant yellow, blue and red alpine flowers able to survive in this harsh climate along with the hearty Yellow-Bellied Marmot. We’ve even seen, but only once, a little furry Pika, but he was camera shy. If you are quick enough, you might catch a glimpse of a long tailed weasel darting between the rocks.

Hearty Alpine Flowers Above Tree Line

Alpine Flowers

We especially enjoy the evening ranger talks in the pavilion not far from our campsite. The history, landscape, wildlife and what you can expect in Rocky Mountain National Park are just a few of the topics.

The weather can be volatile in Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ve left our campground in warm sunshine traveled up Trail Ridge Road, only to encounter hail, lightning, thunder and then snow all in one afternoon. The storms are spectacular, if you like that sort of thing and we do, but you must always be prepared. Always pack with you a parka, warm clothing, snacks and water, even if you are just going for a ride. The warm clothing also makes sitting around the campfire in the evening a lot more enjoyable.

There are family friendly trails, Ranger –led Programs, and six campgrounds, two of which are tents only and the other four accommodate RV’s varying in size. Man’s best friend is not allowed on the trails, but dogs are allowed in and around the campgrounds, which our dog is perfectly happy with. She enjoys the ride up Trail Ridge Road too, as does our parrot. They each have their own backseat window, so there are no disagreements.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s Bear Lake

Bull Elk

If you are looking for high altitude adventures, great camping, stunning views and a wide variety of wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park should be your next destination. Reservations are highly recommended during the summer months.

Posted in My Say What Blog, Uncategorized and tagged Adventure, camping, Colorado, RMNP, Rocky Mountain National Park, wildlife by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.