Rocky Mountains ain't no lie Nov 19 2012
Steeper than a mountain goat path
With snowy good times
It wasn't until I was crammed into the back seat that I really noticed by back disagreeing with me. My head hit the ceiling, but we were heading into the Rocky Mountain National Park, and that was worth a little pain. Austin was driving with Jess in the co-pilot seat. It was quite the drive. The valley created by the Big Thompson River and along which we drove for quite a while was spectacular. Steep walls of granite and marble placed us in a shadow at midday. Our ears popped as we ascended, through a small quaint mountain town and right into the park.
Our pass saved us the $25 entry fee. Jess kept pointing out the elk after we entered. "Pull over. Slow down! Look there's one. Stop!" Austin obliged her most of the time. One of the times we all exited the vehicle and hiked back up the road where a small herd of 10 or so were grazing on the snowy slopes.
Some strange sawdust like material was plastered all over the slopes as well. I guessed that it was for some reclamation process. Jess argued it was happenstance. It didn't look natural or accidental, but it remains a mystery. I had to back seat navigated with the park map, after a little disagreement about which was to go between Jess and Austin.
"So what you're saying is that I was right?" Austin remarked.
I chuckled. "Yup." Jess likes to boss him around a little so I was amused at the exchange. That could be first time I've simply driven high enough to get into the snow, or at least the first time I really marked it.We headed toward Bear Lake. The snow was full on, and I threw a few snow balls. It was perfect for packing into hard little powder bombs. If Dip n' Dots means anything to you, imagine that, only micro sized. I don't know how the snow managed to make itself into such tiny little balls, but it was awesome.
We hiked to the lake, which was mostly frozen. I dared Jess to step out onto it, and she leapt at the chance, until she got down to it... then she reconsidered, which was wise, because she was definitely going to bust through. I scrambled up the mountain to find some small rocks to bust it. Apparently I wasn't the first with this idea because there were none anywhere close to the actual path. I did break through, and then to my great surprise I was also able to break it with the readily available snow balls.
The rest of our band left me behind as I was climbing on the boulders around the lake to get a better aim. Tanya even made me a super snow ball, which she informed me I must use to defend her honor. I clamored as close as I dared and hurled it with all my might. Honor defended!
She didn't think it was quite so fun when I started throwing them at her. I thought she would just start throwing back, but I guess not. We made up, then I made a mini snow man, and we finished out loop of the lake. It was a pretty short hike, but awesome none-the-less. We've almost got full snow gear now (she just lacks some pants) so we can head back really tromp through the mess in a month or two.
On our way back I saw more elk than I have ever seen in my life. There had to have been at least 250 all grazing together. I think Jess took 100 photos, but we never got any. I will post if we do. We stopped there for a good 5 minutes. Some had some major antlers going on.
We also stopped by the little mountain town we passed on the way up, which was a much needed refueling stop. We all decided the hamburger joint was the best option. Three orders of fries was way too many, even with me helping everyone eat theirs. I also finished Jess's hamburger for her and had some of Austin's philly cheese steak. After that we went next door to the cookie shop and I stuffed my face some more.
There were tons of little mountain shops selling jewelry and nick nacks, crystals, and even wizards and dragons. We actually went into one that I liked. Their stuff was nice! And not in the normal boring expensive kind of way. They crafted all their own stuff, and did some pretty unique and intricate work. Too expensive for my blood, but still cool.
We headed home as darkness descended and went to meet our last prospective roommate - a married couple renting out rooms in their house. It should be interesting at the least.
~ :)
Seth
Some strange sawdust like material was plastered all over the slopes as well. I guessed that it was for some reclamation process. Jess argued it was happenstance. It didn't look natural or accidental, but it remains a mystery. I had to back seat navigated with the park map, after a little disagreement about which was to go between Jess and Austin.
"So what you're saying is that I was right?" Austin remarked.
I chuckled. "Yup." Jess likes to boss him around a little so I was amused at the exchange. That could be first time I've simply driven high enough to get into the snow, or at least the first time I really marked it.We headed toward Bear Lake. The snow was full on, and I threw a few snow balls. It was perfect for packing into hard little powder bombs. If Dip n' Dots means anything to you, imagine that, only micro sized. I don't know how the snow managed to make itself into such tiny little balls, but it was awesome.
We hiked to the lake, which was mostly frozen. I dared Jess to step out onto it, and she leapt at the chance, until she got down to it... then she reconsidered, which was wise, because she was definitely going to bust through. I scrambled up the mountain to find some small rocks to bust it. Apparently I wasn't the first with this idea because there were none anywhere close to the actual path. I did break through, and then to my great surprise I was also able to break it with the readily available snow balls.
The rest of our band left me behind as I was climbing on the boulders around the lake to get a better aim. Tanya even made me a super snow ball, which she informed me I must use to defend her honor. I clamored as close as I dared and hurled it with all my might. Honor defended!
She didn't think it was quite so fun when I started throwing them at her. I thought she would just start throwing back, but I guess not. We made up, then I made a mini snow man, and we finished out loop of the lake. It was a pretty short hike, but awesome none-the-less. We've almost got full snow gear now (she just lacks some pants) so we can head back really tromp through the mess in a month or two.
On our way back I saw more elk than I have ever seen in my life. There had to have been at least 250 all grazing together. I think Jess took 100 photos, but we never got any. I will post if we do. We stopped there for a good 5 minutes. Some had some major antlers going on.We also stopped by the little mountain town we passed on the way up, which was a much needed refueling stop. We all decided the hamburger joint was the best option. Three orders of fries was way too many, even with me helping everyone eat theirs. I also finished Jess's hamburger for her and had some of Austin's philly cheese steak. After that we went next door to the cookie shop and I stuffed my face some more.
There were tons of little mountain shops selling jewelry and nick nacks, crystals, and even wizards and dragons. We actually went into one that I liked. Their stuff was nice! And not in the normal boring expensive kind of way. They crafted all their own stuff, and did some pretty unique and intricate work. Too expensive for my blood, but still cool.
We headed home as darkness descended and went to meet our last prospective roommate - a married couple renting out rooms in their house. It should be interesting at the least.
~ :)
Seth
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