Memorial Day Weekend - Part II

After the movie, we ventured back up the hill to our camp, lit the fire and laughed, for a good long time as Henry Hound patrolled our camp area - howling every minute or so, making sure that every animal in the valley knew that he was watching for them - or something. It wasn't long before we decided we'd best just wrangle him into the tent for the night. It was a really clear night and so even chillier than the night before - we're guessing low 20's. Even Henry was shivering.

The sun was shining when we got up this morning - but it was looking cloudy to the northeast - the direction we were headed for the day. So we quickly broke down the camp, loaded up the truck and after a coffee stop, were on our way up to Rocky Mountain National Park. We arrived at Milner Pass around 8:45 AM - and Trail Ridge Road was still closed. We saw one other car between the park entrance and Milner Pass. There was one more car waiting for the road to open. We talked to the gentleman for a while, and he told us the ranger thought the road would open by 10:30am. We decided to wait and see - at least that long. It would take us that long to go back around anyway.

Luck was on our side this morning and at about 10:05, the road opened and we were escorted to the top by a ranger - well, we were third in line, but still pretty cool. You can see the ranger's white vehicle at the front of the line.


The snow drifts were pretty deep, I'm guessing 20 feet tall in some places. And it was cold and windy - we didnt' stop to get out. There was mini-golf to be played in Estes, where it was to be much warmer, according to the weather forecast on Friday.


And thankfully, the forecast was right - it was beautiful in Estes. Blue sky, very little wind and a round of mini-golf where J & I ended up being tied. And on the second game, I got a hole in one on the 19th hole and won a free game - that hasn't happened in a long time.

Then we hopped back in the truck and headed for home - the long way - we both love the Big Thompson Canyon and rarely drive it, as it adds miles and almost an hour to the trip home. It was so worth it. The river was moving and everything in the canyon is greening up. Then the long trek down I-25 back to the city, getting all the gear unloaded and put away. And, a trip to the PetHotel to pick up Mr. Norm, of course.

Tomorrow, Memorial Day Weekend Part III - The 30th Annual Bolder Boulder

Well, it might not get posted tomorrow, but soon anyway.

Memorial Day Weekend - Part 1

It's hard to believe that it's already Memorial Day Weekend! J has a tradition of making a loop from Denver, up Mt Evans and back down, then over Berthoud Pass and on to Winter Park, Granby, Grand Lake, into Rocky Mountain National Park, up over Trail Ridge Road, down into Estes Park and back to Denver...sometimes with some camping in between, sometimes in one long day. And this year, he invited me to join him on the journey - we've been looking forward to this for months!

We decided we'd camp this year and by Tuesday we knew that we were going to be ready to get out of town on Friday. He figured it'd be easiest to just set up a base camp and do a little back tracking as needed this year. It's nice not having to break down camp every morning. So we left town around 6 on Friday and after being shut out on one forest service road (foot deep mud without 4 wheel drive is a no-no), we go a little further into the Fraser Valley and find a great place up on Crooked Creek Road. We were actually hoping to get a big higher up the road, but the forest service has it closed. So we set up camp.

End of the road, we camped just to the right - great little spot. J even taught me how to shoot a shot gun up here - big fun!

And here's the view we got to enjoy much of the weekend - well, when it wasn't snowing anyway. That's right - snowing! Thank goodness for big fires, warm sleeping bags and fleece lined hats!

We set up camp and J quickly lit a fire for us to warm up with - it wasn't dark yet, but we knew that it was going to be in the low 30's-high 20's Friday night. We're getting pretty good at the arm length photos...see...
After about a half hour or so, it started to snow. It wasn't really flakes though - it was more like pellets - dippin' dots sized pellets of snow, so we retreated to the tent. I was very impressed with how warm my new bag kept me - those ratings are pretty right on - thankfully.

On Saturday morning, we ventured back down to Mt Evans in hopes of driving at least up to Summit Lake. It wasn't to be though, drifts had blown in overnight and the rangers had no idea when the road might open again.

So feeling a bit defeated, but also knowing it's a half hour from home, we went back over to Winter Park and on up to our camp site. We decided to go on a quick hike on up the road past the closure, just to see what we could see - and of course, I forgot the camera. It was a nice hike, lots of shade and some great views - you'll have to take my word for it though.

It was about time for dinner and we decided just to go into town. We had also seen that the new Indiana Jones movie was playing at the theater in Winter Park - woohoo! So a quick bite to eat, a walk for Henry Hound (J's dog, Norm spent the weekend at camp) and we were off to see the movie.

So this is a random picture, right? Well, not really. You see, behind the speed limit sign, is the sign for the Cinema - you can see the NEMA. And it's kind of fitting that the sign is hidden, because the theater itself is also hidden. It's located in the building with the green roof, on the right side of the picture. But - the part of the building you see, is a convenience store. The theater is actually downstairs, that's right folks, we saw the latest Indiana Jones in a theater in the basement of a convenience store. It was an adorable little theater. Just one screen, a lobby wallpapered in the mid-80's, and thank goodness we hit the ATM beforehand, because while they don't do debit cards, they do take checks - I saw someone writing one when we left after the movie. Everyone has to go back out the same way they came in - so since we went to the early show, we got to walk out past all the folks waiting to see the 9:30 show. The movie was good and it was nice to spend some time inside - especially since it really didn't warm up a whole lot during the day.


Part II coming right up...

Friday Five

From RevGalBlogPals...
It is a holiday weekend here in the UK, and the weather forecast for much of the country is not good!!! But we can still dream and so with that in mind I bring you this Friday Five.

1. Getting ready for summer, do you use the gradual tanning moisturisers ( yes gentlemen you too can answer this!!!), or are you happy to show your winter skin to the world?
I used to, but these days I'm pretty content to just be me...as is.

2.Beach, mountains or chilling by the pool, what/ where is your favourite getaway?
Beaches are ok now and then...but I love the mountains!!!! The farther away from the beaten path in the mountains the better.

3.Are you a summer lover or does the long break become wearing?
I love summer in the Winter & Spring, but by the time summer actually gets here, I'm ready for fall it seems. That's not completely true...I do enjoy the summer, hiking, camping, rafting. It's just hard to love it on the scorching hot days that we had way too many of last summer.

4.Active holidays; hiking swimming sailing, or lazy days?
Mostly active, though I do enjoy reading a book/snoozing in a hammock by the river.

5.Now to the important subject of food, if you are abroad do you try the local cuisine, or do you prefer to play it safe?
I'm generally willing to give the local things a whirl. Also, it's generally better if I don't know what it is until after I've tried it.

My Bonus...
Headed anywhere this weekend (long weekend for most in the States)...
Yep! J & I are going camping, leaving tonight - sure to appreciate the summer heat a little more by the time we get home on Sunday. I'm scared to even look at the forecast for the mountains, but I suppose I should be a little responsible and have a look.

This weekend is J's traditional Memorial Day Mountain Loop - Denver to Mt Evans, then over to Grand Lake, up over Trail Ridge Road and down into Estes Park. I've never been up Mt Evans, so I'm looking forward to that, and just being out of town with J.

It was a gorgeous and busy weekend around here.

I was off Friday so took the long way over to Buena Vista - making several stops along the way. Friday night included a CPR/First Aid class and dinner at Quincy's - YUM! They don't have a menu - on Fri & Sat it's prime rib and the rest of the week it's filet mingon - you just tell them how big and how well done and that's it - you don't even pick your salad dressing. Always fun catching up with the AT folks at Quincy's.

Got to test out the new sleeping bag and am pretty excited about it - real test is this weekend when we'll likely be camping on snow.

Saturday I was on the river guiding a group. I was fairly confident all day that at some point, we were all going in the drink. And let me tell you - I HATE SWIMMING - when it involves a fast moving river and water temps hovering around 40 degrees. Thankfully my crew finally figured out who was on the left and right (important when I yell for only one side to do something - which usually happens at a critical time). So we survived the day without any unintentional swimming.

Sunday, J & I had planned to spend the day together. It was way too nice to stay in and catch a movie (Prince Caspian will have to wait), so we headed west of town and found ourselves at St. Mary's Glacier - he called it a walk. I think it was a hike - about a mile up, and I mean UP (the trail levels off, once you get there), over a very rocky trail, still covered in snow. I'd never been before and I'm so glad that I kept on up the hill, even as my legs were screaming. It was gorgeous and well worth the effort. (also a reminder that I have much more work to do before we get to July, August & September's backpacking trips).

People ski down the steep slope above - and it's way steeper than it appears in this picture!

And the obligatory arm's length photo - this one actually worked pretty well.

Last night we went to the Rockies' game - they lost, but made a great run in the bottom of the 9th to make the end exciting. It was a beautiful night - it has been 85 or so yesterday, so the evening cool down was very welcome.

Up next - seeing Brett Dennen, Mason Jennings & Missy Higgins in concert tomorrow ngiht - camping this weekend - maybe some snowshoeing and on Monday, the BolderBoulder.

Life is good...

Mostly, life is good these days.

• Spring is here more often than not anymore.
• I'm headed down to the river for some rafting this weekend. (I'm excited to raft, not excited that the water is only in the 40's or that my most favorite river friends aren't going to be around this summer.)
• I'm getting to the gym 5-6 days a week, even doing a few free weights some days.
• The dogs are finally starting to be friends (J's dog is older, taller and lighter...Norm is, well...lacking some social graces and kind of the annoying little brother type).
• And, next weekend, we're finally going camping...and and and, I get to test out my new sleeping bag and sleeping pad (a combined weight of just 3.4 pounds - backpacking) for real. I tried to test it one night on top of my bed, but I guess sleeping in a down bag rated to 25 degrees, while inside a nice cozy apartment isn't really a good test.
• Sadly, as of about right now, my sister is no longer a New Yorker - she loved living there but will be much happier to go back and visit from time to time - she's now back in a warmer place, with seasons, South Carolina.

That's all for now.

May Day...my rear end!

So when I was a kid, we used to do cool May Baskets for our friends - all springy and such.
Well, yesterday was May Day - and it looked more like Christmas.

Snowflakes as big as half dollars - SNOW! Lots of it!

Of course, since it had been 75 the day before, the snow didn't really have a chance to stick to anything, and for that, I'm thankful.

That's all.