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.