6 days after Ironman – couldn’t wait to hit the mountains, jump in & rejoin everyday life.

Kicked off the weekend at Louisville Street Faire listening to live outdoor music, filling up on pizza & ice cream.  All summer, every Friday night on Front Street (just off Main).  Haven’t been once this year – good to be back.

Woke late Saturday plus the weather’s been a bit unpredictable, so Lake Isabelle was today’s target.  Ash & Tom’s dog Marty injured his shoulder a few weeks back so decided on a shorter hike to best assess his recovery.

Hiked Lake Isabelle 2 years ago during my 52 week hike challenge – actually overshot the Glacier, resulting in Ro & I hiking down to our end destination.  Good memories.

Paid the park fee & queued 30 minutes for our turn into the Park.  So many people flocking to Indian Peaks this day, that rangers limited car entry into the Park.

Located parking on the west side of Brainard Lake & hit the trail.  Good to be outside, always enjoy the smell of pine.

Quickly made our way to Long Lake – much easier without waist-high snow – and continued on Isabelle Glacier trail.  Memory failed me thinking I’d passed glaciers before Lake Isabelle.  In actuality these were only leftover snow banks from the heavy winter season which socked the Rockies this past year.  WOW – it’s August.  Not expecting these drifts will melt before snow flies again.  LOVE my escape from the summer heat – only an hour from home.

Sat on a large rock, Isabelle lakeside & shot landscape pics as dark clouds gathered.  Rain, gusty cold wind, ice pellets, rain again, then sunshine – all within a 20 minute span.  LOL>

What turns a good hike day into a GREAT hike day?

Saw 2 HUGE moose on our hike return.  I’ve seen moose from a distance in New Hampshire & Alaska.  These guys however were close (10-15 feet away) and H-U-G-E.  Their rack, their heads – just enormous.  Tried to keep our distance & not startle these giants…but in reality, they could have trounced us.  SPECTACULAR!

Bear & bighorn sheep last month – moose today.  Travelling to Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks over my birthday – excited about the possibilities.  Life is good, really really good 🙂