Day Two ended with a surprise ‘Old West’ activity for my East Coast friends – a trail ride in the Rockies!
One had ridden a plow horse as a child, one had ridden at an Arizona Dude Ranch 15+ years ago – and one had never previously been on a horse. No better way to start than with a 4-hour trail ride over mountain terrain. Yeah, 4 hours. Ouch. LOL>
Ranch cowboys selected the horses, then we lined up and mounted our rides. Fannie, Shooter, Simba and my horse PeterPan, started the three+ hour journey through the Estes foothills. Wagon-ho, 90+ degrees on a dusty trail. Truly ‘Old West’ style fun! 🙂 Oh, and payback to the host — Peter Pan was both a biter and kicker, so got to ride in the back (and eat dust for hours :().
FOOD! No better way to fuel a body than with a chuck wagon dinner. Steak, beans, fried potatoes and lemonade. FAAANNTASTIC finish to our ‘Old West’ day in the Rockies!
Hey wait there’s more – ahhh…the Holy Grail. Parked in the campground was a wagon used on my fav childhood (book &) TV series, Little House on the Prairie. Truly a FAAANNTASTIC finish to day!
https://www.sombrero.com/custompages/estespark.asp
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- surprise activity for East Coasters
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- once on a plow horse, once on an AZ Dude Ranch, & Dan (never been on a horse)
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- luckily, ranch cowboys matched us with horses
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- 90-degrees+ and a dusty trail ahead
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- Peter Pan (good horse but I prefer Ro)
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- Did I forget to mention – it’s a 4-hour ride? Ouch.
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- Chuck wagon dinner
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- Steak, beans, potatoes & lemonade — FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- stage prop from ‘True Grit’ (John Wayne version)
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- nope, not from ‘Stagecoach’ – much much better…
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- Little House on the Prairie!
Day Two with my Flatlander guests included a drive through Colorado’s most famous natural treasure – Rocky Mountain National Park.
Have previously visited RMNP a few times BR (before Ro) but only [driven] from Estes Park, ending my journey at the Alpine Center (RMNP top). But since our day began in Glenwood Springs, had the opportunity to enter the park from the West via Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road is only open to cars from Memorial Day to Labour Day so this was a treat!
Stopped at Milner Pass and provided a brief (USA) geography lesson to my friends. East of the Continental Divide, rivers flow toward the Atlantic; west of the Divide, toward the Pacific. Two of my friends had never been West in their lives – ROCKSTAR geography lesson!
National parks = wildlife sightings
Today’s roadside – stop your car NOW – visitor was a HUGE adult elk with an equally massive rack. Ro would have gone crazy – could be why they don’t allow dogs in the park 🙁
Up to the Alpine Center for lunch and snow pics. Unfortunately, this Colorado day was abnormally warm – more than 60 degrees (but still 30+ degrees cooler than the park entrance). Only snow remaining was Glacier snow – but still counts. For the record: I promised snow & I came through 🙂 Looked back at last July’s (2011) pics. Lot more snow, wearing a jacket and even sported a beard. Hmmm…
Here’s hoping we cycle back to MAJOR snow this winter. Fingers crossed!
https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
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- taught Flatlanders about USA river flow
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- Milner Pass
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- HUGE rack on this elk!
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- only Glacier snow on a warm Colorado day
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- same shot from July 2011 (more snow & I’m wearing a jacket)
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- sporting a ‘wilderness look’ last year too
3 East Coast visitors here for a few days – hooray! Wanted to show off my state – but limiting that tour to parts of Colorado not currently on fire 🙁 Fires to the north, a new fire to the south (near Colorado Springs) – Go WEST young man!
Dropped Ro off at Cottonwood Kennels for 2 days. He’ll play for a solid 48 hours, then crash at home for the next 24 after being out day & night with the boys. That’s his history after Ashton’s graduation in early May. Expect the same this go-around.
South to Denver, then 2 ½ hours west on I-70 to Glenwood Springs. Probably the most amazing stretch of interstate highway in America – traversing through staggering Glenwood Canyon. Refueled in Georgetown, then full-steam ahead to Hanging Lake – a ‘no dogs allowed’ hike. Since Ro was at Cottonwood, decided to fit in many ‘no dogs allowed’ points into our all-Colorado itinerary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNqcNH7ez4k&feature=related (I-70 thru Glenwood Canyon)
4 of us started the trail at Hanging Lake – one little Indian suffered altitude sickness, then there were 3 (poor Sheila).
1.2 mile vertical climb to the top – SPECTACULAR view! Crystal clear water, emerald green hue, and a mountain waterfall. Sure that mountain spring was cold but I needed to be in the water – that’s the W-O-W moment! Shot a video short of the waterfall. SUCCESS!
Hanging Lake (waterfall video)
Did the return hike in just over 30 minutes, regrouped and eased to our evening vacation activity – Glenwood (mineral) Hot Springs. (Naturally) geo-thermally heated, then cooled down to 104-degrees so we guests are not boiled alive 🙂
Day One ended with smiles – good sign for tomorrow!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Lake
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- ‘difficult’ is only a state of mind
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- approaching tunnel
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- No Rowan this hike (just seems wrong, huh?)
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- young Dan leads the way
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- 1.2 mile vertical climb
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- SUCCESS!
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- clear & emerald green
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- mountain waterfall
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- Hanging Lake (from behind the Falls)
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- Spouting Rock
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- behind the Falls
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- W-O-W moment!
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- hike followed by mineral hot springs (hmmm..smell of sulphur – LOL)
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- geo-thermally heated, then cooled to 104-degrees for guests
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- still all smiles after Day One
