RMNP

Rocky Mountain Irish Festival

Published June 20, 2015

If I had to blame someone for my love of Irish music, Irish dance & storytelling (art of telling a good joke) – it’d be my friend Stephen. I remember late nights in Landaff, New Hampshire listening to his dad, step-mom Donna, Trudy & Bob – Trudy & the Pioneers – singing & playing instruments ‘til midnight. Sooooo much fun. Talk about a favourite memory – folks, that’s a Top 10.

Stephen & his sister Sheila exposed me to Celtic Thunder – a Dublin-based group, which tours the U.S. annually (cousin Neil is in the band). When I read Celtic, Keith Harkin would be soloing at the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival in Estes Park – HAD to get tickets.

Work early Saturday – my daily painting assignment done (2 more walls of green) – then drove an hour-half north to RMNP (Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park). Mountain air & glacier snow: good for the head, good for the soul. Beautiful sunny weather, busy day in the Park.

Back down the mountain, made my way to the Stanley Park Fairgrounds – home to Estes’ annual Rooftop Rodeo. Not much of an actual Irish festival – this ain’t Boston – but couldn’t beat the view. Sun set over the Rockies as dancers, violinists & vocalists took to the outdoor stage. Unfortunately, my Celtic Thunder guy was a no show – replaced by an Elvis singer…yeah, kinda weird.

Nice diversion from painting & Home Improvements 🙂 Last local weekend before my sister’s visit next month – marathons in Charlevoix MI & Angel Fire NM in my immediate future.

: picturesque evening, whatta view — at Estes Park Fairgrounds

: Trinity Irish Dancers

: meanwhile back Home — Ro & Marty

traditional Irish dancing

Nat’l Park Week #feefree

Published April 19, 2015

Halfway thru my 7 week marathon challenge, find myself struggling. Yes, it down-poured in Kansas; Yes, I’ve been sniffling for 2 weeks, cold/runny nose – but those are just excuses. 4:42 finish time yesterday in Oz – my 4^th worst.

Physically I think I’m there – mentally, the constant travel, I’m dragging. I miss my mountains.

Woke early Sunday & drove to Estes. Sunshine & snow, elk & bighorn sheep – medicine for the soul. Finished the day with steak rare; plan to hit the gym hard Tuesday & Wednesday. Watch out Kentucky – fixed my head, I’m back in the game.

Rocky Mountain National Park
April 17 at 2:43pm •
When is the next day for Free Entrance to the National Parks?
Tomorrow and Sunday!! April 18-19 are free entrance days to NPS areas in celebration of National Park Week. Are there other days this year that have free entrance? Yes! https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

America’s Best Idea—the national parks—is even better when it’s free!

: “The mountains are calling and I must go” – John Muir

: road sign for all great adventures

: outstretched arms, direct-faced the numbing wind, closed my eyes & breathed in deep — medicine for the soul

: bighorn roaming in Estes

Posted in RMNP | Tagged road-signs, wildlife | Leave a comment

Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes

Published March 7, 2015

Last March I first snow-shoed in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park (with a guide through Apex Ex). LOVED it! This year purchased 3 more tickets and treated Ash & Tom as a Christmas gift.

Temps kicked up after weeks of snow – just above freezing, sunny in the mountains. Pretty much perfect 🙂

Same gig as last year – met up at Beaver Meadows Visitors Center in RMNP, followed by a 20 minute drive to Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Poles, shoes, group introductions, porta-potty – then, hit the snowy trail to Nymph Lake.

Today’s snow-shoe itinerary – Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes, a 3.6 mile round-trip trek, crazy popular this time of year.

Guide was more aggressive with elevation gain & hill climb than last year’s adventure to Lake Haiyaha. Wasn’t exactly the walk thru the meadows tour I touted to Ash (sorry) – that said, LOVED it!

Highlights? Trekking across Dream Lake – ice formations were stunning. And of course, 3-cheese fondue & apples high in the Rockies aside Emerald Lake. Honestly, absolutely nothing like it – highly recommended!