Fun in Rocky Mountain National Park

After a couple days of semi-grueling hikes, we took it easy yesterday, driving up to the Alpine visitor center on the highest paved road in America. Up there, we were treated to spectacular views of elk and wildflowers. Even more spectacular, of course, is the highest full service gift shop in America. We were shocked (nay, SHOCKED) by how much snow was still up there. Going to the lookouts, you read the signs telling you what you're looking at, but there's a wall of snow blocking your view! The rangers say that since there is still so much snow, it is keeping the air cold, which means winter will be coming soon, even though it just left. While driving up, we passed an army in spandex. Usually there are a couple of road cyclists trying to make the trek up to 12,000 feet, but there were dozens of these cyclists, working hard. They are on a cross-country ride for Bike and Build, an organization that raises funds for affordable housing groups through long distance cycling fundraiser trips, and also puts in tens of thousands of hours building affordable housing. We drove back into the park in the evening for some sightseeing and light walking. While there, we were lucky enough to see a beautiful, healthy coyote. I know there are many who view coyotes as nuisances and they are typically scraggly and scavenger-looking; this one was a wonderful looking animal that impressed all of us with its strength and grace.

Today we did our final hike on this swing through RCMP. (In case you joined us late, we came here to avoid the terrible heat wave that is gripping the southern US, and expect to return in August.) We hiked 2.7 miles up to Cub Lake, again facing the agony that is a five-year-old on an uphill hike. But we were rewarded with a terrific surprise: not just one, but two juvenile male moose grazing in the willows and the shallows of the lake. Moose have only re-entered RCMP in the past few years, and only on the western side. As we learned upon reporting the sightings to a ranger, it's only in the past couple of weeks that any moose have been seen in the eastern side of the park. Cub Lake is surrounded by forests and excellent lunchable climbing rocks, and is filled with yellow lilies. They hike down was as wonderful as ever - "Crew leader" Izzie setting a pace that the grown-ups can barely maintain, while Gabe and Kieran are moving at twice that pace with Alex.

Tomorrow morning we pack up and head to Glenwood Springs, CO and the Glenwood Canyon. We have driven through this area many times on I-70. It is one of the most expensive roadways in America and one of the most beautiful, as the interstate follows the canyon and is suspended over the Colorado River. After that, we stop in Grand Junction and then on to Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef, weather permitting! As always, we don't know what our internet situation will be in our new place, but I'll post whenever I can.