I’m currently at the Denver airport writing this ‘Wednesday’
blog… (Not really. I started this blog long ago)
This day was filled with so much activity and unforgettable
experiences. It started at 4:30 am Denver time. Again.
Mornings in the mountains are so pretty…
Mornings in the mountains are so pretty…
With zero issue, I arrived at the park entrance...
Gahhhh...lol
As I entered the park, this was the view...
I believe this is a fox...
Then I went on down the road a ways. I saw some photographers staring earnestly into the meadow. I pulled over and saw this...
It's Marty Moose...hahaha
I drove on up the road and decided to hike when I came to a trail head. I grabbed my camera, cellphone, selfie stick, and my bug spray. Off I went up the trail. It was very intimidating and quiet. You could hear the wind, pine cones falling randomly out of the trees, and lots of small sounds that forced me to turn my head to make sure I was the only 'thing' around...lol
I actually recorded several videos but I learned you can't have the selfie stick jack inserted in the phone during videos, only photos. Meanwhile, you can see what I'm doing but hear nothing. I was pretty bummed about that but it was a learning moment. I won't post them because unless you can read lips, it'd be pointless. :/
I did shoot some photos while deep in the woods. I left the main trail for a bit...
I took this photo for no other reason than to capture the beauty. I found out later, I'll explain, that it's actually the near beginning of the Colorado River. I thought it was nothing more than a creek.
I didn't stay off the trail too long. It was actually quite scary being out there alone, never knowing what I'd find, or what would find me, as I was severely ill-prepared to be out there. There were tons of noises that were unfamiliar and I really couldn't tell what direction they were coming from. So, I headed back to the main path...
*Three year break...
So this is where I stopped writing after my trip. The year is 2019, December 27th to be exact and I need to finish writing about my trip that year. I don't mind re-living it, however, the details are all blurred at this point except a few highlights. There are moments that I'll never forget and I'll touch on those briefly from this point on, simply to summarize my thoughts from the trip.
Back to the trail I went...
The only wildlife I saw while walking this trail were deer. Not your typical white-tails. These were Mule Deer. To me, they seemed much larger than the ones we are familiar with around here. They were quite intimidating, especially when you walk close to one and don't even realize it, like I did.
I got so close to one that we made eye contact... I decided to turn around when I happened upon a buck. Just then, I ran into a couple that were out walking the trail (they later told me they walk the trail ever single day together). He said, "don't be alarmed, come walk with us". He saw the look on my face (a twinge of fear). They were God sent, I just know. That's what I get for straying from the main trail...
So off I went further along the trail with this couple that knew the area so well..
My trail angels...
Saw some backpackers and some folks enjoying their horses...
Me: Can I get a selfie with you guys?
Them: What's a selfie?
Me: Say cheese!!
They told me they started walking this trail because their Lab loved walking it, but they lost him earlier that year, but they still walk the trail every day. That was 3+ years ago. I'd love to know if they still walk that trail :)
I took a thousand pictures, but even if I posted them all, you'd still never grasp the beauty...
Came across lots of elk. A bull and 18 females were following him to be exact. He bugled right in front of all of us who stopped to stare, and it was beautiful and deafening all at once. I was about 20 feet from him.
Then I headed back down, toward an exit from the RMNP... But not before I took some photos...
Once I made it to Estes Park, I accidentally ran into the house where the The Shining was filmed, in part. (It's not the grand estate on the inside, but it does have the famous room inside #237, but I didn't want to pay a fortune to see it because at this point, I still hadn't see the movie even though I knew so much about it. Anyway...
Estes Park is a little town in Colorado that reminds me of Pigeon Forge, albeit with a different aroma in the air... ;)
I walked around taking in the sites, had a nice Thai lunch as I watched passers-by, and left with a mild contact high :D
Drove back through the Rocky Mountain National Park to get back to my hotel. I had to pay to get into the part this time since there was a guard on duty (there wasn't at 630 am when I entered that morning). I tried to sweet talk my way in without paying, but they weren't having it. Took my time driving back through, took more pictures but again, you had to be there.
When I got back to the hotel, there was some excitement. Of course there was no one in the parking lot, as I was one of the only guests for the week (see previous blog post).
I started to walk into the lodge and there were officers crouched down on the ground with weapons drawn... They quickly waved me in. I was told my the desk clerk that there was a felon loose close by and they know his whereabouts. I stood behind the cops and crouched down because I am curious like a cat...lol I started to feel like I was hindering them, so I went to my room and watched a police chase down the road. Literally, an hour and a half from civilization and there's a stand off at my hotel. How fun!! It actually made national news as I had friends texting me to check on me. Ha! Oh, what fun! You can see in the pictures, kind of, that they caught the bad guy. Luckily!
I'm glad I have these photos. Not sure anyone would have believed me otherwise :D
That was enough excitement for one day...
Thursday - My last full day
Off to Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Colorado Springs... Not in that order. Reverse order, actually...
The road up to the Peak is no joke... One little over correction to the right and you fall straight down to your death. The little Toyota I was driving was my buddy and handled like a champ :)
My journey into Heaven...lol JK
The view from the top...
I got a little light headed so I didn't stay long...
Got lost on my way back to the hotel (Not surprising since there was no cell service and no GPS) took an extra 2 hours to get home with an already 1 and a half hour drive anyway. It all worked out. Saw some amazing sites on the back roads...
Pulled over a few times to listen to the quiet...
Stopped at a little (tiny) town to ask for directions, I made it back just before dark...
Friday - I had a few hours to kill before I headed to the airport (ugh)
The moon coming up over the mountains was something to behold...
And I watched the sunrise while I drank my coffee...I was in no hurry this day.
Because it was the beginning of the weekend, other guests were now present at the lodge...
Also, pictures of my room for the week...
Off to one of my walks in the woods...
Gotta love someone's sense of humor!
Then I made the long trek to the car rental company to return the Toyota... The bus took me to the airport...
Soooo much fun! (Insert eye roll here)
^^^ That's what the fear of flying looks like!
Back on the tram to board... then to the gate! (ARHG)
My ride!
I didn't want to go... I thought about just driving the Toyota home around this time and figured it was a little late for that idea...
And... Away, we go!
It was a bumpy ride home. Lots of thunder and lightning in Indy. The plane descended and ascended a couple times. I was out of my mind with fear and anxiety, but I lived...
I made a couple friends...
The face of "My fear is gone"...
I made it home... My mom and dad and daughter were waiting for me. I loved my trip. I have so many memories I still think back on and I'm so glad I went. I am a bit spoiled now as I loved traveling solo. Peopling can be a lot sometimes :D
