“I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it!” (Elf) That’s how I feel about Rocky Mountain National park. I’ve always had a sweet spot for a snow capped mountain or two but to be surrounded by them? Perfection! It took me a couple days but the trick to this place is to get up early, latest 6am. The weather is predictably unpredictable and so it usually gives you beautiful blue skies until about 11am when the first round of clouds and rain come. Then you get another break before the second round of clouds and rain come or in the case of last night, thunder and lightning! 

We drove the Trail Ridge Road yesterday, or at least the part that we could (most is closed due to extreme snow). Thankfully we got up early to discover this predictability and took full advantage, climbing higher and higher up the winding road. The mountains showed themselves and I was mesmerized.

With the clouds that hug them like a warm sweater, I found it difficult to stay on the road and not get lost in staring at the magnificence. 

After the drive I headed out of the park for a hike with my copilot and found Lily mountain. It was a shorter hike but mixed with the high altitude, I was sucking wind by the top. It was the perfect hike for Franklin and I to get our blood pumping and see some pretty amazing scenery at the same time. By the time we made it back to camp after driving through the adorable town of Estes Park, the second round of clouds, rain and thunder hit us. So we cozied up in the car and waited it out, poor Franklin, not a fan of the storms. He was shaking like a leaf! 

Shortly after the storm passed, Beverly (my camp neighbor) stopped by and invited me over for a glass of wine with her and her husband Tom. Of course I accepted and headed over. Bev and Tom are wonderful people, so sweet and kind, from a suburb of Denver. They had a lavish fifth wheel so I welcomed the opportunity to get warm and get to know my new friends. They offered me recommendations on a new route to my next destination and I’m glad I took it, because it was breathlessly amazing the whole day.

 We exchanged information and they welcomed me to reach out next time I was in the area and I needed a bed. They were such great people and I’m glad I met them, if even for a short time spent over a glass of wine. 

On to my fifteenth National park!