Our Colorado Trip!

A couple weeks ago we flew out west to Denver for our friend Sarah Tigchelaar's wedding. Post-nuptials, we traveled a tad further west with Kim and Kurt to Estes Park. Ole E.P. became our base of operations for the following week, as we explored the mountains, streams, and meadows... and shops... and restaurants... of the Rockies. This first picture shows the four of us climbing and photographing some dangerously picturesque rocks in a river.


One of our first big ventures into the Rocky Mountain National Park took us along the Trail Ridge Road, which wound us up above 12,000 feet. Here we trudged in the high altitudes above the treeline and amongst the snow. Still, plenty of flowers were blooming.


The following morning we stepped out our hotel room door to find first one, then two, elk grazing in the river and around the parking lot. As we cautiously followed them, snapping pictures, we found a whole herd of 20 or so relaxing nearby in someone's front lawn.


Our second day took us past this beautiful meadow with a river cutting through it. Fishermen waded all throughout the stream.



Later that day we hiked up to Alberta Falls. We appreciated how the park made no bones about the fact that YOU'RE IN NATURE, meaning there are animals and steep drops and scary places and bridges that you have to detour. A park ranger was busy sawing and carving logs to make the new bridge. We climbed along the falls, sitting so close to them at the top that you could practically dangle your feet in them.

It was a great trip, affording us the opportunity to see landscape we usually don't, and spending time with friends we don't get to see all the time.