We left the hotel this morning at 8:40 and 57 degrees. We dressed in genes, expecting it to be a bit chilly on top of Rocky Mountain National Park. But half way through the day I changed back to my shorts. It was comfortable. Today we experienced changes in elevation from 5,000 ft. to 11,300 ft. and temperatures from 57 degrees to 91.

Starting the day, we struggled a bit with Mrs. GPS. She wanted to take us to the wrong side of the park, so we had to get creative. But we found our way, with little help from her, to the west side of the park and worked our way across to the east side. This was Steve's birthday, and this is Steve’s favorite park. So, by coincidence, it was perfect timing.

We first drove through a town called Kremmling, an old silver mining town. I have failed to discover how they make a living in this town today, but there are still a lot of people living there with a median income of $45K, so I guess whatever it is, it was hiding from view.

We drove through an old town called Hot Springs, and this one was stuck in the 60’s, though I can see on the internet that it is still selling vacation packages to people interested in bathing in sulfur water.  

Granby was a very interesting town. The downtown area is basically a one-story town. But they have a beautiful, crystal clear lake surrounded by mountains, and the haves own beautiful chalets on the hillsides with grand views of the lake and the mountains, and probably a boat docked at the marina.

We passed through the Arapaho National Forest and the Arapaho National Recreation Area, as we followed the Colorado River north toward the park. We drove past many ranches, but saw not a single cow. Actually, we were following the R & R & RR trail…road, river and railroad. (Smile) They often follow the same path, for obvious reasons. And just before we entered the park, we stopped in Lake Granby (a town) and Shadow Mountain Lake, which is the headwaters for the Colorado River. This is where it all begins, created by the melting of the snow from the surrounding mountains, before it weaves it’s way south through Colorado, Utah, Arizona and finally ending in Mexico.

So…the park. The park was as beautiful as the first time we visited it two years ago. Last time we came in May, so we saw less snow this time around. But the drive up to the top and down the other side was breathtaking. The valleys are a lush dark green, with rivers running through them…six different rivers to be exact. The hills are green with trees, mostly evergreen trees. And above the tree line is imposing, angular gray rock, mostly gray granite. The skies were friendly to taking photos today, so I am including many.

When we exited the park through the Roosevelt National Forest we found ourselves involved in 3 major traffic pileups, so the drive to our hotel was a lengthy one, but we arrived around 5 PM and settled in for the night. Tomorrow is a long travel day, all the way to Topeka, Kansas. I wonder what they will be growing in the fields of Kansas?