Write My Life

Questions. Often on hikes we pass things about which we wonder. How did it get there? What is it? When was it made?

On the hike around Bear Lake we spotted a series of trees that had been chopped down. We marveled at it. It raised questions for us. Who did this? Beavers? When had they been so hard at work? Where were they hauling all the wood?

Questions without answers. The questions were entertaining, even if we didn’t know the answers.

Our hike on Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain National Park took us on a trail featuring 4 lakes.
Our hike began with a quick walk around Bear Lake. Afterwards, we headed uphill to Nymph Lake, where yellow water lilies covered the lake. Our path meandered along the lake, then uphill again. As we climbed we saw beautiful meadows, streams and wildflowers. We continued past Dream Lake to Emerald Lake. At Emerald Lake a magnificent mountain stood behind the lake and reflected itself in the water. Ahhh, yes. Another gorgeous hike at Rocky Mountain National Park.

A vast park, Rocky Mountain National Park features elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the valleys to 14,259 feet at Longs Peak. Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 feet is the highest, continuous, paved road in the United States. 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams provide a variety of lush plant life.

There are several ecosystems within the park including the montane, the subalpine and the tundra. Forests of pine and grassy hillsides dominate the montane ecosystem. The subalpine ecosystem features spruce and fir trees. Finally the alpine tundra has a small but dense carpet of plants. Igneous and metamorphic rocks create the mountains and valleys. The continental divide runs north to south through the park.
355 miles of hiking trails include flat lakeside strolls and steep mountain climbs.

Color. Shape. Size.

The wildflowers of the Colorado Rocky Mountains delighted my eyes with their gorgeous variety. I took over 30 photographs of different wildflowers. Over and over again I saw this beautiful wildflower – left above. Over and over again I stopped and looked. Over and over again I observed and studied this wildflower. Among the green leaves and stems, this wildflower caught my attention. Its blue and pink flowers caught my attention. It stood in contrast to all the green surrounding it. The blue and pink flowers were stunning next to each other.

Beautiful.

Our first Rocky Mountain National Park hike proved to be an outstanding hike among gorgeous Aspen trees, a variety of wildflowers and several flowing waterfalls.

Along the Wild Basin trail to Ouzel Falls we saw several outstanding waterfalls including Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades.

Uncle Jack chose our hike for its waterfalls, but there were other features as well. The hike gave us some outstanding exercise. We hiked 5 1/2 miles roundtrip with a stead climb uphill to Ouzel Falls. Jackie and Jennifer did an outstanding job hiking this trail. Mike’s mom, dad and sister hiked to Calypso Cascades – an impressive hike for them since they are accustomed to flat trails.

The trail featured an outstanding variety of wildflowers. Each turn had wildflowers we had not seen yet. We had outstanding timing too. When we returned to the parking lot from our hike to Ouzel Falls we meet the rest of the hikers who had gone to Calypso Cascades. They had just arrived a few minutes earlier.

Outstanding.

An area called Wild Basin lies in the southeast section of Rocky Mountain National Park. It features 3 gorgeous waterfalls: Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls. One area along the trail near Ouzel Falls features the remnants of burning and new growth due to a 1978 lightening strike. At Ouzel Falls, we stopped for lunch before heading back. The water fell and splashed before us as we ate on rocks and logs.

July 4, 2006

July 3, 2006

As a side effect of planning the Powers family reunion in Colorado, the local relatives became the hosts.

Jack and Ginger welcomed us to Colorado. Aunt Ginger provided hospitality at her home. She allowed us to sleep there a few nights, provided meals and played games with us. White at her house, Jaclyn and Jennifer played Hearts with Uncle Jackie where they learned the mantra “Get Uncle Jack!” At the bed and breakfast in Colorado Springs, Aunt Ginger made many plans and arrangements and provided the meals.

Uncle Jack’s served as Hiking Guide. He planned excellent hikes for Rocky Mountain National Park. His knowledge and expertise of the area proved valuable. For example, knowing about the afternoon thunderstorms he forced us to leave early in the morning. His plan was good. Near the end of our hike, we heard thunder and felt rain begin falling. Luckily we were close to the parking lot. If we had started later we would not have been so fortunate.

Thanks to our hosts. Your efforts were much appreciated!

Jennifer approached me at my desk.

“Can I pull weeds?” she asked.

“Sure!”

Jennifer pulled weeds in the tomato garden, crawling among the growing plants to get the job done.

With Jennifer at work, we don’t need a mechanical weed whacker.

June 2006