After a quiet morning, writing in my journal and doing some dream for what I am birthing in the next year, I headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park. While enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and foods of SE Asia, I reminded myself how fortunate I am to be living here in Colorado. Not only living here, but I get out and enjoy it as well!
Off I went to a trail I haven’t hiked in years. It has a more Southerly exposure so I assumed it would be fairly dry. After breakfast at Mountain Home Cafe, I headed up.
During late spring and summer days, especially on weekends, the parking area fills very early! There were only two cars this Thursday after noon. I’d never find a parking spot this late in the day later in the spring.
The trail was dryer than I expected and I walked amidst evidence of damage done here during the floods in the fall of 2013! Hiking nearly 7 miles, taking my time and enjoying myself, I saw only 5 other hikers during my time on the trail!
Coming into a cluster of pine trees, I suddenly smelled a very strong skunk smell like it was really close. I stopped and looked about, saw movement, then noticed the flock of turkeys moving through. They must have startled the skunk and it put off a warning shot!
Red Tailed Hawks circled over head. The sun warmed me and there was little wind which is unusual up there. The last part of the trail was a bit icy and slick. You’ll see some of that slush in the photo of my shoes.
The last time I wore theses shoes, I was hiking in the hills of Laos! How weather, surrounded by the fragrance of blooming robusta coffee trees, amazed by the scent and environment, that was the last time I wore these. Now, over a month later, I was walking on snow and ice with them in the Rocky Mountains. These shoes will collect more stories in the coming months!
I saw the first Mountain Blue Bird of the season! I found this photo:
It was a wildlife filled day! I saw a lot of elk including some large bulls. Then I came across a herd of Big Horn on the side of the road. Then a large herd of elk and shortly after, the herd of deer! It’s unusual to see so many deer together.
What a lovely day highlighted later by all the birthday wishes from friends across the world! I feel like birthday’s are a time to set clear intentions for what I want to birth during the next year. What a lovely experience which continues!
Here are photo’s from my day up there.
