Rocky Mountain National Park

Let me start by saying this:  these pictures and the video do not do Rocky Mountain National Park justice. Just flat out, they don’t.  Also, I know no one is reading this, so there’s that too.  But WOW!

My day started slow after my 22 hour day yesterday.  I slept in.  Jocko, I slept in.  Yep.  I did.  And I feel a little like garbage because I didn’t work out, but I’m hitting it tomorrow you can count on it.  Thanks Jocko.  That means a lot.

I Googled a few things this morning and happened upon he Ridge Trail Road and decided that was a winner.  So I set out on the journey rolling through Boulder and then stopping in Lyons for a latte(sugar free....yep I’m one of those guys) and a bacon, egg and Swiss on Everything bagel. It was what a bagel in Lyons, CO should taste like.  But the girl behind the counter said today would be a perfect day for a RTR drive.  Her thoughts on the drive were better than her bagel.  Ok ok.  The bagel was actually pretty good.  Not sure why I’m being so hostile to, let’s csll her Julie.  Sorry Julie.  You were really helpful today.  This is just me being a little sleep deprived posting on my web log.  Yep that’s what “blog” is derived from.  You’re welcome.

The drive to RMNP was incredible and once I got in there....wow.  Blown away.  I stopped near the highest point (around 12,000 feet) and got out and took a walk on the trail.  I couldn’t stop walking.  It was too daggum beautiful.  I sat and talked with an elderly gentlemen and we both gushed about how stunning the beauty of the tundra was.  I’ll be honest, after he left I had a moment where I was overcome with a lot of emotions from joy, sadness, fear and peace.  It was a powerful moment that I couldn’t help but think was made possible by being in nature, not having any cell service and just sitting and being quiet.  For me, that’s where I encounter God the most.

That’s really what today was about.  Connecting with nature.  Seeing the most beautiful landscape that I’ve ever seen.  LEARNING that I like to be outside.  It’s been quite a journey for me the last few years for me to figure out who I am and what I like to do.  Lots of times people will ask me, “what do you like to do?” And I give them a blank stare. At least for today I can say, “I enjoy being ourside, doing some light hiking, and seeing amazing sights!”

Here is a video of the experience in Rocky Mountain National Park:  https://youtu.be/KGggqGDd_SU

And here are a few pictures:

Elk near the Alpine Visitors Center

The one trail I walked had the markers throughout.  

I thought this was an amazing quote.

Here you can see the treeline.   Trees(with a few exceptions) 

can't grow above 11,400 feet of elevation.