Rainy days can't dampen our spirits!

Estes Park, CO

Today we woke up to fog, clouds and overall dreariness. This is the day we had planned for some family hiking, and since the rain was not forecast until noon, we got everyone moving and headed out to the Bear Lake Trailhead. We joined a ranger-led hike with “Ranger Drew” and about 5 other hikers. We hiked to Nymph Lake (with a quick peek at Bear Lake first) and then on to Dream Lake. Drew taught us about the pine bark beetle, forest fires, the difference between “flat, friendly firs” and “square, spiky spruce” trees, the limber pine, gneiss (“nice”) rocks and many more interesting things. After reaching the guided tour destination, we plodded on together up to Emerald Lake, which was .7 miles further, making our total round trip hike 3.6 miles (going up about 650 feet). Emerald Lake was surrounded by mountain peaks and pine and fir trees, however the view today was quite eerie with the clouds hanging so low the tops of the mountain peaks could not be seen. It was quiet and beautiful. We sat on some huge rocks and ate a snack while watching birds playing in the trees over our heads.

After hiking back (mostly downhill on the way back), we drove to the Sprague Lake picnic area and ate a lunch of leftovers just before the rain started. We then went back to the lodge and hung out in our room for a bit. By late afternoon, when it was obvious the rain was not going to let up, we got everyone back in the car, and went to the movies. We'd all been wanting to see “Toy Story 3” and we weren't disappointed—we all loved it! After the movie, we went to the Grumpy Gringo (a Mexican restaurant recommended by my niece Jennifer) and again, we weren't disappointed. Thanks, Jenn!