Day 5

Location: Estes Park East Portal Reservoir Campground

2 whole days with no internet connection, no cell phone, no texts, OFF THE GRID. Very weird. Had to get to the Estes Park Library today to take advantage of some free wi-fi, check bank balances, pay some bills, etc. Realize when I got here that I forgot, of all things, my glasses so I can hardly make out this computer screen. Bramlett is graciously sending me a pair. (Thank you Bramlett) What a MO!

We have had a great couple of days. We rolled into our campground by 1:30 Sunday and basically got set up by 4:00 which is pretty good for us. Our friend Ethan arrived about this time twisting our arms into a "short" hike up to the top of Emerald Mountain. And, just like that we were off.

We saw some interesting things on our journey out including this sign which I found fascinating and helpful. We were just about to pull over to help someone out.

In Boulder, we felt compelled to purchase one item for all [the eclectic eye] peeps. This disco ball now hangs in the camper over the dinette. If we turn the lights all off and shine one of our headlamps at it, it is an instant party! Plus, it reminds us of the one in our midtown store long ago donated by our friend Gary Needham.
Ethan, who is a seasonal ranger here in Rocky Mountain, offered to take us up Trail Ridge Road Yesterday in RMNP. http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/scenic-drives.htm. I have to say that is REALLY nice having your own ranger guide for your first visit. This is one high, scary road with 11 miles of it above the tree line or over 12,000 feet in some places. Ethan wanted to take us on a 4 mile hike that descends from the Alpine Vistors Center to the location of the continental divide marker. After parking, we headed down about 1/2 mile and realized that the snow was going to be just too deep for us to complete this hike. Feet and Feet of snow. I have lots of pictures of this adventure but haven't brought that camera to download yet.
We then made the drive back down toward the basin, and stopped for some smaller hikes including the location of a massive dam break in 1982 which was fascinating. http://www.rmnp.com/RMNP-Areas-HorseshoePark-AlluvialFan.html We saw Elk, marmot, beautiful wild flowers, and so much more. AMAZING PLACE!
Ethan, Eli and Mike are taking a shorter hike today while Fannie Leigh and I hang out in town for a bit. The camper is holding up fabulously. It is COLD at night. Low 40's so we are all bundled up but have yet to use the heater. We brought plenty of down comforters, sleeping bags, long underwear so we are good.
While we were away yesterday, a black bear made himself at home in our campsite and a few others. The campground host said that they had quite a time getting him to leave. Despite putting all of our food, drinks in the car while we are away, he found a tupperware container that had a can opener and some toothpicks in it, then demolished it. It couldn't have been very satisfiying for the poor dude. He did leave us a few foot prints and a very large poop(i'll spare you the picture) in addition to the destruction of the tupperware to make sure we knew he had been there. We are kind of sorry to have missed him.
Mike has already planned out some projects for the camper that he "needs" to build. This means he is cussing some of the tools he left behind like his power saw. He has got to have some projects. Fortunately or Unfortunately, there is a local hardware store where he can get supplies and rent what he needs. Ethan has been highly entertained by our campsite and all our "needs"!
Fannie Leigh is tired of the library so I'll say see you later for now. We are having a great time and feel so grateful to be here!