Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake and Back

taken through the car window at tree line on TRR

Wayne and I took a trip over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake and back yesterday with Carol and Chip. We enjoy their company and had a wonderful day with a late lunch in Grand Lake, a little shopping, and lots of scenic viewing going and coming home. We knew there would be a massive amount of snow as we drove up and over the highest point, 12,183 ft. above sea level. They are still digging out the Alpine Visitor Center near the high point so we couldn't stop there.

A moose cow posed for photos alongside the road. If she has a calf, it wasn't visible. We saw people snowboarding and skiing although the conditions are not very good for either of those sports.

Grand Lake is a little mountain/cowboy town with boardwalk sidewalks and lots of little shops along the main street. It was decked out for Memorial Day with flags and bunting everywhere and we enjoyed wandering up and down the street. My only purchase was a pair of earrings. 

Today we're getting everything ready for a two-day (Monday and Tuesday) camping trip at Moraine Park Campground in Rocky. We've invited my mom and a friend to come out tomorrow evening for a campfire dinner. The weather forecast is perfect.

taken through the car window - people atop the snow bank beside the road

Alpine Visitor Center (not open yet) close to the top of the road
the front of the building is visible in the center of the photo with snow up to the roof on either side

moose cow munching on grass along the road

downtown area of Grand Lake

Main Street decked out for Memorial Day

Trail Ridge Quilters - Summer Sale

My Trail Ridge Quilters group is making preparations for its annual Summer Sale. We're still meeting every Tuesday afternoon in the Longs Peak Room at the Estes Park Medical Center until our new meeting space is completed. All of the money we make funds equipment and projects for Estes Park Medical Center. We've added lots of beautiful new items to our inventory. Here are a few of the latest .....

Whimsical Christmas hot pads

Log Cabin wall quilt

Hand-stitched wool table mat

Cloth books for children

Iris wall quilts

Alpine Visitor Center

This is a photo taken yesterday and posted on Rocky Mountain Nature Association's Facebook page with the following caption:

"Alpine Visitor Center taken by a wonderful park snowplow operator on Thursday, May 16. That's a lot of snow! This incredible visitor center is located at 11,796 feet above sea level along Trail Ridge Road. Stay tuned as we dig out and work toward opening the road for the season!"

Only the roofs of the buildings are visible. The tall poles are put in place before the snows begin in the autumn to help snowplow operators identify landmarks. Below is the same building in the summer. What we enjoy doing, once the roads to the top are open, is drive up Fall River Road (one way up) then back down Trail Ridge Road. The views are breathtaking.

Initiating Our New Camper

Fall River Entrance Station to Rocky Mountain National Park

Wayne and I are excited about our new camper and we're looking forward to many blissful camping opportunities. We took it out for two nights at Aspenglen Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park this week. Only twenty minutes from home, it was very handy for our inaugural trip.

In spite of a few rain showers and cooler than normal weather, we had a wonderful two days. The beds were remarkably comfortable and our sleeping bags kept us warm and cozy. Everything mechanical and/or electrical worked well and we were pleased with the comfort and convenience of the camper. I've made a list of things to buy (paper towel holder, plastic dishpan, etc.) to optimize our next trip.

We've camped at Aspenglen many times in the past. Our site, #50, was great, with trees for shade, a brand new bear-proof storage box for food, picnic table and fire pit, and easy access to the "comfort station" (flush toilets and sink with running water). Wayne built a fire each night and we had friends over last night for s'mores - delicious!

The camper is easy to set up

Picnic table and fire pit are in the background

Handy Dandy bear-proof storage box

Tidy wee kitchen

View from the campground

Another view from the campground

Visit From Carol - My Sweet Sister

Sisters - Judy & Carol
holding quilt top in progress

My sister Carol left for home this morning after spending several days here in Colorado. She was able to spend time with Wayne and me, her grandchildren who live in Greeley, and our mom here in Estes Park. She went with us to Clayton's funeral and shared that incredibly sad event with our brother and his family. I wish she lived closer so we could see her more often. I love and admire her and feel blessed to share a close relationship with my sweet sister.

Carol gave me these beautiful flowers as a
parting gift.

                                       

Clayton

Clayton Thomas

This has been a sad week for our family. My brother's precious little grandson died in his sleep sometime early Monday morning, April 29. The family has surrounded the devastated parents with love and support. This is their first child - another baby is due in September. I can't imagine what my nephew, his wife and their family are going through and I am filled with sadness for the loss of this child. My mother, sister, Wayne and I are going to attend Clayton's funeral today - his first birthday.