Back to bullets! I will catch up, I will catch up… (and I will flesh these out later, I will….).
- We stopped at several scenic lookouts on the way back down (quite the drive by the way, on the mountain ridge and on the side of cliffs). We saw pika (awww!), marmot, deer, and chipmunks.
- Last morning at Joe & Alex’s. Bill & I stocked up on groceries while the rest of the group walked to the playground. They saw a bunny and prairie dogs (which we are still very excited about, so adorable), and played “cheetahs” with Anna, a spinoff of tag.
- Alex tipped us off that one of their neighbors had an Alaska license plate. Woohoo, one more state off the list! We’re getting close. [Update: We ended up seeing several more of these in National Parks.]
- After we called Dad & Mary to check in after Dad’s back surgery (all pretty well, considering), we ate some leftover pizza and took off for Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Joe’s timed entry ticket was for before 1, ours for after 1. We lost cell service immediately upon entering the park so stopped at a bunch of scenic lookouts searching for Joe and Anna. They found us at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest elevation visitor center of all the National Parks.
- We hiked the trail (and many stairs!) to the lookout point here, over 12,000 feet in elevation. Of course an amazing view from the top, with an elk grazing nearby as a bonus.
- By late afternoon, we said goodbye to Joe and Anna and setup camp in the Glacier Basin Campground. Nice views, though we wouldn’t have complained about quieter neighbors (screaming kids, lots of people talking simultaneously in Russian, kid peeking in on Bill trying to nap). Ate a couscous bowl for dinner and played some cards before bed.