Lilly Peak Trek

Planning to hike up Estes Cone, our plans quickly changed as a sign clearly stated "no dogs allowed". My heart sank a bit as I was anticipating this venture all week long. Fortunately, there was a helpful ranger who suggested hiking up Lilly Peak. He and his late dog frequented this peak often. Best of all, he explained WHY dogs are not allowed in national forests. Oddly, it wasn't to protect the squirrels and other critters, rather the predators. Apparently, predators sense of smell is extremely strong and will track the dander left behind by dogs. This makes them feel that the area has too much competition and the predators leave for the land 'o plenty. (Dad, you would have loved talking with this ranger who was like a walking environmental computer.) On the ridge leading to Lilly Peaks we found a fierce predator! Fortunately, Steve's dream to wrestle a bear materialized.


Buddy poses with his furry friend.

Below are several views from the top of Lilly Peak.

The climb to the top was too technical for Buddy, so Steve and I took turns going to the summit. Steve was able to capture many incredible shots of the scenery.

Sweet California Days

While visiting in CA the last week of October, I was able to snap some shots of the nieces at their harvest festival. Though this is not a Colorado moment, I've decided to share some precious moments.

(Mom, as usual, did an amazing job creating the girls costumes!)

Here's Snow White cleaning the remains of cotton candy off her precious face. (above)

Here Liv is a beautiful prairie girl.

Love how this prairie girl can climb!
Monica gets ready for her big moment only hours away!

A beautiful fall day at the local creek while walking Buddy.

First Tracks

Our first snow came a couple weeekends before Halloween. Everyone told us that the first snow would fall before the princesses, goblins and superheros came out. Sure enough, we awoke Sunday morning- late- because the sky was lead-like and the sun had no chance of burrowing it's way through the grey shield. The flakes continued to flutter down until the afternoon.

Recognize this? It's the dog park area!

All Terrain Lab- Buddy enjoys the change of seasons.

For all the "I told you so" folks, the snow was gone within two days and the locals say, this is the normal pattern with the snow (which is also wet like Sierra snow because our elevation is lower than the Rockies).

Something For Dad

While we were visiting Rocky Mountain National Park we strolled up to a lookout point at 12,000 feet in the alpine tundra. There we scrambled up come solid rock to find this dial. On the top surface, it has a map of the ranges. On the top edges, it has little points with the names of peaks. If you kneel down, you find even more names of peaks along with their elevation. While kneeling, you can sight the peak with the point on the center of the dial allowing you to know exactly which peak you are looking at! Dad, you would have been up there for a long time!

Other fun elements of the park, the Continental Divide, beautiful lakes and heaps of wildlife!