In Alpine Country--July 13, 2010

Another bright sunny day greeted us this morning, and after breakfast, we set off to traverse the Trail Ridge Road and its trails. Trail Ridge Road is the name for the stretch of road that traverses Rocky Mountain National Park and is the highest continuous highway in the United States. The highest point on this road is 12,183 ft. As we ascended, it got much colder. We stopped at one of the trail points at about 11,000 feet. After donning jeans, sweatshirts and windbreakers we set off. While the views were spectacular, the wind was blowing at about 50-60 mph. It was hard to stand up, never mind pick your way around the rocks strewn upon the trail. That wind was the main factor in the fall I took on the way back down the trail. As I hopped from one rock to the next, I was literally blown off my feet. Luckily, I landed on my knees, and broke the fall with my left hand. I have a goose egg on my left knee, and a growing bruise on my right knee. After this, we decided to avoid the higher alpine trails.

We drove most of the length of Trail Ridge, stopping now and then to try a short trail. Several times rain and thunder punctuated the afternoon. Later in the afternoon, we stopped at the Holzwarth Historic Site, a former dude ranch located within Rocky Mountain National Park. There are several buildings still standing, and rangers there to offer more background on the site.

On the way back east on Trail Ridge Road, a narrow, winding road, two cars appeared to be racing each other, passing on double yellow lines, and around curves. Idiots are everywhere.

We had a glass of wine back at the cabin and shrimp salad for dinner. Except for the toss I took, it was a fine, relaxing day.