Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Elk

The elk rutt is what everyone looks forward to each year. It starts
to happen about mid-September. This is a picture of an elk making a bugle call.

Another bugle caller.

Early moose in our housing area.

More elk.

Elk during rutt season.

Another bull elk.

Moose!

Baby Moose,

Bull moose.

Cow moose crossing the road entering the park

This bull moose is crossing the road in our housing area. I spotted this
one right from inside our motor home. The orange fencing is where the are
building a water treatment facility and laundry to use next year.

This was a moose we spotted early on in the year. Snow was still on the ground then.

Moose in the park.

This moose I spotted on one of my hikes.

Mama moose and twins. Second twin is peeking around picnic table.
They were wandering through our housing area. This RV was across from us.

Mama and twins continue around the construction site across from us.

Just another moose!

Other General Pictures of the Park

Adams Falls trail view.

Another Adams Falls trail view

Bear was a rare site here in the park. This bear was crossing the road
going into the park. He's a BIG one.

There is an audio visual presentation at the campground (Timber Creek) in the park
every night. A different subject by a different Ranger or Volunteer is presented each night.
They are very informative and worth the time if you find yourself coming into the area.

The columbine is the state flower.

Nice view.

Since is rains often (not necessarily a lot) this is a common site.

This is a once in a "Blue Moon" occurrence for the park. The park got closed
for a few days because of the severe flooding that happened on the east side of the rocky mountains.
 



Holzwarth Historic Site

The Holzwarth Historic Site is the main attraction on the West side of the park.
It shows the different buildings this family had as early settlers in this area.

These trunks of clothes is what children dress in as they participate in
"A Walk Backwards". This is an every Friday program that kids sign up for in advance
and it lets them enact what life was like during that period.

Kids are dressed in period clothing and following Ranger Barb (in red apron) as she
explains how life was for the Holzwarth family.

More listening to Ranger Barb.

This is the practice milking cow.

Kids actually get to practice milking a cow.

More milking.

The kids get to try what it was like to wash clothing during that period of time.

The main cabin on the Holzwarth homestead called the MaMa cabin.

Foot stool in the MaMa cabin.

Ice shed on the homestead.

Memorial Day

All the Park Rangers and Volunteer are requested to march in the Memorial Day Parade.
I regret that I did not get more pictures of this event. This holiday signifies the
beginning of tourist season and Grand Lake comes alive. Before this it's like a ghost town.

Trail Ridge Road


Another view from the top later in the day.

Another view from the top.

Another view from the top.

A vie from the top after the snow melt. The highest spot on the road is
just a little over 12,000 feet.
This was the depth of the snow at this spot once the finished snow blowing over the top.
Twice my height! You can see only the top of the Alpine Visitors Center.
Trail Rodge Road is the main road through the park. It goes from the
West side (Grand Lake where we are) to the East side (Estes Park).
The road over the top does not usually open until late May because there
is too much snow and they have not finished clearing it away. This
picture shows the huge snow blower they use to clear the snow.

More snow blowing on Trail Ridge Road. This road is about 45 miles from
west to the east side and is so beautiful!

More snow blowing.

Our arrival in Rocky Mountain National Park

When we first arrive in the government housing area we had snow. We're
at 8500 feet above sea level so it takes longer for the warmth to get here.
This was May3 when we pulled in.

The snow eventually melted. There are only four RV spots, us and this little
metal meatloaf and two on the other side of the road from where I took the picture.

Just another view of where we camped all summer.

Challenging trip to Colorado

We ran into a bit of weather as we got closer to Colorado!
By the time we got to central Kansas we ran into snow and gusty winds.
We pulled into a Wal-Mart to get off the road for the night but spotted this hotel next door
and decided it would be a better option. It was so cold and extremely windy.
Ended up staying for two nights because they closed I-70.