Saturday, July 17, 2010

Rocky Mountain National Park

I've been remiss in posting. On to the Rocky Mountain National Park. This is driving west towards the mountains from Boulder.

This was Boulder Falls. I guess you used to be able to walk on a pathway up to the Falls, but it was closed due to falling rock.

The next town was Nederland...very small, but cute. These kinds of towns are all alike in these former mining areas, and Nederland reminded me very much of Hill City...the small town I lived in in South Dakota.




Except for this. Marijuana isn't legal in South Dakota.

So, on we go up into the mountains.


This church was along the way. What a beautiful building and setting. I halfway expected Julie Andrews to come out from behind singing "The Hills are Alive..." It didn't happen.

Continuing up... The clouds were particularly beautiful that day and provided a gorgeous background to the mountains.



You couldn't help but notice the many bicyclists in the area...

They were everywhere...

Here we're almost at 12,000 feet. Geez! I'd be dead! It made me tired just watching these people. Look at her legs...they're nothing but muscle! Makes me feel lame thinking I'm being good by doing the treadmill at the gym while watching HGTV.

Here we are at Estes Park...cute little touristy town with lots of shops and restaurants.

Cool movie theater...

Back up the mountain...



Wildflowers amongst the snow...

This was a view from the Visitor's Center coming down from the top...

And everyone stopped by the side of the road to get pictures of these guys.

Here we are at the Continental Divide...

And here's where I'm going to build a log cabin when I win the lottery tonight...

Hahaha...to be continued.

3 comments:

Vee said...

After all of the flat land you've been used to, this vacation must have hugged your heart. I also love Colorado - some of the prettiest scenery in the entire country - which is saying a lot!

Isla Deb said...

Yes, Vee...it's nice to get out of Texas once in awhile and see some beautiful scenery. Not to mention the cool temps with no humidity!

Paul said...

Nice pictures. I've been there. Most of those same places, actually. There's something about blue Rocky Mountain skies that reach down to touch the mountain tops that does the heart (and a camera) good.