Rocky Mountain National Park

It rained most of the night but when we got up, we decided to go to the Park and I'm glad we did.  We experienced RMNP like never before.

We took Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon.  It certainly looks much better than the first time we drove through this canyon.  Four years ago, a huge flood come barreling down the canyon, causing havoc and destruction.  From what we could see, everything has been repaired or replaced.

The first few miles of the canyon, the road weaves along the Big Thompson River between tall rock walls.  It always amazes me how a tree could grow on rock but all the seed needs is a small amount of soil and it will send out roots.  This tree is surviving on the rock wall of the canyon.

After entering the park we found this herd of elk.  It was rest time for them.

This time of the year the bull elk is gathering his herd.  He can be seen in the left of the picture, standing watching his females.

Their coloring makes them blend in with the grasses and scrubs.

The clouds were low on the mountains so I was not able to get a picture of a mountain; however, the aspen trees added color to the normal green landscape.

Another herd of elk.

Elk

As we climbed higher on the road into the mountains of the park, we found snow.  The higher we went the lower the temperature became.  When we finally had to turn around it was 32 degrees.  The wind was calm so it didn't feel like 32.

Not sure I like this picture but since the guy was nice enough to take it for us, I decided to post it.  It looks like we are leaning when we actually are not, the photographer is the one leaning.

A partridge flew into this tree.  Believe me, there is a partridge in a pine tree.

It was like a winter wonderland as we drove up into the park.  We were only able to go 12 miles before we found the road closed and had to turn around.  We loved seeing the snow covering the trees.

From snow to misty clouds over the mountains.

Elk.

We took Highway 34 back through Big Thompson Canyon.  This road will be closed beginning Monday.  They are making some changes in the way the road runs through the canyon.  This bridge is new.

We were lucky enough to find these two Big-Horned Sheep as we were leaving the canyon. They were right by the road so I was able to get a close-up.

It was a rainy, dreary day but that day turned into a winter wonderland once we got into the mountains.  It was pretty seeing the fog and mist on the tops of the mountains.  We got to see lots of elk and even big-horned sheep.  We always get excited when we encounter wild animals in their natural habitat.

We got back to camp around 3:00 p.m.  That is nap time and it is just what we did.  We will spend the rest of the evening relaxing.  Tomorrow we have to set an alarm clock so we can be at John and Linda's between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.  Katie and Aidan are out of school tomorrow and John and Linda both work, so grandpa and grandma have the privilege of watching them.  This is a rare occurrence for us since they live 1,200 miles from us.  Then in the evening, they will bring their tent and camp with us for the weekend.  We brought firewood so we can have an evening fire.  It will be a great way to finish up our trip before we drive our final three days home.