elk

A walk around the block

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We effectively took a walk in our “neighborhood”, around Lumpy Ridge. Lumpy Ridge is a massive granite rock outcropping that’s been sculpted by wind and erosion over the last 1.8 billion years. It features many named rock formations, my favorite is Twin Owls. Once you see it, you can’t miss it.

Twin Owls

These are popular rock climbing destinations after the Peregrine Falcons finish roosting.

I’m always pretty happy at the beginning of a hike.

Happy hikers

We were prepared for winter hiking conditions, especially after our earlier, exhausting, post-holing experience.

So of course, we didn’t need our snow shoes. It’s like carrying an umbrella, forget it and it’s sure to rain.

The views of the Continental divide were stunning. We climbed for the first 4 miles then it was all downhill after that. We ran into slushy snow on the back side of the ridge along the Dark Mountain trail. Microspikes were all we needed.

We picked a gorgeous day for it. This is an outbuilding on our neighbor, MacGregor’s Ranch, which transferred 1200 acres of lands for conservation to the NPS.

I decided to name a few of the formations myself.

I would call this Twin Chickens
Chicken hat on a post
Angry man and family
Toucan with a hat
First sign of spring on Cow Creek Trail
Home stretch

Luckily for me, we were able to use two vehicles and did not need to complete the loop, which would have added additional elevation.

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, the big boys came to visit.

It was a nice change from the turkeys.

A good time was had by all!

Our neighbors

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They usually visit when we can’t see them. Now that there is snow on the ground, bobcat footprints reappeared.

We met 4 large bull elks down the road when we returned from town. On another trip, we ran into a traffic jam, as a large herd of elk slowly crossed the road. Finally a cowboy left his vehicle and moved them along. That really sped things up.

Mule deer were in the meadow last night but this could mean a mountain lion may visit to have them for dinner, literally.

Unlike the Adirondacks, the skies are usually bright and blue, probably due to altitude. Here the sun was in mist, setting before the snow.

Backyard view.

We finally explored a little more of Rocky Mountain National Park. We haven’t been motivated to venture afar because it is so beautiful right here. These are some views from Bear Lake. I think they are different views of Longs Peak and the needles.

The happy caretaker out shoveling.

Two hikes and an elk road block

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We were lucky to have family visiting for a few days and did some exploring with them. We walked the trail ridge at Lily Lake and saw great views of Longs Peak and the northern Front Range.

Yesterday I returned to Gem Lake, 987 ft elevation change, easily, and have acclimatized.

Front Range Clouds and Contrails

The view from the Stanley Hotel may have been even better.

We had a paper airplane contest up the hill, behind the ranch, which offered a view of this valley.

A rock wrapped in paper (?!) travelled the longest distance but a complex design had the longest float. Both winners!

Here is a coaster I wove on a rigid heddle loom. It was a slow but gratifying process because I had to select all the pattern threads by hand.

We needed an image of Shrek for a card and I got to try another watercolor.

This morning, the trees are bending in the wind with gusts to 70 mph. They continue to look beautiful after they die. Hopefully none will fall on my car.

The highlight of the visit was when the local elk herd decided to change pastures and cross the road. The kids said it was the best thing they saw, so Tim turned the car around to watch them some more.

Hello kitty

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Bobcat enjoying the sun

The baby bobcat was back this morning, enjoying the sun on a cold blustery day.

The elk herd moved up the road a piece. They were gone by the time we returned.

Snow and icicles are back. The wind howled most of the day and created drifts we needed to clear.

But first we tried a little cross country skiing. The snow wasn’t quite deep enough.

Someone is getting a homemade Valentine’s Day card this year. To the one who shows me these adventures!

Once you spot one, that’s all you see

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I finally saw my first elk and then that was all we saw on the drive into town to swim. It’s also the first time the clouds cleared enough to reveal the mountain range.

This one is much smaller than the two Tim saw at the ranch but he was a beauty. Then we saw a field filled with elk, lounging about.

These two had a little tussle and then hung out together and snacked.

After 12 days at 8,000 ft elevation, I didn’t feel sick after swimming. I read it would take me 22 days to get used to this altitude. I’m definitely getting there.

Finally this morning, I saw two bull elk grazing from my front porch.

And here are the adult and juvenile bobcats walking along the field off the dining room.

This mountain chickadee hopped towards me to say hello on the porch. Not as imposing as an elk, but adorable.

Here’s a view of the ranch from the road. Pulpit rock, in the background, is very impressive.

I’m having fun with new to me gadgets: a ninja blender (very powerful), an electric floor washer (not convinced yet it’s better than a mop) and this jar opener. I was dubious at first but it does the trick.

If it wasn’t labelled, I wouldn’t have noticed it.

And finally a fiber update. I started this hap shawl in October and finished it last week. I plan to give it as a baby gift but I have to confess, in the meantime, it is keeping me warm.

It’s from Heirloom Knitting’s Shetland Hap Shawls: Then & Now. I’ll wear it now and give it then. The Jamieson and Smith shetland yarn is so soft and warm.