Day 5: Up and over

We were up and out by 8:30 am this morning, saying goodbye to Summit County and all the fun and high mountain fun we had in Frisco!  The sky was bluebird and the air cold; we had an enjoyable drive over the Divide and again over Berthoud Pass, through Winter Park and Grand Lake, finally, into Rocky Mountain National Park.  We had no more than driven past the sign for the park than Kari and I both spotted what appeared to be a moose off the road in the willows.  Sure enough, there was a cow and a calf munching away on the underbrush, quite a way off the road but very obvious.  Not a bad start!  We spent a few moments photoing, and then headed off further in.  A small herd of elk and 10 minutes up the road, a bunch of cars pulled off indicated something else of interest.  it was another mama and calf moose, eating along the stream.  We stayed a bit, and got to see both up close as they came up out of the river and crossed the road 75 yards to the south of us!  They are not small animals...We continued up Trail Ridge Road, making the Alpine Visitor Center and the top of the world in time for a rainstorm.  We ate a picnic at the gift shop, wasted some time, and continued on.  A short hike at Rock Cut, more elk, and finally to the YMCA camp in Estes Park.  So great to be back here...such a peaceful place!  We checked in, threw some water in a pack, and headed up Bible Point, a short hike that leads up to a spot where there is a cross and mailbox for prayers.  We met a guy from Des Moines at the summit (big shock; we've met more Iowans than Coloradans out here!), and then boogied on down ahead of more rain.  A great meal at the camp, and we headed up to the Alluvial Fan for some rock hopping and pictures.  Then, Moraine Park to end the night with another herd of 40+ elk, mostly cows and calves.  Pretty great day of wildlife and scenery!  We have had some great prayers as a family; we were pretty wrung out by tonight, and the kids literally passed out once put to bed.  We are planning an 'easier' day tomorrow; eyeballing Lily Mountain, which would be an easy summit for us, or maybe some lakes and waterfalls that would make for a nice morning.  The kids have been amazing, and I can honestly say this is the most relaxed I've been in some time! Can't wait to sleep and get after it tomorrow...hoping for one more blessed Colorado clear air blue sky day!