Life is Good!

Last Friday my beautiful friend, Joan, and I made a day trip to Rocky Mountain Park and over Trail Ridge Road. We left early to beat the crowds and enjoyed a beautiful day. The skies were clear and a bright warm sun shared its rays with us until midday. Life is good!

We made the climb to the top of Huffer’s Hill. This short trail is called the Alpine Ridge Trail but Huffer’s Hill fits better. It is only an elevation climb of 209 feet but by the time you are a fourth of way there your lungs and legs are thinking more along the line of 2009 feet. In 2013 they did a major construction job and paved it all the way to the top, including 225 stone steps. Big stones. The breath of fresh air was so welcoming to me. Life is good even when huffing!

When you are above timberline there are no trees. However, there is an active ecosystem at your feet. I could not count all the flowers when you bend down and look for them.  You can find Alpine Forget Me Not, Alpine Clover, Alplily, Rock Primrose, Western Wallflower, Alpine Sandwort, Mountain Candytuft, Moss Campion, Draba, Yellow Stonecrop, Alpine Avens, Alpine Sunflower, Greenleaf Chiming Bells, Sky Pilot, Kings-crown, to name a few. Life is good at the top!

We encountered a couple traveling from Vermont. He had a tough time climbing to the top and his wife was more than excited to see he made it. It was not an easy climb even for someone in shape. The altitude will take it out of you. We exchanged cameras and took portraits of each other at the top. Life is good with a lovely friend!

We stopped in Moraine Meadows along the river for our picnic lunch. We enjoyed lunch with nothing but the sound of the river, the wind blowing through the trees, bumble bees buzzing by and the birds singing. Lunch was smoked salmon and green salad. Life is good with good food!

After eating we walked along the river with our cameras. No flower was safe from our observant eye. Life is good with nature all around!

Alas, we had to head back to town but first we needed to make a stop in Estes Park. Joan forced me to stop at a place called Estes Park Pie and Bake Shop. Their sign from the road read: You Need Pie. We found a table on the patio and shared dessert of a cherry rubbhard pie, with two forks. And, yes, we did NEED the pie. Thanks for spending the day with me, Joan. Life is just good!

We took Joan’s car and I drove which setup a situation for a good laugh.We stopped at one of the scenic spots to stretch and take in the view.  As we were leaving I could not get here key to turn the ignition. She jiggled it around and said she’d had times when it was difficult to turn the key. It was futile for me so I got out and let her get in the drivers seat. As I gave her the keys she began to laugh as I was trying to use my keys. She has an Outback and I have a Forrester. Keys looked similar, I know what my keys feel like in my hands and my keys fit in her ignition. People were wondering what was wrong with us as we roared in laughter. When you can laugh, especially at yourself,  you know life is good!

Well, my time here on the prairie is done and packing things up. I have enjoyed my time here, loving the solitude and quiet. Yes, life is good!