2012-09 End of summer at Kelly Dahl

We started out September with a dog. It was just a one night stand but of course I fell in love! Someone found this lab mix running on the highway just outside Kelly Dahl, and brought him to us. We took him in temporarily, thinking he might live in the immediate area or even belong to a camper. It was labor day afternoon; I posted found dog ads on Craigslist, boulder humane, etc., while Gary posted a sign on the highway and searched in Ned for lost dog signs. No luck. We brought this doggie into our RV for one night. Housebroken, impeccable manners, very sweet, lovable, we called him "Ned".

Such a terrific dog, we knew someone had to be missing him! First thing the next morning, we took him to the Ned vet; yes, he had a chip. I was simultaneously thrilled for his family, and crying because I had grown very attached in just one evening. (this is why it is best I avoid shelters...) Anyway, his owner came by later to thank us - an elderly gentleman who lives the next road south of us, on Shoshoni near the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat. He said he has no fence, and has trained the dog that he can "only go to the lake to swim, and never to the highway".  With this dog, I believe that might really be possible. I hope Ned (whose real name is Miller) stays home and away from the highway from now on.

We tried to see a few more sights in our last weeks at Kelly Dahl, but mostly kept busy in the campground. On a quick evening trip down the mountain, I went by the Century theater in Aurora and saw the memorial; there was nowhere to park except a couple blocks away and it was dark, so just got pics from the roadway.

pics from Kelly Dahl area and Aurora

2012-08 A quick visit to Idaho Springs

The day we drove up Mt Evans, we also toured the little town of Idaho Springs. We toured the Indian Hot Springs (indoors, not really to our liking) link to Indian Hot Springs, had lunch at a pizza place in town (no comparison to Woody's in Golden!), and walked down the main drag. The old train engine and water wheel were both worth the stop. City of Idaho Springs

pics from Idaho Springs, CO

2012-08 Mount Evans - don't miss it!

The Mount Evans scenic byway is a road to the top of one of Colorado's 53 "fourteeners". It is the highest paved road in North America, and is listed by some as the number one attraction in Denver area. http://www.mountevans.com/  It is well worth the $10 fee charged by the forest service (National Park Annual Pass gets you in for free), and worth going out of your way for! Wow, what a view! If you get vertigo, standing at the top and looking down at Summit Lake might make you swoon. But you can always just hang around the parking area and visit with the mountain goats...

Spectacular views on the road to Mt Evans

Mid-August afternoon at Estes Park

On our second trip to Estes Park, we stopped by St. Malo's Chapel on the Rock, built with native stone and the magnificent backdrop of Longs Peak. Chapel on the Rock  We also spent a few minutes at Eagle Plume's which is all authentic native american arts & crafts. Their basket collection is amazing! http://www.eagleplume.com/  While Gary fished Estes Lake with his little Zodiak boat, I did laundry (why is it he always has fun while I work?), then I cruised the main shopping district (mobbed as usual) and stopped in a local thrift shop. Estes is a busy place, a bit too congested for my tastes! But the surrounding scenery is spectacular.

Estes Park area

2012-08-13 Mitchell Lake at Brainard Lakes Rec Area

This was a short hike just to get a way for a few hours  Mitchell Lake Trail....we never did have time to do the longer hikes at Brainard. Maybe some year! I've heard Lake Isabell, Blue Lake, and Pawnee Pass are all fantastic. See Blue Lake

There are so many more hikes to do!

Pics from Mitchell Lake Trail, Brainard Lakes Rec Area

2012-08 Scenery around Ned - Caribou, Rainbow Lakes

We had only a few hours to get away most of the time, so we toodled around Nederland area, up to Rainbow Lakes info on Rainbow Lakes , Caribou ghost town link to Caribou info, and the general vacinity of Nederland.

Had an hour or so at Miner's Days on a Sunday, firemen having a hose and barrel contest; spent a couple hours at the Gilpin County Fair, and a Sunday afternoon at NedFest which was a fantastic music festival. Lots of fun activities to do during the summer in Boulder and Gilpin counties. The Gilpin County Community Center ( http://gilpinrecreation.com/ ) is incredible with lap pool, big water slide, indoor basketball courts, gym and running track....guess that's one good thing Black Hawk and Central City casinos contribute to the county, in addition to the Public Library http://www.gilpinlibrary.org/ . I think Gilpin County would be a great place to live.

Scenery around Ned - Caribou, Rainbow Lakes

Ned area - Festivals and Fairs

2012-07-12 - Crater Lakes Hike from Moffatt Tunnel

This was one of our favorite hikes of the summer. Crater Lakes Trail The trail is mostly shaded and follows south Boulder Creek for 2 miles, then cuts off to the right another 1-2 miles up to Crater Lakes. Gorgeous area, wildflowers in bloom, and several lakes to enjoy. We headed out early and headed back down when clouds were threatening, as is common in the summer afternoons.

Pics - CO Crater Lakes Trail