How can I describe Rocky Mountain National Park? I really can’t. It’s so massive & expansive, with a different scene at every turn (& believe me, there were MANY turns!) It took us 7 ½ hours to drive the 140 miles that connects Estes Park to Steamboat Springs. We stopped whenever there was enough space for us to park our big beast. At one stop, a family walked over to us, having noticed our Massachusetts license plate. Turns out they live in Chelmsford, the town right next door to ours!
We hiked a couple of trails, one of which brought us to an elevation that was over 12,000 feet - 2.3 miles above sea level. Our hearts were pumping hard during that one, the elevation change was quick & relentless, &, again, there was way less oxygen than we’re used to. Once at the top, however, we quickly recharged & actually felt energized – gotta love that Rocky Mountain high!
At one stop, near what’s called the Lava Cliffs, as I was walking back to the RV something told me to look out into the valley. There was a small (at least, it looked small from our point of view) pond off in the distance. Using the binoculars, I spotted an elk grazing. Phil & Shaun were able to see it, too, but Kimi had a terrible time setting her sights correctly. Phil spent about 10 minutes trying to help her see it. Then I realized (without the binoculars) that there was another elk over there. Finally Kimi was able to focus on the correct spot & see both of the huge animals eating their lunch by the banks of the pond. We were now free to travel on!
As we passed through the Continental Divide, Phil & looked at each other & said, “What exactly is the Continental Divide?” Well, we looked it up, & discovered that it is the main water parting of any continent. In North America, the divide runs along the crest of the Rockies, from British Columbia, through the United States, and continues southward into Mexico and Central America. It divides the continent's principal drainage into that flowing eastward (to the Hudson Bay in Canada or to the Mississippi River) and that flowing westward (to the Pacific Ocean). See, always learning!
See our pictures: http://app.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/106186/!
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