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We have now visited several of the crown jewels of the national park system, but I think my favorite will always be Rocky Mountain National Park.  While in Estes Park I had the opportunity to meet up with Cynthia and escape from the RV for a couple of nights.  We stayed at the Allenspark Lodge while Joseph and Amber were in the RV.  It is a wonderful lodge.  Cynthia and I have stayed there many times over the years.

The reason I like Rocky s much is because of the wonderful hiking.  Cynthia and I attempted to hike Deer Mountain for the second time, and for the second time we had to turn back because of thunder storms. 

The views from the top are supposed to be wonderful, but I am not sure I will ever see them.  On our first day, Joseph, Cynthia and I hiked along a mountain stream.

After Cynthia left, Joseph and I hiked around a lake and to a waterfall.

More views from Rocky hikes.

And you can't visit Estes Park and not see an elk wandering around town.

We are currently in Angel Fire, NM and will move on to Santa Fe before heading back to Texas.  Has it cooled down yet?

A Little Montana and A Little Colorado

After we left Glacier National Park, we spent several days in Helena, MT. which is the state capital.  Mountana has many charming cities.  Thought Missoula was our favorite, Helena is also a great place.  The highligh for me was the hike to the top of Mount Helena which is basically, right in the middle of town.  Several trails go to the top.  Joseph make it about half way before turning back, but I went all the way to the top. 

I had to take this picture of myself since there was no one to take if for me.  The scenery was wonderful on the trail going up the mountain,

and especially from the top.

A highlight of the stay in Helena was our boat trip to the Gates of the Rockies.  When Lewis and Clark were searching for the headwaters of the Missouri River, they encountered a section of the river which seemed to offer no way to continue, the cliffs seemed to create a gate.  But as the party neared the gate, it appeared to open and allow them to continue up the river.

 After Helena, we had planned to go to Bozeman, but had to return to Missoula because we lost the back brakes on the motorcycle and Joseph felt that they were important.  We stayed in a lovely RV park there.  The abundant sunshine and mild temperatures produce beautiful flowers.

We were on our way again and headed for Fort Collins, CO.  Of course it took a couple of days to drive through Montana and Wyoming, but our stay in Buffalo, WY made it worth it.  There is a steak house there which we ate at on our way to Montana and on our way back south which is positively the best.

 One of the reasons to stop at Fort Collins is to ride down the Poudre Canyon - another great motorcycle ride. 

And who can resist stopping to sit by a mountain stream.

Of course, Joseph was happy that day!