Two Firsts for Me

Last Wednesday, I experienced two things that in all my years coming to Colorado I have never experienced.  I completed a "moderate" hike to a beautiful mountain lake.  It was absolutely breathtaking.

Uncle Michael, Uncle Gerald and I set out from Denver to the Indian Peaks Wilderness by Nederland northwest of Denver.  It took us about an hour of curvy roads to get there.  (I have discovered that I have a tendency to carsickness, so Dramamine has become my good friend.)  The online guides warned of four miles of unpaved road to get to the trail head.  They did NOT however indicate the treacherous rocks that were present all along that road.  I think it took us almost half an hour to get from the pavement end to the trail head.  Michael did an excellent job of dodging the rocks.  We were wishing for a much higher profile vehicle!

The hike is an "out and back" hike which means we followed to same trail to the lake and back.  Basically, we went up one side of a valley, then down to cross a stream, then up the other side to the lake.  The hike is a little over 5 miles total.  We counted more than 30 streams that we crossed along the way.  Hikers that we met coming back from the lake as we were going up kept encouraging us that it was all worth it.  And they were very right!!!  I'll let the pictures speak of the beauty.

The path was pretty rugged.  Lots of rocks and tree roots required constant attention to where you put your feet.  I was glad to have a hiking stick to help keep balanced.

This interesting tree was along the path and just begged to have pictures taken with it.

As we neared the lake, we crossed a marshy bog.  Thankfully, the forest service has laid out these wooden posts to walk across.

The path went right through this fast moving stream.  We made it across both going out and back, but it did require balance and concentration.

Here is the "stream" at the bottom of the valley.  It is amazing how loud the water is as it rushes across the rocks.

One of the views across the valley.  You just don't see this in Iowa :-)

This is Diamond Lake.  Pictures just can't do justice to the size and beauty of the lake.  We watched a couple of hikers climbing on the rocks across the lake.  That would have elevated the hike from "moderate" to "very difficult".  Don't think I'm quite ready for that!

We sat on the rocks beside this stream to enjoy our lunch.  This is one of the streams that feeds into the lake.  An unbelievable lunchtime view.

No hike would be complete for me without pictures of the wild flowers along the path.  Lots and lots and lots of blooms this time of year.

This was a truly memorable hike.  The mountain lake was well worth the exertion to reach it.  The water is amazingly clear.  It was a bit windy when we were there, so it's difficult to see the clarity of the water from the pictures.  We did a lot more climbing -- up and down -- then on the other hikes I've been on.  The guides list this as a "moderate" as opposed to "easy" hike, and my calves would certainly affirm that!!!  I will say that I could feel the exertion for a couple of days after the hike.  I'm also ready to do more of these hikes!

As to the job search, I interviewed for a job in Colorado Springs last week.  I was told that they would make a decision about the job tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.  I think it would be a good fit for me.  It would allow me to stay out here and take more of these hikes!!!  You'll have to watch for an announcement -- or listen for the scream.  Headed back to Iowa late this week to help Dodi celebrate turning 50.  All four of the Olson kids will be together for the first time in 2 1/2 years.  I am so looking forward to seeing everyone.  Later......Cindy

A Hiking We Will Go...To Mayflower Gulch

Early one recent Wednesday morning, I drove to my uncles' apartment in Denver.  The three of us then ventured up I-70 to a place called Mayflower Gulch.  For those of you familiar with Colorado geography, this is close to Frisco and Copper Mtn.  This is a beautiful hike through the trees to an abandoned mining camp surrounded by a rugged range.  My uncles had tried to hike here about 3 weeks before we went, but the snow was so deep that they actually were meeting skiers rather than hikers.  Thanks to some "hot" weather, the snow had melted significantly.  We were able to really enjoy the hike.  I am constantly reminded of the beauty of nature in this part of the country.  This is a major factor in my desire to relocate to Colorado.  I hope you enjoy these photos of our day.

The view through the trees as we followed the road to the camp.

This little chipmunk was the only wildlife we came across.

A stream flowed down from the surrounding mountains and out of the gulch.  The road followed the stream.  Unfortunately, a picture doesn't carry the sound of the running water.  It is so relaxing.

Here are the peaks at the back of the gulch.  If you look carefully in the first picture, you can see the abandoned buildings.  We walked up in this area to have lunch -- what a VIEW!!!

This is the lunch time view looking back to where we started.  Absolutely breathtaking.

A few years ago, Mary Jo, the uncles and I actually hiked up and had lunch on this ridge.  We opted not to traverse the snow that was still present.  We did watch (through our binoculars) some other hikers that did cross the snow.

This was a group of "baby" trees among the "adults" trees.

One of my favorite things to do is take pictures of the wild flowers.  Here were some that were already blooming.

Uncle Gerald is really NOT that much taller than me.  He is cheating and standing on a rock.

Uncle Michael is really even taller than me as I took a page from Gerald's book and cheated by standing on the rock :-)

Time to head back to the car -- actually I was in search of coffee and a bathroom!!!  A great, great day.

The BIG MOVE

It's hard to believe that a mere week ago we were loading a U-Haul in Boone -- 700 miles away.  As I look around the apartment, most of the "stuff" has found a home.  I plan to tackle the bedroom -- actually my sewing/office room -- this weekend.


I discovered many, many heroes during this experience.  First, Rick and Vicki Gustafson helped immensely by taking me to Ames to get the U-Haul and drove it to my house.  My Boone truck packers were Ray Bishop, Gary Beer, and Dave Springer.  They worked miracles getting all my "stuff" into the U-Haul.  To be honest, Vicky Beer, Deb Todd, Marty Lamoreaux, Cindy Cory, Majook, Mary Jo Martin, and myself were skeptical that there was any way they were going to fit everything.  But they did!!!  Of course, my sister, Dodi, and brother-in-law, Dennis, showed up just as the back door was being closed -- no worry they got their exercise the next day in Denver.  Dodi, Dennis and I (as well as Professor and Skipper) took off from Boone about 8 pm and drove to Omaha to stay overnight at my brother, Greg's.

Marty Lamoreaux, Gary Beer and Majook help with the loading.

Deb Todd and Vicky Beer helping out.

All loaded!!!

 Early the next morning, Greg, Dennis, Dodi and I (and the cats) headed west.  The journey was without incident, and we arrived at my apartment about 5:15 pm Friday afternoon.  Greg and Dennis started right in unloading.  Two young men, Trevor and Spencer, who attend the church I have been going to volunteered to help.  I believe it was Trevor whose first question to my brother was "How many couches are there?".  My brother informed him that there weren't any.  Little did Trevor know there were a few boxes of books that weighed more than a few couches!!!  My uncles, Michael and Gerald, also came to lend their assistance.  I was totally, totally amazed that the entire U-Haul was unloaded by 7:15 pm!!!!!  Uncle Michael picked up Mary Jo at the Denver airport about 9:30 pm.  All was well.

Trevor and Spencer still smiling after the truck was emptied.

I think Dennis was perspiring a wee bit!

Greg and Gerald did their share of sweating as well.

After the truck was unloaded and the living room was somewhat arranged, Dodi, Professor and Skipper decided it was time to relax a bit.

Saturday morning, MJ and I puttered around trying to make some order out of the chaos.  MJ was invaluable in her organizing of the kitchen.  Greg, Dodi and Dennis joined us late morning.  We opted to play, since we had worked so hard the day before.  We went to the Denver pedestrian mall for a late lunch, shopping, people watching and supper.  Uncles Michael and Gerald joined us for the people watching and supper festivites.  Greg boarded the train for Omaha about 7 pm.  Dennis and Dodi drove off early, early Sunday morning.

MJ, the kitchen organizer!

Dodi and Dennis as we have a late, light lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.

Greg and Mary Jo on the patio at Hard Rock enjoying the food and the people watching.

Girls just want to have fun!!!

Mary Jo, Dennis and Dodi One Mile Above Sea Level.

Michael, Gerald, MJ and I decided to take a drive up into the mountains on Sunday -- one of our infamous mountain journeys.  We had a great lunch at Beaujo's in Idaho Springs.  I dropped MJ off at the airport about 6:30 pm for her 8:30 pm flight.  If you follow her on facebook or twitter, you'll know that she didn't get out of Denver until almost 1:00 am followed by driving from Omaha to Boone after she landed -- but that's her story to share!  I am just so glad that she was able to see the apartment and share the weekend with me even though it ended in a travel "nightmare" for her.

Uncle Gerald, Uncle Michael and Mary Jo after our lunch in Idaho Springs.

So now I'm here; the cats are here; and my "stuff" is here.  I've spent a lot of time trying to get things sorted and put away with some good success.  Once everything finds its place, I'll post some pictures of the end result.

I can't ever say THANK YOU enough to everyone who helped get me here!!!  I felt so loved by all the helpers!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Where there's smoke......

Wildfire Season has Arrived.

The Front Range has been in the national news the last two days because of wildfires that have broken out.  One is northeast of Colorado Springs (south of me).  It has burned a number of homes and displaced lots of people.  Yesterday afternoon it occurred to me that I might be able to see the smoke plume.  Indeed it was very visible from my balcony.  This afternoon I couldn't see it, but that was because the wind had shifted and the plume was now over us.  I walked out the door to get the mail and experienced the unmistakable odor of fire.  This is definitely not something we experience in Iowa.  There is also a fire by the Royal Gorge and on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Those who have visited the Royal Gorge will be relieved to know that the bridge was not damaged although a couple of visitor buildings were destroyed.

The smoke plume as viewed from my balcony.

A Great Hike or Mountain Lions, Black Bears and Rattlesnakes?

This morning I went to Roxborough State Park southwest of Denver to hike and enjoy the great Colorado outdoors.  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.  I hiked for about 2 hours through the park.  The paths I was on were labeled easy and moderate, but I was certainly wiped out when I got back to the parking lot.  I truly questioned my choice to hike when I saw the signs announcing that I was in Rattlesnake Country!  And the information board described what to do if a hiker encountered a mountain lion or a black bear!!!  But the beauty and the challenge overcame the trepidation.  I'm happy to say that the only wildlife I encountered were grasshoppers, crickets, butterflies, and a lone deer.

 Amazing outcroppings and scenery

The house at the end of the path.  Unfortunately it is only open one Sunday afternoon a month, but I could peak through the windows.

 The path went through scrub oaks.  The shade was very refreshing.

This deer (look closely) was the only large wild life I saw -- thankfully!

  

The flowers are already blooming!!

But It's a Dry Heat?

Denver set high temperature records the past two days!!!  Yes the humidity is only at 10% or so, but honestly 100 degrees is stinking HOT with or without humidity.  I'm so thankful for air conditioning.

Discoveries...

I'm still trying to familiarize myself with the area and am happy to announce the following discoveries.

a sidewalk mailbox (to send letters to Iowa)
The Aurora Public Library (for which I now have a library card)
Barnes & Noble (just down the street from the library)
Cold Stone (across from B&N)
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (my gluten free family will appreciate that one)
a cute little knitting/quilt shop

Meanwhile, the job search continues without anything significant to report.  Hope all is well with all of you.  Cindy