We hiked from Bear Lake to Bierstadt Lake today. It was a nice day in the mountains for a hike. It was a two mile hike to the lake and then two miles to where our car was. We parked at the Park and Ride and rode the bus up to Bear Lake. Somehow we ended up at the Park and Ride place. Jim isn’t sure how that happened.
The bus was almost empty. I had been concerned about riding it due to the closed space and the virus but no worries. We didn’t have to wait long for the bus and were able to find a parking spot in the Park and Ride lot easily.
Once we got pass Bear Lake we didn’t run into many people on the trail. Occasionally someone would be coming down the trail but not often.
About 30 minutes into the hike I got the dry heaves. Not sure why I do that – this is the second time that has happened while hiking this trip. After I stopped and rested for a bit I was able to go on and it didn’t happen again.
I slipped and fell once but only scrapped my wrist a bit. Nothing else hurt but my pride.
The trail we hiked on was rocky in places. Reminded me of parts of the Camino. I had forgotten my hiking poles and missed them. Lucky for me most of the trail was down hill. I am terribly out of shape after being sick with C-Diff for so long. I made it though!
Bierstadt Lake is beautiful. We were entertained by some wood ducks that Jim fed some crackers to. There were three boss ducks that chased away the two little ones. They were fun to watch.
After we got back into the car we drove up Trail Ridge Road for a bit. We went to the salt lake area to see if the big horned sheep were there. Didn’t see any sheep. We did see a small herd of female elk with some babies and a couple of mule deer here and there. We didn’t see any moose today.
We then drove into Moraine Park and went down the trail in the car. Found a beautiful spot at the end of the trail where we could sit on a fallen tree limb and put our feet in the cool mountain stream. My feet appreciated the cool water. We must have sat there for 30 minutes or more. I think my favorite mountain spot is sitting besides the creeks and rivers that flow through the mountains.
Came home so we could get a pass for tomorrow. They release a limited number of them every afternoon at 5:00 for the next day. I missed out on the 9:00 pass but managed to get a pass for Bear Lake for 11:00 – 1:00. I want to drive up Fall River Road tomorrow but we will see what happens.
I fixed a crock pot of chili before we left this morning. I had a small bowl of it when we came back. It turned out OK. Nice to have dinner ready for us when we get ready to eat later.
Jim is taking a nap. We want to go out tonight after dark and find a place away from light pollution and watch the Persoid Meteor shower. Jim has been seeing a few the last couple of nights.
We are over halfway through our time here. Time will really go fast when Jim’s sons arrive Sunday. It will be so good to see them and get to spend some time with them.
My sister Kathy was going to come home in October for a week or so but due to the virus has had to change her plans. Damn virus anyways. I think she made the correct decision but it is so hard to not be able to gather with our loved ones again. I wonder how much longer this is going to go on? I’m starting to get concerned about the plans for Jason’s wedding the end of September. Maybe by then things will be headed back in the right direction.
Jim and I are both vaccinated but I still feel vulnerable due to my thyroid condition. This latest episode with my levels getting too low hasn’t helped my confidence that I would do OK if I got the virus. Guess we will have to play it safe and do the best we can to keep from getting it and go from there.
Jim and I had planned a trip to go to his 50 year college reunion the third week in October and then go visit his family in North Carolina. Not sure yet if we will be able to go or not. We may wait to the last minute to decide what to do. If the virus threat remains like it is now I won’t be able to go.
Grateful for a beautiful day to go hiking in the mountains, grateful to be able to put my feet in the mountain stream, and grateful for the wood ducks that entertained us for a bit today.