Days 44 & 45 Rocky Mountains and Boulder

Today we went to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. When we drove in, it was on a scenic highway with tunnels going through the mountains. We saw loads of flowers, trees, rivers, and mountains. It was really pretty. Then we switched onto a different scenic road that is the highest continuously paved road in the world. It got up over 12,000 feet in elevation. I could see for miles in every direction and tiny rivers below. Speaking of tiny rivers, we took a hike out to the beginning of the Colorado River. Pa and I were brave because we down a slope and walked in the rocky riverbed. The river was COLD! It was hard to believe this tiny beginning of a river would soon carve the Grand Canyon and provide power through the Hoover Dam. We made some other cool stops on the road before going to Bolder, where we stayed for two nights.

The next day, we went on a 4 mile hike to four lakes at Rocky Mountain National Park. The first lake was called Nymph Lake and was full of flowering lily pads. The next was called Dream Lake. The lake had crystal clear water and lots of fish swimming around in it. The next lake was called Emerald Lake. It was very rewarding to get there. At Emerald Lake, we sat on boulders and enjoyed the view and the breeze. It was spectacular! We began the hike at about 9,500 feet and the trail went up from there. Going down was much easier and faster than going up. Then we went to Bear Lake. It was a small lake, but really pretty.

When we got back to Boulder we went to Pearl Street. That is a street in downtown Boulder that you can’t drive on. There were street performers, lots of shops and we went to the Cheesecake Factory. My favorite store was Into the Wind. It had wonderful kites and toys and I spent hours in it. I even skipped the cheesecake dessert to go back and play some more!