As I entered my blog last night and then re-read it again this morning to make corrections I was inclined to want to elaborate on our trip to Estes Park... I even began to add and then thought better of it. I deleted what I had added and thought what a waste to do that on a blog already submitted when I could enter the thoughts of the trip into today's blog instead!

Then I get the sweetest comment sharing such exact memories that belong to someone else. With little more consideration, I realize that this is in fact what I needed to write about tonight!

As we drove up I asked my co-pilot (my Mom) if we should take the standard route to Estes or the Glen Haven route. She opted for the Glen Haven road that takes you to the upper far side of Estes a ways above the world resound Stanley Hotel.

It is a bit further than the other way and as I began up the familiar roadway, seeing the snow on the shady side of the mountain I wasn't sure this was a wise idea, remembering the fact that there are some serious switch back curves before reaching the crest of the mountain. However, I continued on and figured if it was so bad we could just go slower. However, the twelve or so miles up the road found the hills covered in sunlight and completely clear of the snow from earlier in the week.

Before one crests the mountain just past those hair pin curves you are surrounded by rocks, steep mountain sides and trees. It is true; the only way to see anything other than what densely surrounds you is to look straight up. However, at the very top, as you come over the top it is as if you were suddenly exposed the very heart and soul of God himself. It has to be one of the most magnificent sights I have ever had the pleasure of viewing first hand. It's beyond breath taking and I can scarcely remember a time that I haven't seen the cars that are passing by stopping to take pictures against the back drop of the mountain scene. I wish I could explain it, but it is beyond words. You feel that you must be very close to the top of the world and it has to be ever so close to Heaven!

The kids are generally even impressed with the views and that is going some for teenage boys who have been raised in Colorado!

So, then it is we drive down into the valley and turn onto the highway that runs up above the town itself and heads toward one of the gates of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Before arriving at the gates of the park which are obviously still closed for the season, there is a visitor’s center. We stop for a stretch and bathroom break. Inside one cannot simply walk in and out without noticing the wide array of gift and miscl items that you will seldom find down on the flat lands of Colorado. I could spend a fortune in this store and wonder why I don't think to go Christmas shopping there.

We leave and walk to the visitor’s information building, but unfortunately still early on in the season, the doors are only open on weekends until May.

It's back in the car and on our way down toward the town or more like village of Estes Park. We reminisce again about the times we delivered yellow book phone directories in the area a few years back for extra Christmas money. It was a blast with the kids who were helping us and the things we experienced in the process.

The delivery days were in the fall. A time of year that the wildlife is at it's prime. Coming off of a full season of plentiful grass and all that enhances their rustic and beautiful coats, the elk and deer are majestic in their appearance! But even growing up in a mountain community of Colorado where the elk herds were known of, I had never in my life had the opportunity to witness a bull elk bugling! Nor had my mother... That is until that eventful delivery saga of our lives. Just having a reason to drive back on all these private drive ways and remote areas that we would never have accessed otherwise was an experience, but the best part was that is where it all took place. So it was we spent one full day in what felt like a track to follow a herd of elk and deer - the elk came first and the deer were about a half mile or so behind them. They went up and then back down this range we suspect for grazing and then back for water at the river below. But who knows for sure? First we heard it and wondered if what we heard was in fact a bull elk bugling...But unsure still. It was in a private drive that the herd passed by us once more and the daddy of em' all or so we thought at the moment was standing there, no more than twenty feet or so in front of our vehicle with his head back so far his antlers rested on his back. It is a sound like no other and again is but one more thing in this region of God's country that defied words!

So, onward we go, making out way up and back down. We saw a small herd of mule deer that were uninterested in entertaining us. Then a herd of mountain sheep that honestly we rarely see up in this area though I knew they are there. On the way through Estes proper we made our way to the middle of town and up the hill and out of town the other direction toward the other gate, on the same road as the YMCA camp/resort. The stories continued as we laughed smiled and watched for wildlife sightings headed upward. This side of the park only offers a camp ground and more views from a slightly different angle. This place brings back more memories of a time I made the trip by myself. I recall standing outside the car, there was no one in sight, no other cars, no noise, nothing but me in the presence of God. I swear to this day he encircled and embraced me in the Chinook winds that were blowing that day. Though they were bringing in a storm they felt so warm and embracing to me in that moment. I knew I was in his presence in some inexplicable way.

We spotted a herd of elk at last. They stood with their coats looking moth eaten by the shedding of their once beautiful winter coats, somewhat slighter than they entered the winter several months earlier. There they stood staring back at us as though we were the attraction and they were the tourists.

The most amusing sight was a magpie bird landing on the back of one of the elk. He wasn't pecking at any sores or anything like that. No, this bird simply appeared to be warming his feet on the cooperative elk's back. The bird was still there when we drove on, but most amazingly he was still a top the same elk when we came back down the road. It was a picture perfect moment when the elk turned her head all the way around and looked at the bird as if to talk to it, though she didn't shoo it away, nor did it leave on its own accord. As they walked on the bird was happy to be her traveling partner. Amazing how God makes a way for nature to co-habitat in such a way.

Next drive around was through the YMCA resort area. It's a fun place to even drive through. We stopped and had a picnic here with the boys last summer and always enjoy seeing the hum of activity that fills the air just above the quiet of this mountainous region. I smile at the thoughts as I recall the movie Dirty Dancing when I see the sign for employee housing across from the horse stable some distance away from the guest cabins.

At last we head back to the village town of Estes once more. We see yet another herd of elk and deer on the way. We opt for Subway and turn back to go to the one in town. Why that one? You see, several years ago, I do mean several, as back in the early 90's we were showing our horses at the "Colorful Colorado Horse Show". It was an incredible show with the dramatic back drop of the region and offered qualifying classes for Palomino, Buckskin and Quarter Horse registries. It was a divine show for all intensive purposes. I'm not sure what happened with this placement, but sadly the show is now held in Colorado Springs in place of Estes. But on one of those years, I recall my Mom and I arriving late one night before the show was to begin the next day. We were starved and the only thing open was that little Subway shop in town. It has long since been remodeled and looks nothing the same, but it's always nice to recall such good memories.

By the time we were done with lunch it was time to make the trek back down to the flat lands, to the place we call home. It was a nice day and left the boys ready to snooze most of the way back.

I'm sure that I have not done the scenery or the trip justice by my words which could not possibly convey the wonders that one witnesses in such a day trip, but it does offer a small glimpse into the world of wonder as I see it.