Rocky Mountain Park- CO

While staying in Estes Park, we took a day trip driving through Rocky Mountain National Park. It really was a lot of fun, what a week to go from temperatures in the 100's when we left Texas to snow in July. Wow!

While at the top, you see a wall of snow and a fantastic gift shop. Annie's highlight of the day trip. The children enjoyed some hot chocolate and a cookie while looking out at the elk high on the mountain.

When we started our trip up the mountain we passed an older gentleman riding his bicycle up the winding rode. We would pull off at a stopping point, take some pictures, get back on the road and pass this same man. This must have happened 4 or 5 times. It became a little funny to us. After we left the gift shop and started our decent to the other side of the mountain (where the moose are), we passed this same man coming to the gift shop. Impressive! Not sure I could do that ride now or ever! 

One of my favorite things on this trip is that I could see my children's love for photography start to blossom. Both children shared Ben's camera, and Annie even took some photos with my Nikon. Hoping they grow up to see the beauty in things as well!


We played a little game in the car (to keep the children entertained) where if you found an animal that we could take a picture of and it was the first time we saw the animal, then you received $1. A black bear pays $2, which we never saw. It is very important when you play this game that you have the rule of "being able to take a picture of the animal". You would be surprised at how many animals are "there" until you turn around to look. Some rare animals as well. Like elephants in the Rocky Mtns!

Max decided to take it to the next level, by pulling two loose teeth out so the tooth fairy would give him some money. The tooth fairy had a hard time finding our cabin, so she had to leave the money with the manager at the camp store. His face beamed when she gave him the tooth fairy money. It was sweet! He is highly motivated by $$, and we were returning to Jellystone where they have a great camp store which sells glow sticks. As you can see below, we saw a lot of animals and both children earned a couple of dollars to spend. 

Ben took most of the pics of the animals below. You should have seen him going out into the field to be one with the animals. Max went with him a couple of times, and he was more impressed with the size of scat that comes from an elk. Ben looked like he should be employed by National Geographic. It was hysterical! 

We had a great day and it was nice to return to Estes Park for one last night.