Rocky Mountain National Park 2005 Summer Tour

A view of Moraine Park

This trip turned out to be my second leg of my western mountain trifecta. Yumi and the girls were going to be in Colorado Springs so that Sabrina could compete in the National State Games for figure skating. Figuring we could all meet up in Colorado and check out the mountains, Yumi suggested that the boys and I meet her out there, making a family vacation out of it. Good idea.

We originally planned to leave seperately on the 27th of july: The girls flying out to Colorado Springs for Sabrina's skating competition while the boys and I drove out and hopefully get in a 2-night backpacking trip before picking up the girls and heading north to the park. Matt's two soccer teams (U-12 and U-13) were doing quite well and were likely to be playing on Saturday, July 30 in the league championship game. there was also the slim possibility of Todd and Nick's team making it to the finals so we thought it would be better not to plan anything for the guys only.

While shorter than I would have liked things worked out as I was able to take the missed three days and add that to the back end of my August Glacier backpacking trip. Plus the girls had been away from home for a long time, Yumi even longer with her unexpected trip back to Japan to be with her sister.

The weather definitely did not cooperate and my camera was malfunctioning---as you will see if/when you visit my photo gallery's. Sorry about that. A new camera is forthcoming. Overall there was something for everyone, with the exception of enough shower time and sunshine.

The only real downer for the trip was learning about the missing park ranger's death. Our sympathies go out to Jeff Christiansen's family and friends.