Continental Divide at Panoramic Point

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Monday, June 7, 2010: We slept in this morning which made it feel like vacation had truly begun. It is just SO QUIET on this mountaintop! I have to say that I think we're closer to the airplanes than we are to any cars, except of course the few belonging to other campers staying in the campground right now.

Today we hiked the Raccoon trail located within Golden Gate Canyon State Park. This trail was only about 2.5 miles long, but it kicked our butts with the change in altitude that we have experienced. We did it, but we were slow! The trail itself was rocky and very dry so we were stepping carefully the whole way. Winter has just let up here so there isn't much in the way of wildflowers yet. Still, the aspen and pines are pretty and smell so good in sections. At the end of the trail, we took in the Panoramic Point view of the Continental Divide. The Rockies are so striking with their dark gray boulders and white snow-topped peaks!
This afternoon, we played four-square and took it easy for a few minutes before heading out to try to find a cache hidden in the park. This took us back to the same trail we had hiked earlier, but after getting about a half-mile down the trail, we decided to turn back. The GPS was trying to lead us almost straight up into some really rocky terrain that was off trail. We were a little leery since there were warnings about bears and mountain lions posted. Isn't that wild?! The ranger tells us they do have some bear activity in the area so following the "Bear Aware" guidelines is important.
Grace worked on her Junior Ranger booklet for this state park today and will finish up by tomorrow. She really has an interest in the great outdoors, especially as it relates to taking care of the earth. She hopes to teach someday, but after interviewing a ranger today, I think she might be inspired!
We're hanging out at camp tonight. The kids are entertaining themselves by chasing a chipmunk around our campsite. I think the little guy is having fun playing hide and seek with them. We're hoping for another day of warm sunshine tomorrow as we have booked a white-water rafting experience. -K

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Comments

[kimmartin]

do you miss the beach?
So with all this wildlife and beauty, do you miss the beach? We are cancelling our July beach trip due to the oil spill, so maybe we'll head west too because it sure sounds like fun! I can't believe you even thought you would be able to make a small scrapbook ahead of time. Seems like this trip will require the digital version, big mama 12 X 12 version, and the small-keep-at-your desk version. I can't wait to see the pictures. Grant looks forward to us reading your blog daily. He wondered when you were leaving Wyoming...sounds like a country song to me. Enjoy the rest of your time together as a family without any obligations or commitments. K

[Lisa Adkins]

happy vaca
Wow you guys are traveling the great frontier. Did you hook up with Dave? He is close to the downtown area and he'd be sad if you didn't at least hook for a meal. call me if you don't have his phone number. How long is this trip? And how weird is it you have been in ice and snow and we are melting back here. Continue your journey and contineu the great blog! Lisa

[kim martin]

perfect
Sounds like a perfect day!