Sept 25, Day 3

Left Ft Collins and drove through Estes Park out to the Rocky Mountain National Park, up the old Fall River Road, down the other side of the divide to Grand Lake village, to Granby and up to Walden. We have now driven 900 miles. The drive up Thompson River Canyon was beautiful as always. Saw a few elk as we went by the Estes Park golf course. Nothing in sheep basin as we headed to the old road. Old Fall River road was very beautiful. What can one say if you haven’t been there. Herd of Elk in the basin below the summit. Saw Marmots, ground squirrels, lots of chipmunks, a coyote, some mule deer, and yes we saw MOOSE. Three of them. One large cow or might have been an anterless bull but don’t recall their status this time of year but I think the bulls are in full antler now. That was in the Arapaho Wildlife Refuge. On the way back to Walden, we decided to go east of town a ways as there are some willows and streams out there. Luckily spotted a cow and her calf back in the willows. Don’t know if we got photos of them or not. The other one down south came out of the willows on the run and there was no time to get a photo. We are tired but having a great time.

It is sad to see so many dead pine trees everywhere. However, the aspens are absolutely gorgeous. From green to yellow to gold to red, sometimes all on one tree. Fabulous.