Sunday after sending the last letter, we stopped at the Moraine Park Visitor Center to ask questions and
an elk cow and bull walked right passed Olivia.
Each one climbed over the fence.That night we went back to the visitor center for a ranger talk about elks. As it happens this is the rutting season, During this time, the older males bellow, called “Bugling.” We sat on the edge of the parking lot with a view of the meadow below and about 100 elk grazing and bugling and learned all about what was happening. Cars and people were visible in all the parking lots and along the side of the roadways. As we drove into the campground we saw elk watchers up close. The Estes Park news caught an elk jam on video and sent it to CNN and they published it. Go to: www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-82158 and www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-81835 . Be sure to watch both.
Monday, Sept 15, Olivia woke up to see clear skies and immediately went to get the camera and take the sun rising on Long’s Peak. As she opened the door she slid out and down the steps. Again the same foot-toe injury. Other than the foot pain, she was okay.
She still took a picture, but it was not the quality she desired.After spending a while with an ice pack, we drove to Moraine Park Visitor Center for a nature stroll about the park, ecosystem, animals, formation, etc. The ranger was very entertaining. Then a short drive into Estes Park for coffee and firewood. After a nap, we drove back into Estes and to the Holiday Inn for Fred to watch the Cowboy’s game. The bar was fairly quiet and he had three TV’s all tuned to the game. After the half others started filling the bar. It was a crazy game and exciting. The Cowboys won, so all was right with the world.
Tuesday, Sept 16 Olivia cooked in preparation for Janet and Paula. Fred siliconed the rubber gaskets on the slide-out and we drove to Glacier Basin to scout out spots we could reserve in the future. We looked for spots we could fit into and also have a view. Olivia took a picture of the Front Range.
L to R Long’s Peak, Storm Peak, McHenry, Thatch Top, Taylor, Otis, Hallet’s and Flattop. THIS IS ONE BEAUTIFUL PLACE!
Paula and Janet arrived about 5 PM. 
After supper we drove down to the meadow to see the elk, and then sat around a campfire. 
They stayed in a two person tent next to the trailer. At bedtime Olivia could hear them giggling for a long time. A couple of times Olivia even laughed out loud, laughing at them. A side note to Kathy: Gertrude and Mabel had come to see them.Wednesday, Sept 17 brought
a couple of walks for Paula and Janet, and then we grazed for lunch and drove to
Bear Lake for a stroll around the lake seeing yellow aspen reflected in the water and 
Hallet’s and Flattop mountains.We then spent the afternoon in Estes Park in every t-shirt shop there. Paula enjoyed looking and buying Colorado, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain shirts including ones with elk on them. Supper was back at the trailer with tortilla soup and chicken burritos. Paula and Janet walked with the elk again.
Thursday, Sept 18 Paula and Janet attempted to hike to Cub Lake but were afraid they wouldn’t be back in time so turned around before reaching it. They broke the tent down and packed Janet’s car and she went back home for Michael’s freshman football game. Paula moved into the trailer and we took off for Trail Ridge, detouring through Estes Park for Paula to get a shirt like Olivia bought Fred the day before. We planned to take the Old Fall River Road, but to Fred’s relief it was closed, so we took Trail Ridge over the mountains.
Stopping at Many Curves Stop we looked at 
Long’s Peak through Aspen,
And looked down on the Alluvial fan created when a dam broke up the canyon and the water took all the boulders and debris into the floor of the Horseshoe Park.
We stopped at the Forest Canyon overlook. Paula was in awe of all the mountains and views. As we moved over the mountains above timber line it started to rain, then sleet, then snow and at the Alpine Visitor’s center it was lightening and cracking thunder while continuing to snow. We then drove over the continental divide and followed the headwaters of the Colorado River to Grand Lake. Heading back east we stopped when we saw people looking into the woods and saw Moose! Paula was so excited.
We watched several for about ten minutes and then the bull, cow and two calves came together for a family shot.All the way over Trail Ridge and back, Paula tried to take in all the views and
the snow by the road.When we arrived at Rock Cut it had quit raining so Paula and Olivia walked to the actual rock cut to get photos.
Olivia was proud of several shots.
We were then Estes Park bound again so Paula could get moose shirts and socks.
As we left the park there was an elk jam 
Olivia didn't even get out of the car to see this bull.
Friday, September 19 we lazily packed up 
said goodbye to Long's peak with new snow and headed to Loveland through the Big Thompson Canyon so Paula could see it, then south to Janet’s. We found a parking spot across the street from them and enjoyed meeting Michael, Eric and Mark. Janet’s boys and husband. Eric had a high school football game and all but us went to the game. We stayed at the house and enjoyed a bathtub! This was Olivia’s 2nd bath since leaving Waxahachie. Fred says she does shower daily! She really enjoyed sitting in the hot water and feeling spoiled!
The sunset over the Rockies was beautiful from their upstairs bedroom.Saturday, September 20 Janet took us to the Pearl Street Mall to see
the crazy’s and she was disappointed there was only one, but we enjoyed seeing their
spray water fountain in a small scale that would work in downtown Waxahachie.
Also a rock playground that would also work at home.
After taking family pictures of Fred Olivia Janet and Paula
And Fred Olivia Janet and Mark we left to drive across town to Charlie and Mary Alice Jackson’s home. 
This was the biggest parking challenge we have had on the whole trip but finally ended up backing up partially into their driveway and extending way out into the circle drive. We enjoyed supper with them and a nice visit.
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