We are beyond excited to be fully vaccinated and traveling again! This time we’re headed to the last frontier… Alaska!
Everyone knows Alaska is massive, but how big is it?
It’s about 2½ times as big as Texas. Nineteen different states can fit inside Alaska. I know what you’re thinking… must be all the small east coast ones so let’s go with an area we’re more familiar with – the Midwest.
This wasn’t meant to be a geography lesson! It simply means we can’t see the whole state in 11 days! After a night in Anchorage we head north to Denali National Park and then south to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula. Follow along as we hope to see the Big 5 – grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep, the midnight sun, orcas (fingers-crossed) puffins and “Jeanne from Alaska”.
Our Airbnb has a wonderful covered porch overlooking a shaded backyard and gardens where we ate our breakfast, drank coffee and sipped tea. As we were enjoying the morning we started to hear music. We thought it might be coming from the park just out the gate of the backyard. After a little investigating we discovered it was coming from the backyard about 3 houses up the block. Either it was just a bunch of friends getting together to make some music or they were practicing their set for an upcoming concert. They were pretty good, and sang a variety of songs.
After breakfast we headed to Pearl Street. Part of it is a pedestrian mall with shops and restaurants. Because of COVID they have blocked off even more to allow restaurants to expand their outdoor seating. Most everyone was wearing masks outside as well as in the stores. We weren’t that interested in shopping and it started to rain so we headed back to our Airbnb. We really like the porch so we spend the afternoon out there placing bets on when the baseball season will end. Twenty percent of the games have been canceled this weekend because players keep testing positive. How long can they last?
Jason and Erin went to a cool restaurant with Nathan and Roya and thought we’d really like it so we made reservations for an outdoor table at The Acreage. It was a brewery only they made hard cider instead of beer, so technically not a brewery but I don’t know what else to call it. It was built on a hill with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the sunset. The perfect way to spend out last night.
Right now we are driving through nothing but ranch land as far as you can see and a straight road that reaches to the horizon. Seems like a good place for a prison, out in the middle of nowhere. There must be one somewhere because the signs along the road say “Correctional Facility. Do not stop for hitchhikers”. Don’t worry, we aren’t tempted!
It’s going to be a long drive home and back to the reality of the world. In the meantime we are going to pass the time playing the Initials Game and listening to the podcast, “The Dating Game Killer”.
Today was a bit of a down day. Jason and Jon are building a rocket with new (to them) technology, a thrust vector controlled rocket. The motors they need to fly it are in Colorado Springs. Instead of paying the hazmat shipping costs we decided to take a little trip to pick them up. They were very happy to see us since Jon and Jason bought a lot of motors!
Garden of the Gods is the #1 thing to do in Colorado Springs. It’s where the red rocks of the Southwest meet the mountains. You can drive through the park to see most of the big rock formations. You can also hike. As we drove through we noticed very few people wearing masks so we decided to stay in our car with the windows rolled up! Although it’s nature, it felt nothing like RMNP, seemed much more touristy.
On the drive back to Boulder we found a brewery with an outdoor patio. As we were enjoying our beer, we contemplated dinner options. Jon volunteered to cook steak to go with the bottles of Ledson wine we brought. It didn’t take much convincing for everyone to agree 🙂
Timed reservations are needed to get into Rocky Mountain National Park because of COVID. Once you’re in the park you can stay as long as you want and go wherever you want. Jason was able to get one for today, entry time 6-8am. Yup, it was another early day, RMNP is about one hour from Boulder.
We decided on a hike last night – it had to be rated as easy (the previous ones we’ve done were hard and moderate) so we knew right where we wanted to park to pickup the trailhead. Unfortunately at 7:30 the lot was already full. We didn’t want to take one of the shuttles even if they limited the number to 15. Nope, wasn’t going to happen. Luckily Jason spotted a few parking spots down the road. It would add 1/2 mile to our hike but we were all ok with that.
Here’s the route! If you add the extra 1/2 mile to our car it was a respectable 7 mile hike.
I mentioned before that we like mountain lakes. This hike included 4 – we overachieved! The entire hike was beautiful, we followed a river most of the time. There was only 695 ft elevation gain. It was also the most well maintained trail, so not a lot of climbing over rocks. We all appreciated that!
An appropriate socially distanced lunch. They are all looking toward a bonus lake. This one wasn’t even on the map!
After the hike we decided to try Trail Ridge Road – a mountain pass that takes you to over 12,000 ft. We tried it years before when we were in RMNP but a snowstorm forced us to turn around. This time we made it to the highest elevation but turned around because a thunderstorm was approaching. We did not want to be up there above the tree line when it was lightening. Maybe next time we’ll make it all the way across. Although I’m not sure the views are going to be any better than what we saw today. Spectacular!
Funny Stories from the Trail…
All this hiking can make you tired and unable to think clearly. One day after a long hike Jon was in a bit of a panic, I can’t find my shorts! I’m not sure how long he was looking for them when he says to me, I’m wearing them!
Like father, like son… At the house in Boulder, we were getting ready to leave but Jason was taking forever in the kitchen so Jon went to see what was going on. He was attempting to turn off the kitchen lights but couldn’t find the switch to one of them. Turns out it was a skylight, there was no switch 🙂
On the trail
Selfie time
These guys were very friendly
Nymph Lake
This is the exact same spot we took Jason’s graduation portrait
Dream Lake
Showing the parking lot, and Nymph Lake as seen from the trail
This guy has begging down
My favorite flower out west-Indian Paintbrush
Climbing Trail Ridge Road
Love the detail in this tree
Jason had a lunchtime visitor
Of course we’re playing the license plate game. We fond Hawaii at 12,000’ on Trail Ridge Road!
Are you awake? It was 5 am and Jon was awake making noise, hoping I was awake too. The skies were clear and he wanted to try again to see sunrise on the Maroon Bells. We knew from yesterday that you didn’t really “need” a parking pass. Nobody checks them that early in the morning. So reluctantly I opened my eyes and it was off to the races.
It was everything yesterday was not. Clear skies, a beautiful sunrise and some puffy clouds. Jon was giddy taking photos as fast as he could. Every time you looked the clouds changed. He would still be there if I hadn’t dragged him away.
We weren’t the only ones crazy enough to get up early while on vacation. I’m not sure they did it twice though 🙂
We couldn’t stay forever, we were picking Jason and Erin up and heading to Boulder for the next 4 days. It sounds like they had a great time with Nathan and Roya.
After the 4+ hour drive to Denver Jon wanted a beer… and Boulder is known for beer. Jason and Erin found a perfect brewery that also served food. We sat outside with plenty of space between tables. Our server was great and could be heard singing along with the songs on the radio. We all enjoyed our beer (mine was the best – Liliuok’i Kepolo tasted just like I was in Hawaii. I know it’s Denver but that’s what it reminded me of) and the food was great. As we sat enjoying the view of the mountains in the distance, we planned our hike for tomorrow. Will it be another mountain lake? You’ll have to check back and read about it.
We are now back at our AirBnB relaxing and watching Twins baseball. It’s the 1st game I’ve watched of this crazy season.
Most of tonight’s photos are (obviously) sunrise photos of the Maroon Bells. 🙂
-Jon
First light hitting the mountains, giving the Maroon color.
Back in Denver, we made it to the Broncos Pro Shop.
We tend to like hikes with a destination and lately that destination has been mountain lakes – whether it’s in Italy, Switzerland, or Germany. Colorado mountain lakes are just as pretty but much harder to hike to. In Switzerland we used gondolas and ski lifts to get to the top and then hike down. In Germany we took a boat. It Italy we took trains to avoid the climb up. In Colorado you use your legs to go up and up and up.
Because of this whole COVID thing we had to reserve a parking pass before we could go to Maroon Bells. Today was the day of our pass and it was the only day with rain in the forecast for the morning. It was about a 30 minute drive through the mountains to the parking lot. At 4:30 am, we were not the only ones there!
Luckily it was a short walk, in the dark, to Maroon Lake. We brought a bunch of warm clothes, hat, mittens and our rain jackets. We needed it all! The weather did not cooperate, it rained as the sun was coming up. I tried to tell Jon all the pictures he takes of mountain lakes have been beautiful, maybe it was time to try for a stormy, moody one. The weather didn’t really cooperate with that either. We would have loved some lightening bolts… was that really asking too much?
Our parking pass was good until 4:30 pm so we decided to stay and hope the weather improved. There was a hike to another mountain lake we wanted to do. So while we waited we decided to enjoy a little breakfast.
Maroon Bells are those 3 mountains you should be able to see. They are one of the most photographed places in Colorado. Despite the less than perfect weather it was a beautiful area. There were breaks in the clouds so we decided to go for it. The hike to Crater Lake. Now this isn’t the Crater Lake we had planned on hiking this summer. That one was is in Oregon. We had reservations to hike Wizard Island in the middle of Crater Lake but the National Park Service and COVID canceled that. Turns out the Crater Lake in Colorado isn’t half bad 🙂 It was an easier hike – 4 miles and only 694 ft. elevation gain (although it did feel like that gain was all in about 1/4 mile.) We got a little wet on the way back but made it to the truck just before the hail started.
I forgot to mention that just before the hail, the sun came out. Jon was able to take some pretty spectacular pictures of the Maroon Bells.
Pre-dawn long exposure
And then the clouds came in
This was the path all the way up
We see the lake!
Crater Lake
Wildflowers everywhere!
Sassy Patti made an appearance
We heart the Rockies!
I REALLY want to come back to Aspen in the fall. This would all be yellow.
Whipped cream, anyone?
The weather cooperated just as we were getting back from the hike. No maroon color that comes with sunrise, but not bad!
The pure mountain air, the whispering aspens and the solitude (and lack of any kind of news) are just what we needed. It definitely soothes the soul.
Today we drove across Independence Pass. It’s the highest paved mountain path in North America and passes over the Continental Divide. The road is steep, narrow, twisty and has only a few guardrails. It wasn’t the scariest road Jon has ever driven. The Road to Hana holds that distinction.
Of course there were a few stops…
The first one was the Grottos. It’s a hike to a cascades of waterfalls with interesting rock formations and ice caves along the way.
You can’t do this drive without stopping at the Continental Divide, the numerous scenic pullouts, the perfect place for a picnic lunch and ending at the highest town in Colorado. Check. Check. And check
You know those signs that say “Watch for Falling Rock”? Have you ever actually seen any? On our way back over Independence Pass to Aspen there were two huge boulders in the road that were not there before. By huge I mean the size of a small car. Huge. Ever wonder what happens to them? A snowplow plows them to the side of the road. I really wish I would’ve taken some pictures. But I’m not a photographer. The photographer was driving. My inclination is just to observe. It wasn’t until we were 1/2 mile down the road that I even though about it.
It’s early to bed tonight. Tomorrow we are getting up way before sunrise to see the sun rise on the Maroon Bells.
We packed our sandwiches, plenty of water and headed out the door by 8:00 today. We wanted to hike before the daily afternoon thunderstorm and Jon picked a respectable 6.5 mile hike to American Lake. The trailhead was about 30 minutes outside of Aspen. The drive was beautiful. It followed a mountain stream with multi multi million dollar homes perched on the mountain side.
Another advantage of an early morning start – we didn’t have to hike a mile just to get to the trailhead. We could park and start right at the trailhead. After ~1/2 mile of hiking we could’ve turned around. The first part was that beautiful. We would’ve been satisfied! We crossed a small stream and were in the middle of a forest of Aspens. Like nothing we’ve ever seen. If that wasn’t enough, a little more hiking and the forest floor was a field of blooming wildflowers. While we were standing there a hummingbird came right for my face. I mean I could hear his wings! I had a on colorful neckgaiter that I used as a mask on the trail. I think the hummingbird thought it was flowers. I might’ve let out a little scream – he scared me!
The entire hike to the lake was uphill. All 3 hours of it! We gained close to 3000 ft elevation. Plus we started at 9,000 ft. Our lungs weren’t quite used to the thin air. We took our time, rested and let all the younger hikers pass us. Everyone on the trail had masks or neckgaiters and put them on when they got close to other hikers.
I’m so glad we didn’t turn around after the Aspens. The lake was gorgeous.
On the drive back to Aspen, Jon thought a boggy, muddy section of the mountain stream would be a perfect for a moose. Guess what? There really was one! We also saw some big horn sheep and deer but sadly no pictures of those.
We are about to eat some dinner. We found a restaurant in town called Meat & Cheese so we ordered a meat and cheese board to go. It will go perfectly with the wine we brought from home.
*Note to self… 6+ miles of a mountain hike might be just beyond our limit. We are really really tired.
I do not recommend 2020! It’s a dumpster fire. We’ve had to cancel three vacations – Branson, the Pacific Northwest and Key West.
We had always planned to drive to Colorado to see Erin compete in a 1/2 Ironman triathlon. Of course, because of COVID19, that was canceled but the mountains were still calling so we hopped in the car with Erin and Jason in the backseat and headed south on 35. All we really wanted was to enjoy the fresh mountain air and hike. We figured we could safely social distance in the Rocky Mountains.
I’ll start by saying 13+ hours is a loooong time to drive in one day despite naps, podcasts, activity books (yes we are 5 years old!) and the Initials Game. Let me get this out of the way and say I’m not a fan of Nebraska. It’s flat, there’s nothing to see and it’s boring! The most exciting thing in the entire state is the world’s largest time capsule. Look at the pictures – you be the judge. It makes Iowa look like paradise.
We dropped Jason and Erin off with friends. Don’t worry we’ll pick them up again in a few days. Purely by accident we booked a hotel for the night in Old Town. Who knew it was such a cute area of Denver? They blocked off an entire section of town so restaurants could use the street for outdoor dining. They strung up lights all around and made creative signs to remind everyone to wear masks and social distance. They even allowed you to buy adult beverages to-go.
A quick walk to Old Town for coffee in the morning and it was back in the car. The next destination was Aspen where we would be spending the next 4 nights. Since I wasn’t driving I’ll say I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The views were spectacular! We stopped for lunch in Breckenridge. Again they blocked of Main Street to allow restaurants to expand their outdoor dining.
When we arrived in Aspen about 4 hours later, we explored the town until the rain chased us indoors. Luckily our airbnb is a condo with enough room to spread out and a kitchen for cooking. In Minnesota the 800 sq feet would sell for ~$100,000 in downtown St Paul. In Aspen it is currently on the market for $1.66 million! I am not kidding.
Halfway Round the Planet, Part 2 