We are up early and packed ready for our journey over the Rockies on the highest continuously paved road in the USA.
It's a beautiful day.... we do have other clothes - honest!
We stopped several times on the way up.
Longs Peak was named after Major Stephen Long, who led an army topographic expedition to the region in 1820.
As we climbed we could see it more clearly.
Looking back at the road we have travelled, at about half way up.
Above the tree line is the Tundra.
No walking allowed here as it is preserved.
The National Park do a brilliant job of providing places to view. This is Forest Overlook.
Now we are level with the snow... at the highest point of 12183 feet.
Slightly below we are pleased to see the Visitor's Centre.
Nearby we spot elk grazing.
After a welcome cup of tea and coffee we travel on to the Continental Divide.
This is Lake Poudre.
And just along here in a boggy meadow are the beginnings of the mighty Colorado River.
High altitude beetle.
We didn't get to see a bear, except for a few hundred cuddly ones in the shop.
Hannibal cruised easily down the mountain on the other side to the village of Grand Lake....
.....Hannibal does not need GPS to find quilt shops!
This one had an impressive collection of Jim Shore figurines. His wife is a quilter, hence the patterns.
It is a lovely shop.
We have a picnic by the lake watching a regatta.
Then we decided to save time by travelling along an unmetalled back road to Glenwood Springs. Therese would approve, no doubt we are following in her footsteps!
It was very dusty and stony but well worth the effort.
The Colorado River travelled with us.
We watched kayakers practising shooting the rapids.
After a few miles we discover the Yarmony Grass bluegrass festival. Music on the banks of the Colorado River. Heaven!
The Colorado Hotel in Glenwood Springs is easy to find as it is huge.
Did we book this?
A stroll to supper, past the biggest swimming pool we have ever seen......
Over the lovely Colorado River.
Nite!
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