288.365 {2017} Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

Jamie and the girls started the day getting donuts at the Donut Haus. They were SO delicious and they drove around Estes Park and saw load of elk around town too.

We then drove to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

We first stopped at the Visitor Center for the girls to get their Junior Ranger booklets and get oriented.  Jamie spent many of his childhood summer vacations traveling to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park as well.  He has so many fond memories here and his mom loved the Colorado mountains too.  

A lot of the park was actually closed for the season.  It was still very very busy this weekend and parking tended to be a challenge at times.  We took the shuttle to Bear lake and took a hike there.

It was a chilly morning but beautiful blue skies and sunshine helped warm us!

We got into a few icy areas on the trail and some little waterfalls were also frozen.

Juliette trying to identify the tree needles on the hike to see if they matched.

We stopped for lunch and made a picnic near this grassy area.

Sheep Lakes area

There weren't many aspens still with fall color on them but we happened to find a very small grove with them.  I can't imagine how ablaze this area would have been with the bright aspen leaves a few weeks ago!

Alluvial Fan

The girls had such a fun time in this area scrambling along the rocks.  The day actually warmed up quite nicely and the views were spectacular.

287.365 {2017} Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park

This fall break brought us to beautiful Colorado!  We took an early flight to Denver, rented a SUV for the week and drove to Estes Park.  We arrived and checked in, had a late lunch in Estes Park and then drove to Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was blustery with flurries when we were walking through the town but seemed much calmer although still windy and bone-chilling cold!

West Horseshow Park

Early to mid-October many of the roads close due to weather in the park including the Fall River Road.  

After driving for awhile through the park we went back to Estes Park and had dinner at the condo there.  

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Our annual apple picking was so fun with this rambunctious crew!  The sun came out for the afternoon and warmed up the day!  We love the Guffey family and our kids are always planning out the next time they can see each other before we leave!  Our lives are so busy and full but I am glad we can schedule a brief get together to see one another!

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Halloween costume fits!  She couldn't wait to try it on!

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Breakfast for dinner!!!  Allie loves to cook and was channeling her favorite pancake maker (Grandma Koss) tonight.  She said that hers were fabulous but Grandmas always taste better!  :)

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E-day eve

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 Love that these girls spent so much time outside and using their imaginations still!  They are secret detectives in case you didn't gather that from their walkie talkies, lipstick and Izzes.  ;)  

 Meanwhile...Miss Juliette stayed inside and practiced piano!  She is doing so well and enjoying it so much.  I am sure Grandma Trafton is smiling from heaven knowing that another great grandchild is playing on her mother's piano.