Hanging Lake

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Dayphoto

After lunch we decided that we would go to Hanging Lake….a short drive out of Glenwood Springs going toward Denver.

The trail to Hanging Lake is plainly marked with a nice walking path to the trail head. We met many, many, many people either going up the 1.2 mile trail or coming back.

This is something I have always wanted to do, but we just never have. My parents did it when they were about my age, Momma was 63 and Daddy 66, they delighted in seeing this incredible natural wonder.

Several of Kelly’s friends had walked up to the lake so making the decision to go was easy.

If you are EVER in the Glenwood Springs Canyon area I HIGHLY recommend you stop, walk to the top and visit this amazing lake. The hike is free. You will not be alone as there are lots of people going up and coming down.

I took way too many photos so I’m going to only give you a tiny idea of the grandeur of this place.

There are 7 bridges and several water falls.

The two oldest grandchildren ran all the way up and all the way down. Tally walked both ways by herself, never once crying or asking to be carried.

We more than enjoyed the waterfalls

Some small and some large.

There are sign markers letting you know how far you have traveled

The closer you get to the lake the flora changes and you start to see ferns…which are rare in our part of the world.

Then suddenly you are there!

A magical world, making one think of fairies and elves and unicorns.

The water is so clear you can see the fish.

Not many people get to walk under a waterfall…but maybe, just maybe, if you are lucky you get too.

Back at the real world we were met with cars and roads and well, reality.

I encourage everyone to walk this short distance of 1.2 miles at least once in their life.

Linda

Train Ride

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Dayphoto

Yesterday, July 27, 2012, I booked a train ride for our youngest grandchild and her family, and Aunt Shannon to go to Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Tallen has been WANTING to ride a train….wanting, wanting, wanting.

So Terry and I thought….heck, why not!?!

We left the train station at 10:23 in the morning.
(This is the old station, but I loved the building and the charm. Too bad they don’t use it anymore.)

The trip took 1 hour and 45 minutes. Terry followed us by car—van–because the trip back was the next day. With irrigation there is no way we could spend the night, and for sure not because our irrigater (for when we are gone) was with us on the trip.

Terry put the water in a spot that must have 12 hours to get wet, off we went.

What a delightful way to travel! And cheap also…only $78 for seven of us, one way.

Blade enjoyed a short rest.

We kept track of Grandpa, but he couldn’t see us. All the windows were black to him.

Still there were hopes he would see us!

Terry said the train moved at a good clip…about 55 m.p.h. through the towns, and 70-75 m.p.h. on the countryside.

He met us as we unloaded.

Then off we went for a short stroll around Glenwood Springs and get a bit to eat for lunch.

After that we drove to the Hanging Lake turn-off for a hike to Hanging Lake.

I’ll tell you more about that in the next post!

Linda

Salida and the Zip Line

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Dayphoto

We got to Salida to go on our pre-arranged trip on the Captain Zipline tours, but while we were eating it started to rain! RAIN! We have not seen rain in our part of Colorado for months and months and not even a wet snow last winter.

So having this really neat rain was well WONDERFUL! The zip-line tour had to be canceled until the next morning at 9:30, but who cared! Salida got about 60 minutes of really nice rain. They told us this was the first good rain they have had in a very long time.

The next morning we were at the loading dock paid and ready to go…it’s a fifteen minute drive to the mountains and canyons where the zip-lines were located.

I thought I would NOT be able to do this…..attach myself to wire and fling myself off a canyon wall to zip over the wire to the next side of the canyon….but I did it!!!!

What a hoot!

We rode all seven (counting the bunny training line)!

The group we were with was lots of fun and our guides were very good. The whole thing was hugely fun.

I recommend it for everyone…and if you can’t stand heights…well, just keep your eyes shut!

I did for the first two…the last five were incredible!

When we got back into Salida it rained again…for 15 minutes. How delicious it felt!

We called Misty and asked if home got any rain.

No, no rain.

Not even a dark cloud.

While we were in Salida, a fire started close to home. That is the Pine Ridge fire at Debeque, Colorado. (Lightening caused)

Debeque is between Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, if you want to check it out on the map.

Many of you have asked how close that is to us…it’s about an hour and 15 minutes away…around 60 miles. Grand Junction is experiencing lots of smoke from the fire, but we are up the way…. East from Grand Junction, so we only see the smoke as it bellows over the mountains and canyons west of us.