Today we did a drive that Jeff planned out. We went on the interstate towards Denver, through the Johnson Tunnel (so cool and exactly like the Eisenhower tunnel which I discovered is just going the opposite way), and exited I think at Georgetown, which decidedly turned into my favorite drive of all two of the Colorado trips I've been on. First of all, Georgetown is quaint, neat, pretty, well kept, and just friendly. I loved it. It was nestled in the mountains like Ouray was only it wasn't very touristy. The road, oh the road, was just wonderful. They had timber guardrails and curbs! It was great! I loved driving up on a non-busy road going slowly and looking at everything. We got to see three mountain goats. One was a baby! That baby mountain goat could run up the side of the mountain and down faster than anything. It had so much energy!
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| I love picture. A river of aspens. |
We wandered up the road and came to a Clear Lake. It was beautiful! We had the kids fishing rods and some trout stink (I forgot the actual name...trout ball? trout powder? No idea.) Anyway, it was of course cool to us so we bundled up and tried it out. Zane got a nibble right away but then nothing. A couple of other people were there fishing and we learned it was a stocked lake. That was great. We moved around the lake because we were trying to get out of the breezy wind, and low and behold, a moose! It didn't have any horns and was happily munching on some kind of bush there. It was so neat.
We found the perfect spot and the kids got some nibbles but the rainbow trout were not biting at all. We could see them in the really clear water, but they just didn't want what we offered. We ate our lunch there and had a perfectly good time and then (after 3 hours!) decided to go on up the road. We tried to find another lake, but we didn't. Our goal was to go over Guanella Pass. So we went up up up and it was just perfect. The road was perfect, not busy at all and pretty soon we were there! They had bathrooms and a frozen lake and we met someone that had just made it back from Mount Bierstadt. He said everytime he goes to the top, it's worth it. We decided we would go to the frozen lake! We had to go over more snow and mud but Zane and Rachel made it! Turns out, we were in Mount Evans Wilderness Area. We could see Mount Evans, right by Mount Bierstadt. It was awesome.
After we made it back, we just kept going down this wonderful and perfect road and came to Pike National Forest where we checked out this most wonderful campground. It was first come first serve and was right by a river/creek. It was so beautiful. Flat with mountains all around and then you kept going into a more forested area. If we had had a tent, we would still be out there tonight. It was so cool. No fee, just bring your gear and have a good time. And your dog. Most everybody has a dog here, but thankfully we do not. haha
We finally left the road we were on in Grant, CO and turned toward Fairplay. We had to wait a good long time for a road construction one laner and it was getting toward supper. The kids had been really good, but I'd already given them two snacks and it was supper time. We ate a fast meal at Subway and hurried back to the car because a huge rain storm was covering the nearby mountain and we wanted out of there. We made it back safe and sound though and missed most of the rain.
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| This was at the pass. Daddy drew her outline and she put a smiley. :) |
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| Zane made a smiley face too. |
What a great day.
