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The idea was simple. Instead of striking north to Isle Royale and Voyageurs national parks right away, I’d stay in the south and see the [tag]Rockies[/tag]. That way, I’d avoid the cold and let spring happen in the north. Well, it was a good idea.

I carefully drove through Estes Park, CO, successfully avoiding the road construction and the elks. Yep, elks in downtown Estes Park. Not just one or two, but ten elks, chomping on the nicely manicured grass outside of the high school. I had much less luck avoiding the snow flurries crossing the road as I entered [tag]Rocky Mountain National Park[/tag]. So much for my idea of avoiding the cold.

At the visitor’s center, I swapped stories with the volunteer ranger who used to be an computer guy – back when mathematicians were the sole users of computers. The idea of becoming a park ranger is sounding more and more interesting – and since I’m already sorta retired, it all works out. Have to do something about the volunteer part, though. Guy’s gotta eat.

But I drove through dense clouds and snow, only to be met by a huge, snow and elk covered field. Seriously, there must have been 50-75 elk out there in various groups. Absolutely beautiful and amazing to watch them graze around and interact. The Trail Ridge Road was still closed, so I couldn’t access the high country, but I amused myself by trying to take pictures of fog. No real success. But while I was sitting there, snapping pictures of this creek when this little pintail duck comes cruising towards me. This duck was on a misison. It wasn’t feeding, but swimming as fast as it could downstream, right past me by ’bout three feet, and then off into the distance. I tried to tell the guy he could fly, but I guess he had his reasons.

I also hiked out to The Pool on the Fern Lake trail and enjoyed the views of the mountians and, whadda ya know, more [tag]elk[/tag]. Just before dark, I finally propped myself against a tree to wait for the elk to come up the hillside. It was amazing to see them softly padding across the dry grass and they came close enough that I could hear them ripping the grass from the ground and chewing. For such large animals, they sure are quiet, unlike the bear I heard in the Smokies.

I stayed that night at the Moraine campground where it rained, sleeted and snowed all evening and night. But I was dry and warm, even though the outside temperature was below freezing. Next morning, I pulled up stakes, and headed north to South Dakota and Wind Cave. See ya!