Day 4: Gem Lake and Trail Ridge Road

(Edited:  I have had NO cell service since we got to Yellowstone on Monday night.  Occasionally, somebody has been able to receive a text but it's been so spotty, so these next few blog entries will be written and posted at times MUCH later than they occurred.  We just arrived at a hotel in Cody, WY and have Wifi for the first time in 5 days-- We weren't planning to come to Cody, but we nearly froze our buns off the last few nights in Yellowstone-- it was in the low 30's at night and we just did not have the camping gear to keep warm.)

Written about Sunday, July 3:

Today involved a 3.5 mile hike to Gem Lake.  The views along the way were gorgeous and the pictures don't do it justice (get used to me saying that a lot).....  

If you're brave enough, look closely and you'lll see my people climbing up there

The kids have done great with the hikes.  We hike about once a week in Nashville at Radnor Lake or Smith Park, but nothing as grand or inclined or at such high altitudes as we are here, so it's been surprising and a relief to see how well they have done with the physical demands.

After a quick stop at McDonalds to refuel we headed into Rocky Mountain National Park.  

We stopped at the Alluvial Fan first-- it is a massive waterfall/rushing water situation that was formed from a flood in the 1990's.  Again:  pictures that don't do it justice.

And at long last, the crowning jewel was a drive up Trail Ridge Road, the highest road in the U.S.  I believe we got up above 12,000 feet-- far above the tree line and saw lots of snow.  It was a white knuckle curvy road driving experience that I was not glad I participated in until the next day.  Once the adrenaline ("We're all going to die!") wore off, I could appreciate the views and the experience.  In the moment however, I was wishing I had been at the campsite with a book.

Here, let me show you a picture that won't do it justice:

Nice "guardrail", huh?

That's all she wrote for Sunday-- we have to pack up in the morning and get geared up for a long drive on Monday.

Jellystone Campers!  The Walshes (Denver), Brandows (Pasadena) and Livingstons (Nashville)