Rocky Mountain National Park- Day 18

This morning we went for a hike. Tim was anxious to get going so the hike was not planned as well as it should have been which lead to a very long morning. We started from our campsite to the Cub Lake trail. It is a nice trail meandering through meadows with lots of wildflowers. We planned to hike the 2.5 miles and then there would be a shuttle to take us back… but once we go to the lake, there was no shuttle. We also had no map and we were running low on water when we found out from another hiker that we had to go another 3.5 miles! That was hard to swallow but that part was a lot nicer, mostly downhill, and shaded. We saw some nice waterfalls and walked next to the stream. Megan did cry most of the time again because of the forest but she made it. 4 hours later we were back at camp and I have never been so happy to have a drink! We learned some things, Megan and Noah have to bring their own water packs, always take a map, and plan ahead! The rest of the afternoon we just rested and hung around camp with a short jaunt to the visitor's center for the kids to get their Jr. Ranger badges.

After dinner we went to the ranger program and the topic was weasels. It was so creative, they put the weasel on trial to see if he was a guilty predator or not guilty because he is helpful to the environment. It was so cute and the kids loved it! We look so forward to our ranger programs; tomorrow night it is on beetles so we will be there yet again…it is our nightly entertainment!

The most magnificent gift from God came as I was sitting outside at 9 pm looking out from our campsite at the Rocky Mountains. All of a sudden I saw this orange glow come over one of the peaks and within 5 minutes the most bright, large harvest moon I have ever seen appeared. It was so beautiful I can't even describe it. Crowds were gathering in front of our campsite it was so amazing…we had the perfect view. What a great way to end the night!