Estes Park in September

We just can't seem to stay away from Estes Park for too long. This year, we deemed that it had been long enough.

Still back in September...
I flew from Seattle to Denver. Then Joe and the kids drove up from Albuquerque and picked me up on their way to Estes.

This photo spot in the middle of town is now a tradition.

Also in the middle of town is the kids' favorite monkeying-around place.

Ham bone

The boys' backs just don't seem to bend as well as the girls' do.

We had to wait for the snow to stop and road to open before we could drive Trail Ridge Road.

In the clouds

Made it to the Alpine Visitor Center

A chilly 34 degrees

A vacation is always better when the kids get to play in a little snow!

Sadly, I've noticed a lot of brown, dying pine trees since our last visit to RMNP. We found out that it was due to Pine Bark Beetles.

It's changing the look of the landscape for sure.

All the kids earned their Junior Ranger badges for Rocky Mountain National Park.

We got to see the male elk acting a bit ridiculous since it was rut season.

They make a very high-pitched noise and run around after the lady elk with their heads and antlers back like this.

They also lock antlers with other guy elk who may be looking at their ladies.

This guy ended up locking antlers with a hammock. Not sure which one won.

Jimmer doing his best Stooge impression--Curly.

Location of the nightly S'mores

Enjoying dinner on our deck at the lodge

Long's Peak

Over the mountains the through the forest to Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Gary's house we go...