Flower for the Day Sandwort 8-12-19

This miniature alpine flower is a sandwort (Minuartia rubella).  It is also called mountain sandwort, Arctic sandwort and boreal stitchwort. It is a small mat forming perennial herb.Here it is on the mat.

And here is the five petaled flower. This was found in abundance on the hilly tundra by the Fall River Road near Estes Park at about 12,000 feet altitude.

This type of alpine miniature was what sparked my interest in tundra flowershere over 70 years ago.

Don's Blog A Day on the Trail 8-12-19

Yesterday my son Gordon and I took the Middle St. Vrain 4 Wheel Drive Trail from Camp Dick to the Beaver Reservoir near Highway 7 through the Indian Peaks Area south of RMNP.Here is my driver and his 1989 Range Rover Classic SWB  (Short Wheel Base).

                               
We went south from Estes Park to Colorado 7 and turned into the road to Camp Dick at about mile number 49. On my Google Maps App this is called CR  92. At the trailhead the road turns into a 4 Wheel Drive Trail which is CR 92J.
                                            
For years we have been hiking the lower part of a trail which parallels this road with the Middle St. Vrain Creek in between.
We were on the  Middle St. Vrain  4WD Trail. Here is our route for the day.
                     

 The start of the trail was difficult with huge boulders but somehow we made it through. To add to the complexity it was raining most of the day off and on and literally every part of the road with any depression was filled with muddy water. No dust for us.
                      

 Instead of  getting easy it stayed rocky with lots of small problem areas. 
                                          
                      

Like any group of aficionados there is an "in" vocabulary. If something is blocking the road it is called an "obstruction". A rock littered portion is called a "rock garden". The main approach was to go slow as we traveled forward and backward to handle the obstructions. We would often just drive straight over the obstruction on one side being careful not to bottom out on the differential or the drive assemblies. The tires would grab onto the rocks and with pressure low in the tires they would spread out and grab to pull us over. We started out with only a few other rigs which grew to over 20-30 as the day progressed. Early on we met a nice group from Nebraska and worked over some problem areas with them.
                         
Four wheel drive groups were very much like the snow mobile groups we used to go out with when we lived in Anchorage in the 1960's. They  were friendly and helpful and knew all about engines, rigs, tires, clearance, lifters, and multiple other things. It was relaxed and social and everyone loved Gordon's ' classic'  Range Rover which was the oldest vehicle by many years. There were many fancy 4 WD rigs, trucks, and little open openRazers.There were groups of men, women, clubbers, teen-agers and families with and without kids. They were mostly from Colorado with a few from other places. Despite the narrowness of the road we met them coming and going.
                      
Along the way up there were many pullouts where folks were camping including a full size TeePee.

                    
                     

 There was plenty of time to play on the way up. We hiked over to the creek several times.
                   
 We worked our way to the end of the road and stopped for lunch.
                    
  There was a bridge across the Middle St. Vrain Creek which hooked up to the parallel hiking trail that continues  to the Continental Divide at Buchanan Pass 6 strenuous miles above.

 After enjoying the camaraderie of the group we went back down the trail a bit and turned right onto a spur road up to our next goal of Coney Flats. This road  turns into  CR 96J and was more steep and difficult. After a few minutes we became entangled in what they called a 'Colorado Traffic Jam'.                      
 There were about seven rigs ahead of us that were trying to drive over the OBSTACLE of the day. As time went by some turned around and went back the way we had come. 
                                  
Others made it through and it was our turn. This is what it looked like from my side.
                                        

 The image does not do it justice. The boulders were massive and covered with wet mud. An expert had offered to "spot" us to help us through. One of the rocks in front of us was covered with fluid from someone who had bottomed out and hit their differential. After several tries to get over at the start we asked for the spotters for help. They came up and said, " Turn your wheel toward the drivers side about 3 or 4 inches and back up a little."This magically put is in  a correct line. Then they put some rocks in front of our right rear tire which allowed us to go forward right over the first part of the obstruction. Then Gordon could drive across to the other side and then turn left missing a tree by inches and we were over. It was amazing. Above this we went slowly through a 'rock garden' and finally made it to a mostly level area called Coney Flats. 
                     
When we looked up towards the divide we could see the spectacular Sawtooth Mountain.

 For me it was love at first sight. Going a little further we came to a huge water obstruction.  As Gordon drove through it the water got above the lower edge of the door but did not come into the classic because he kept on driving. You can see some of the other drivers up on the right checking us out.

 After this we drove over to another flat spot to let off some emotional energy and ate some snacks. 
                                     
                    
                    
                                                             
The trip down Coney Creek Trail (CR 96J) was difficult but uneventful as we went slowly. Finally we got to CR 96 and then back to CO 7. We were between Brainard Lake Road and Camp Dick Road near Beaver Reservoir. We turned left and headed back to EP.
I have not discussed the comfort of the ride in the 'classic' on these roads. Let me just say if that bucking did not break up my large parenchymal kidney stone and cause it to drop then nothing probably will. My arms are weak from just holding on to the two  handles.  I have since learned that these are called the 'Oh shit' handles. I slept over 9 hours that night.

Don's Blog Totem Poles 8-4-19

One of our favorite adventures is to drive  the back roads in search of what shows up.

We were on a back road near the southern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park when

Jan said, "Stop", which I did. she had found an amazing  carved statue. There was a green hatted gnome with beads. As a Gnome Meister I had to get closer. It was a wonderful

playful carved tree and was accompanied by many others - a spectacular field of totem poles. This gnome was standing on a toadstool and is holding daffodils with Kris Kringel lurking in the background.

                   

Nearby was a winged bird which defies description.

                    

Further to the left was a yellow bird on a toadstool  atop a brown totem with red lips.

Then Smoky the Bear with an owl on his head.

And then this totally original curled toadstool.

To the right and back from the original gnome totem was this whimsical curlicued snake with a

smiley face below a toad stool.

Other than knowing where these totems reside we know nothing about the artist. I had no permission to climb the wooded hill to the these images. I have no permission to show these images. There are plenty of trees around to add to and enlarge this field of treasures. 

Part of its charm is the mystery of not knowing.

Consider:  Miracles are out there for you to find but you have to be looking and having Jan's eagle eyes really helps.

Flower for the Day Finding Old Friends 8-2-19

This is a special year for wildflowers in Estes Park made possible by the large amount of rain this spring. The seeds from hundreds of years past lie quiescent until the right circumstances arise for their growth. Here are some old friends I have not seen here for years.

           
   

These are Virginia blue bells (Mertensia virginica). I have them at home but the deer

love to eat their leaves so they have been decreasing in my garden.

                  

Wild blue flax (Linum lewisii) are  wonderful flowers that open in the morning and close by noon.

Showy milk weed (Asclepius speciosa) is one of 19 species of milkweed that grows in Colorado. I was surprised to see it by a trail. I have my eyes peeled of Monarch butterflies which love it. Monarchs are not common here.

Happy Anniversary 8-18-19

Fifty-eight years and still on the trail. Nothing could be better!

Don's Blog Bull Moose 8-15-19

Driving down the road from Bear Lake this young bull moose (small rack and small 

bell) walked suddenly across the road in front of us. He was unconcerned by the car.

It was almost dark so neither Chris or I had a camera in hand. I got one image which

shows how majestic he was.

Flower for the Day Bistort 8-12-19

Bistort is a little alpine flower which is a long time favorite. I have seen it in Iceland, Greenland, and arctic Canada and Alaska. 

Don's Blog 8-11-19 Erratum

Just to set the record straight the blog misidentified the animals in the last post as elk whenthey were really  juvenile mule deer. One wag brought up that one of the commonly asked question by tourists to park rangers is  "When do the deer turn into elks?" In this case the opposite has happened. They are enchanting.

Don's Blog Deer 8-9-19

These juvenile deer bedded down by our cabin (thirty yards) at noon yesterday.They were unconcerned when we took their picture. A real treat - very calming.

Flower for the Day Mariposa Lily 8-5-19

This Mariposa Lily (Chalochortus) is the most striking wild flower to date. Thanks to Jan for the image and Kathy for the ID. The closer you look the more amazing it is.