Rattlesnakes and mystery trails

I finally got around to looking at my pictures of Rocky Mountain National Park! Here are just a few. I'm quite disappointed that my battery died before we even hit the treeline, thank goodness I had enough battery left on my phone (I'm in love with the pano function for these beautiful sweeping vistas). 

I'm also excited about the rocks, flora, and fauna. What a gneiss rock! My apologies for the lame joke! There were many Stellar's Jays flying around, mocking the hikers. 

Last weekend we had a little bit of time to explore more. We took this amazing canyon highway through Clear Creek Canyon that leads to Idaho Springs, a quaint old mining town. We were looking for a hike that I found on mytrails app, however when we went up the mountain about 20 miles, Siri told us we had reached the destination with no trail head in sight. So we took the Scenic Byway to Mt. Evans back down, stopped at a great barbecue joint in Idaho Springs and went home (Nate had to work that evening). 

Before the Packer game, a few of us went for hike up North Table Mountain (mentioned earlier). We took a different trail (Lithic, to North Table Mountain Loop). Ben estimates that we did about 4 miles with going up ~900ft. It was 80 degress on the mountain, so hot! The trail was narrow and surrounded by rabbit brush, prickly pear cacti, yucca, etc. There was also a small rattlesnake up one of the switchbacks. It started rattle and Ben didn't see it up moved past it very quickly. I was following behind and immediately switched Kobi to the opposite side of the trail. I saw the little guy coiled up and hiding. It has been quite a few years since I've seen a rattlesnake, however my heart was racing just as fast as the first time.

On the way down, we saw it again in the same place. This time it was started to venture out on the trail. Several mountain bikers carefully, but quickly rode past. I switched Kobi to the opposite side again and run up the upside of the mountain as fast as I could. My heart was racing again and the rattle was quite loud. Ben hypothesized that either the snake was very aggressive or possibly hurt and unable to move. Rattlesnakes! ugh! 

We are headed off to explore another place today, so stay tuned!

Love to all!

Hello Colorado!

It took two days to venture out here. Day one we pushed it all the way to Kearny, Nebraska which only left a few hours for us on day two. The ride was as expected, fairly boring through the corn states with a few rocks cuts. As we started getting into western Nebraska the hills started popping up and rolling some. I honestly didn't even see the Front Range until we were about 5 minutes from our end point with Ben and Ellie. It was a cloudy overcast day and the mountains were hiding in the gloominess of the day. 

We have been to so many great restaurants, drank some great beers, and have done some pretty awesome hikes since our arrival. I should have set the blog up a little faster, however I was enjoying my time too much so I might have to play catch up a bit. 

The first weekend we ate out quite a bit, tried some great beers, enjoyed a Packer win, and hiked a bit on North Table Mountain. I'll tackle the beer front first! I have a sour from New Belgium called Le Terrior. I have also been quite impressed with anything from Odell Brewing, I have tried  Levity and 90 Schilling so far. Both of the these breweries are in Fort Collins and I can't wait to get up there! I have also had Breckenridge Avalanche Ale which was quite good.

We have done some hiking with everyone and also some by ourselves. Most places allow dogs on all trails, Kobi has been loving all the adventures as well! Before the Packers won against Miami, we hiked North Table Mountain. It was a bit chillier than I expected on the top and you could see rain in the distance. All of a sudden, the wind whipped up and the rain was not so distant. The drops were big and the hit pretty hard but it didn't last long. We got back in time to watch the game as it continued to rain.

I have done the the trails in and around the Van Bibber Open Space in Jefferson County. It is an easy three mile loop or so. I have seen lots of coyote poop, but no coyotes which is fine by me. 

We have ventured into Boulder several times to enjoy the college town. It reminds me a bit of Madison. We have hiked in the Chautauqua Park are around the Flatirons. We have also visited the farmers market and Pearl St Mall area. 

After the Packer game last Sunday, we ventured not far to Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks, and we checked out Morrison which was a great place to grab a bite to eat.

On Monday, we left Kobi home due to no dogs on trails or in the backcountry at Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove in by Estes Park and were in awe of the beautifully snow capped mountains. We had a great time hiking around Bear Lake, seeing Alberta Falls, and taking the Trail Ridge Road. This particular road reached 12,183ft in altitude!!! We were driving in the tundra. We saw three distinctly different ecosystems winding up and down the mountain. There was quite a bit of snow, but not enough to close the roads. There were several elk above the tree line snacking on grasses and lichens. The glacial features that were visible from just the ridge line were spectacular. The air was a little thin and a bit chilly as well, however the sun was shining and I was still okay in my fleece.  (pics to follow)

We have had time to take in the local dog parks, disc course, and other little parks in the area. The weather has been great and it's still in the 70s (not in the mountains). I must admit I am missing my lake views somewhat and I wasn't too homesick until last night when Carson was repeatedly yelling at me in the phone and Kyli was telling me about her loose teeth! See you soon buddies!

Love to all!

What are you doing?

Some people think we are crazy for selling basically everything we own, loading up a vehicle with few possessions and a dog, and embracing the life of a gypsy; however, this has been in the works for quite some time and now it is officially a reality. As long as I have known Nate, it has been a dream of his to pursue a travel nursing career. After several years of gained experience, many long talks, and a plan we decided to do it.

Many people continue to ask me why I would quit my job to move around the country for an unplanned amount of time. Many people have asked me to keep in touch and write some sort of blog to keep you informed. Well, here it is. I'm not too familiar with blogging and I will try to do my best to keep up, after all we all know I have the time. 

Personally, I have always been intrigued with the natural wonders of the world and still am! I hope to see as many as I can and continue to learn about what makes our world tick. In college, the travel bug bit me and I had an opportunity to take advantage of many field trips: Black Hills, Badlands, Florida Keys, Bermuda, Texas, Utah, Nevada, Big Bend NP, Great Basin NP, Capitol Reef NP, etc. I am also fortunate enough to have two parents who appreciate "outside". My sister and I were raised hiking, camping, canoeing, biking, and taking several family trips to Florida, Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, Tetons NP, and many state parks in Wisconsin. As far back as I can remember, I know that I slowed them down because I wanted to "look at stuff". I recall asking questions about flowers and trees, birds and insects, basically anything that I found. In middle school, I began wandering into the nonfiction section of the library to check out books on things that I might have seen before. Soon after, my Christmas lists asked for field guides of Wisconsin! 

It wasn't until my senior year in high school that I finally had a sounding board for my growing passions. My environmental science teacher help shaped my naturalist tendencies and guided me to pursue an Earth Science Education and Environmental Studies Majors. After 4.5 years of studying, learning, memorizing, discussing, and exploring I graduated a capable teacher of science for grades 6-12. 

I enjoyed teaching very much. I have had some fantastic students who have surprised me beyond belief. Some still keep in touch, which I honestly cherish. I have always tried very hard to make science, whether that be biology, earth, environmental, chemistry, etc., about the students. I have brought in real life and reached far beyond textbooks. I will miss not teaching while traveling, however I will eventually get back to it in some capacity and I will happily teach anyone in earshot what I know about whatever I am doing or looking at.   

Lastly, life is too short to sit around planning and waiting. Life presents it's challenges and adversities whether you are prepared for them or not. You can choose to fall apart or face it head on and keep charging ahead to finish what you started.