Thursday morning, we packed up the RV to head for the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. But we had one more hike to do. The Wild Basin trail head on the southeast side of the park, away from all the hustle and bustle. We drove the RV with Jackson to the site. Although it was early, it was already warm – probably the warmest morning since we arrived 4 days earlier. We followed the dirt road to an empty parking lot with a big sign that said “No Motor homes beyond this point”. What?! We had not yet reached the trail head so why did we have to park here? There was no one around to ask. No Park Rangers, no other visitors. So, we obeyed the sign and parked. It was full sun by now and hot so we were concerned for Jackson. Dogs are not allowed in RMNP, not even on trails on the ‘outskirts’ where there would really be no reason why. We had to leave him in the RV. With all the windows open and most of the shades down to cool the inside, we set off to find the trail head. We walked along the road in the burning sun thinking that around the next corner we’d see the sign for the trail. But the road just kept going and the sun followed us as we walked and walked. The more we walked the hotter in temperature and in temperament the both of us got. Why were they discriminating against us RV’ers making us park so darn far away from the trail when the road was perfectly flat and definitely wide enough for us to navigate? And why on earth were dogs not allowed in this park, at least on the trails that were away from the main park areas and all the masses. Jackson would absolutely love to walk with us. The more we talked about it the more we stewed and then we came upon a Ranger (Finally! We made it to the trail!). Wrong. He told us it was another ½ mile (one mile in total) to the trail and that the reason we could not take the RV to the parking lot adjacent to it was because there was a sharp turnaround in the parking lot. Well, the two of us thought, then why not make it bigger!! By the time we got to the beginning of the trail to Calypso Cascades we were sweating and worried the dog was too. So, with our heads down, we pressed onward to the trail walking at a quickened pace. We had to get to the falls and get back to save the dog! The park was aptly named “Rocky Mountains” because there are rocks everywhere. Big rocks, boulders, small rocks. If you don’t watch where you are going, you’re likely to trip on what else? A rock. So, I focused my attention downward and watched my feet carefully traverse the rocky landscape ignoring everyone and everything else around me. I could hear the sound of rushing water and feel a bead of sweat run down my neck and between my bosom. I followed Dave and we passed fellow hikers at a rapid pace making record time up and up to the falls. We were moving like a freight train when we were on a pleasure cruise. It felt like a chore. Something we had to do – check it off the list. Moving at a pace we could not sustain, and then it happened. I overheated. My breathing was labored, my face a candy apple red and I could not take another step. I was on FIRE! Dave stopped to give me water, a passerby gasped “Are you okay?!” and I made my way towards the stream and wet my entire head with the arctic cold water. I had to do this probably another 4 of 5 times and then we finally reached the falls. It was cool there and shady, oh, and beautiful, and I did not want to leave. But, what about poor Jackson; we have to rescue him from this heat. It’s 3+ miles back to the trail head and another mile to the RV. After making sure I was okay, Dave set out running, yes running. And as I sat alone on a rock in the shade I could not help thinking: “Where are we going in such a hurry?” What was the point of taking a hike if we were not going to stop, look, smell, take in the beauty of our surroundings? It is supposed to be about the journey, not the destination, right? As I slowly sauntered back I did not point my eyes south towards my feet; I paid attention to what was around me. I got out my camera and captured some beautiful shots of the swiftly moving streams and the numerous water falls. I noticed the butterflies, the mountains, the birds and the PEOPLE sharing the trail with me. I got close to the water to dip my hat in and wet my head and face and I was tempted to throw my whole self in. I was in awe of the beauty of this place. And wasn’t THIS how it was supposed to be. And Dave missed it all.

As I turned the final corner to the parking lot here comes Dave on the scooter to rescue me. I guess it took me longer than he expected. Turns out Jackson was just fine (although the Ranger did stop to tell us he was barking feverously for quite some time). I resisted the temptation to tell her that he wouldn’t have been barking if you’d only let him join us on the trail!!! Did we learn something from this? Time will tell.

We headed north to Trail Ridge Road – the gateway to the West side of the park. It started out a beautiful ride but as we rose in elevation, I rose in panic. Fear. We seemed to be heading straight up to the clouds on roads that bent and curved without any border. There was NO room for error here – it was straight down if you went over the yellow line! I was having an anxiety attack. Literally, my knees were buckling. Jackson didn’t care a bit; he just wanted to put his noise out the window to smell for chipmunks. At points along the drive it looked like we were on a runway ready to take off into the air only we were in an RV about 11,000 feet in the air navigating treacherous curves on a mountain without GUARDRAILS. If you can ignore that fact, the views are breathtaking. Stunning. Gorgeous. The West Side of the park is quieter for sure. And because of that, there is more wildlife. We saw elk, moose, marmots, and mule deer. We stayed at a campground in the park with views of the mountains, the sunset, the moon and the stars. We did not have cell phone service, power hook ups or internet, but hell, we didn’t need all that. Rustic is how we roll. This is living!!

At the falls (this is what overheated looks like)

On my return.

Trail Ridge Road – scary!

Taking flight! OMG.

The pine beetle is doing a number in the park.

The view from about 12,000 feet

Eye to eye with the mountains. Cool

Waterfall. Dah.