How I spent my summer vacation.......or.....

[tommy]

.......my infatuation with mountains. Now now, Ross, don't take that in the wrong direction.

Twin Sisters in Rocky Mountain National Park
First photo from 7500' looking up at the prize.
Other photos to follow.

I'm sure that I'm in trouble with some of you locals for not getting in touch. Sorry. Three lashes on me (gently, please, I'm on Coumadin ). Next time, I promise. Next summer.

I wore my heart rate monitor to see how my HR reacted to activity in higher altitudes. Flying colors. I spiked once (139) at a trail head with an initial steep switchback. Otherwise stayed in the 100-110 range. We took plenty of breaks, ate constantly, and stayed well hydrated. Hikes of 11 mikles and 9 miles. Big horn sheep. Elk, deer, even fleeting glimpses of a black bear. It was wild!

Got in some bike rides and some jogging as well. I'll take the dirt roads at higher elevations over hot lowland Texas concrete. The last afternoon the temp dipped below 60 degrees. I couldn't resist a good jog. Cool and threatening rain. It was wonderful!

 

[tommy]

Photo from Twin Sisters Peak looking north into Estes Park. Got to sign the peak register at the summit. There was actually a PVC pipe with screw caps and a log book (with pen) to record the feat for all posterity. I'm sure that 11,200' is no big whoop for many hikers, but any mountain top is a treat for my wife and me. I'm reminded of God's grace that gets us valvers over the mountain, and the beauty that He created.

 

[Ross]

Sounds and looks like you had a great time. Amazing what things look like from 11,200 ft eh?

 

[mntbiker]

Wow Tommy, very cool, glad you had fun with your trip.