Last week's experiment with the sunflowers didn't work, and I've continued to do battle with the squirrels in my yard over the sunflowers this week. Apparently the squirrels have won. A few flowers have bloomed and I got excited at my triumph, only to look outside a little later and there's a @#$!%# squirrel pulling it down! They chew the stems from the bottom, and they grab the buds from the top and cut them off, too. I finally gave in and rescued the flowers that were still out there and put them in a vase.
At least we can enjoy them this way!
In need of a getaway day recently, we drove up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. That is one of my very favorite things to do in the summer! We're so lucky to only be about 30 miles away, and can take advantage of that as often as we want. Plus, sleep in our own bed that night!
This time we decided to go into the park and drive up Trail Ridge Road. It is the highest continuous paved road in N. America, reaching 12,183 feet in elevation at one point. There are places to park along the way and walk to a viewpoint, so we did quite a bit of that.
At about 11,500 feet you're above tree line, and the view changes.
And, of course, it's always much cooler up there, which was a lovely break from our hot summer days!
Of course, a stop at Snowy Peaks Winery for lunch is always on the agenda for the day, as well as the local quilt shop, The Stitchin' Den. I brought home some batik fat quarters that are specially made for the shop and the area. They're in the "just for fun" category of fabric acquisition!
Hope you're having a great week!
for I Like Thursday.
10 comments:
do you still need reservations to get into the park to drive and to drive across Trail Ridge Road? I thought that was needed. I always love that area. I don't remember a winery but we don't usually go to them
We haven’t been to Estes Park in a long while. It’s so beautiful there. Trail Ridge is a fabulous drive. On a motorcycle too! We have lots of stories to tell about that part of Colorado.
I’ve thought about growing sunflowers next year. My neighbor has a huge area of sunflowers. Such happy sunny flowers!
that trip to estes is a good thing! and a trip to a winery is a winner to us
Perfect Getaway - and the scenery... to refreshing!!!
We drove on Trail Ridge Road when I was just a little girl. We were visiting my Uncle and family, and he was driving. I remember how nervous Mom and Daddy were, because he was used to the road and the heights and they weren't! Your photos are fantastic - such a beautiful place. Sorry about the sunflowers, but they look perfect on that pretty runner. You've got some naughty squirrels there in Colorado. ;)
How lucky to have a wonderful national park at your doorstep practically. Stunning views and what a nice outing combined with lunch and even fabric shopping. Really sounds ideal. I just watched a series on people who have vanished in national parks around the world. It was quite interesting and of course, the parks are magnificent.
I love seeing your end of the Rockies, and marvelling anew at how massive and impressive that range is. Our planet is truly incredible. Like you, I feel so lucky to be by a National Park (and too funny, I wrote about it today too!), as well as virtually on the shore of a Great Lake. Being close to Nature makes us better global citizens I believe. I am so glad you saved a few of your sunflowers. I feel your pain: this is the first year for my Belladonna lilies, aka Naked Ladies which have just recently popped up (quite literally, almost overnight), and something, I tend to think our resident groundhog, who we need to relocate, has chomped the bottom of several of their stems and left them for dead. Grr!
Bad squirrels! Lovely flowers. I'm glad you saved some of them! Those views are amazing.
It sounds like you had some very tenacious squirrels. Gorgeous sunflowers and the quilt underneath is so pretty. I love that area of CO . Fabulous photos. So glad you was able to get away. Have a great weekend.
Those squirrels! They are allowed in your quilt room, but not in your flower garden! That little day trip looks very enjoyable!
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