Not ones to let grass grow under our feet, we were off on another adventure three days after leaving Calgary. We headed back up the I-25, took the turn off to Lyons, Colorado, and headed down Route 36 to Estes Park. We had been here before on a day trip but Melissa had found a campsite where we could stay and enjoy nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
It was a small (26 sites), tents-only, campground designed as a base camp for those wishing to climb Longs Peak (14,259 ft or 4346 m). The campground's elevation was 9500 ft (2895 m) so we definitely experienced a Rocky Mountain high.
After getting settled with tents erected, Geoff went off on a trail run to Chasm Lake which he described as spectacular. Glen, Melissa, and I played with the kids and enjoyed the warm sunshine. Anyone who knows how Armstrongs camp will realize there is something wrong with the picture heading this page. Yes, no rain is falling. We did get some rain but just a few light showers in the evening that did nothing to wet down the dust.
A unique feature of this campground was Mr. Bill, a very friendly volunteer camp host from Oregon. His granddaughters lived in Estes Park so by staying in his motorhome at the campground, he could visit them and meet and greet everyone who came to enjoy the mountain experience. Miles and Elijah took to Bill like ducks to water and he loved having them around. He really did make our stay pleasant.
Geoff was the campfire king and even attempted to light his fire-sticks using flint. This came close to working but we all wanted the fire sooner rather than later so a single match lit it. Wood could be bought every evening for $4 a bundle so we got 5 bundles so we'd not run out should the weather turn nasty. After a great supper of chicken fajitas (Armstrong camp meals are legendary), we roasted marshmallows. I had my first S'more of marshmallows and chocolate layered between graham crakers (the first recipe for s'mores appears in a 1927 Girl Scout cookbook). I am not a sweet tooth so this was just too much sweetness for me. Glen ate what I couldn't.
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