Month: July 2018

Hiking in Colorado: Button Rock Trail

by jendionne10, posted in Hiking in Colorado

Today’s hike: Button Rock Trail outside of Lyons, CO, and on the way to Estes Park, CO.

I chose this one because it was close to my house, and I needed one easy and quick. This one fit the bill.

Button Rock Trail

A dirt road off of the Highway 36 to Estes Park, Button Rock Trail was easy to find. Part of the Button Rock Preserve, Button Rock Trail leads to Ralph Price Reservoir. We parked at the trailhead and started on our way. It was a cloudy, cool day, high around 60 degrees at 7:30 am when we started–perfect weather for hiking in Colorado.

There were several trails that connected to Button Rock Trail. You could hike to Sleepy Lion Trail, another trail system in Button Rock Natural Area or take another loop that led to Ralph Price Reservoir as well.

Ralph Price Reservoir

We chose to stay straight and follow the service road to the Reservoir because it was flat. The entire hike we followed North Saint Vrain Creek. It was picturesque with boulders causing many cascades and waterfalls.

Waterfall Button Rock Trail

Near the end, you climbed a very short switchback trail to the top of Ralph Price Reservoir. The view was amazing:

Ralph Price Reservoir

We headed back the way we came in order to return to Windsor, CO, in time for my son’s karate graduation. Total distance: 4.5 miles. Total time: 1 hr, 40 min.

Great hike for those looking for a quick, easy trail. Lots of wildflowers and butterflies. Soothing sounds of running water. Dog-friendly with off lease hiking areas. Highly recommended!

Loving Your Pet Through Death…

by jendionne10, posted in Personal

My cat has lost weight recently and has not been eating.

We took her to the vet.

Diagnosis: kidney (or renal) failure.

Prognosis: not good.

There are things we can do to make her comfortable: give her fluids, change her diet, maintain low-stress environment.

But, ultimately, she’s dying. She could have months. Or a year.

Yet, somehow, I’m grateful.

Grateful that I know so we can not take her for granted. Grateful I can love her more. Grateful for the years she has given us.

This doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s never easy to watch a pet die. I’ve held two of my dogs in my arms when they were dying. And I knew a little ahead of time it was coming.

The worst part is the helplessness of it all. Not being able to help. To make her better. To do anything. Except hold her and love her and cherish her.

While she’s here, we’ll make the most of it.

Love her till death and beyond.

We love you, dearest Emerald.

0708181234_HDR.jpg
Our precious, precious kitty

Hiking in Colorado: Kruger Rock Trail

by jendionne10, posted in Hiking in Colorado
Hermit Park Natural Area

Kruger Rock Trail is an enjoyable hiking trail near Estes Park, CO. It’s 2 miles up and 2 miles down, slightly inclined the entire way up and then decline on the way back. It sits in Hermit Park Natural Area, which is a fee area.

The entrance to the trail is by a huge pavilion and camping sites. Open fields in the very beginning with a lot of beautiful wildflowers and butterflies and then up the mountain! Lots of shade. Trail very easy to follow. Amazing views of the town of Estes Park.  Great for families.

Town of Estes Park, CO

 

Hiking in Colorado: Mount Margaret Trail…

by jendionne10, posted in Hiking in Colorado
Mount Margaret Trail

“Bear!”

We all freeze and turn to look at the outcry of my middle daughter. Out of the shrubbery emerges a….cow.

We all breathed a sigh of relief. None of us wanted to meet a bear.

Near Red Feather Lakes, CO, Mount Margaret Trail is an easy out and back trail. My kids and I hiked this trail that was relatively flat and had amazing wildflowers, butterflies, and pine smells. Burnt trees from fires a few years back (along with some beetle kill) dotted the landscape along with large rocks and boulders.

As opposed to Red Mountain Open Space, this trail had lots of shade and was a bit cooler because of it.

0629180835a_hdr.jpg

Fun, easy trail that got me yearning for our forthcoming camping and ATV trip!