PERFECT HIKING DAY

We found a hiking trail in La Quinta, CA on our All Trails app and decided to give it a try.  The app indicated it was a 4.4 mile out and back easy trail but when we got to the trail head it was actually a connecting trail to 3 or 4 other trails.  So we picked one and started walking. We're not crazy about wash trails because of the difficulty walking in sand but we managed to put in 4.13 miles in a couple of hours.

We were on the lookout for bighorn sheep and Denis spotted a herd of five. Two of them were very young and they were so cute kicking up their heels and pouncing around mom and dad.

Nice map at the trail head

Ready to go

This year the desert flowers
have been exceptional

Look closely for the bighorn sheep

We worked up a good appetite and looked forward to a couple of burgers on the grill when we got back.

Flowers lining the street

Thanks for stopping in to say hi.  Hope you had a good day too.

Driving at Elevation of 11,300 Feet

Peaceful night's sleep at Walmart and an early start this morning.  Drove 60 miles to St. Joseph Church for 10:30 mass and watched seven children receive their first communion.  After church we had a hankering for a hearty breakfast and we were in luck finding a local diner just a few minutes down the road.  I prefer local diners to franchise-type restaurants and this diner was a great choice.  We paid under $20 for our breakfast and had enough left overs for dinner.

The church was very pretty

He made his first communion today - I love the way he's dressed

This is where we ate breakfast - small local diner in Salida

This breakfast is not for "light" eaters

Thankfully, we had a filling breakfast because the next 180 miles through the Rocky Mountains were very exciting.  Now remember, we drive a 2006 GAS 36' coach with a tow vehicle.  Yes, we have a Workhorse chassis, an Allison transmission and 8.1 V-8 engine but those mountains kept going up, up, up until we reached an elevation of over 11,000 feet.  That coach was screaming and straining at no more than 30 MPH.  I'm happy to report that the Commander survived and so did we.

The snow-capped mountains were beautiful - we haven't seen snow in a very long time

Yes, we were at an Elevation of 11,312 feet

You know I've been on the lookout for bighorn sheep and praise the Lord we got to see herds of them up close and personal.  I was so excited and took a zillion pictures, well, maybe not a zillion but I took a lot.  Hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

They were just as interested in us as we were in them

This is my favorite shot  

Many of the sheep were tagged with what looks like radio collars

I wonder if the fur always looks like this or if they're shedding their winter coats

Our drive followed along the Arkansas River and we saw people fly fishing and rafting.  Whitewater rafting was by far the most popular adventure in places like Bighorn Canyon, Royal Gorge and Brown's Canyon.

We were lucky to catch this couple in action

Pretty calm waters here but the dog seems to be enjoying himself

It was a long day with plenty of ups and downs but we arrived safely at our destination in Monument, Colorado.

 Thanks for stopping in.

Exploring Colorado National Monument by Car

What a GREAT night's sleep, very quiet, very dark and very chilly - temps dropped down to about 35 degrees.  This morning, we drove the car back down the mountain about ten minutes to view the overlooks we missed coming up with the coach and tried to find those elusive bighorn sheep.  Denis spotted two ewes but I missed them - frustrating.

Much cooler here - needed to dress in layers and long pants

Buds are just starting to bloom at this altitude

6,000 pound boulder balancing on a column - amazing Balanced Rock

Camera shy bighorn sheep

Thanks for stopping in.