Bunny asks...(you answer)

You are forced to choose between either wearing a sparkly tube top or a tee shirt two sizes too small that says, "I love unicorns!"

Which do you choose and why?

(This question brought to you by Foo Friend "Kenno" in Phoenix, AZ)

uh oh.

Unfortunately, there's a black sheep in every family. 

(and Bunny's is no exception)

RMNP Adventure Day 3: Flat Top Mountain

Bunny eyed the clear blue sky, sized up the snow christened peaks and hopped into her travel pouch. Then, matter-of-factly, she announced:

"We're going to the Alpine Zone today."

Bob and I looked at each other, slugged down our coffee and took heed. The Bunny meant business and we knew better than to doddle. So beginning at a lofty 9,475'—we set a course for Flattop Mountain; a 2,849' elevation gain over the course of 4.4 miles topping off at 12,324'. We were indeed going Alpine, that life zone above the tree line where few things live, let alone thrive.

We had prepared ourselves for a rigorous grade but were pleasantly surprised by the relative ease at which we were making progress. Each step seemed to offer views of verdant valleys, twisting rivers, and glistening lakes. And the higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views.

And the chillier it got.
And windier it got.

Until we found ourselves in a world of tornadic snow vortexes and ear-snapping wind chill. Ignoring the elements, we simply threw on another layer and plodded on, thinking the summit was within easy reach. But as we followed the ridgeline, conditions worsened. Quickly.

The snow got deeper, the winds more vicious and the trail obscured beyond recognition. Suddenly I could see our Foo family featured on the nightly news: "Led by a finger puppet named Foo, two lowlanders from Northern California died during a futile summit attempt of Flattop Mountain in Estes Park today. Back to you, Jim!"

So 500 vertical feet from the top, we turned around.

Sure, we were crushed. But we knew in our hearts that we did the right thing despite Bunny's protests. And as luck would have it, Bob would find a Cheeto trail back to civilization. Stopping every now and again for sustenance.

RMNP Adventure Day 2: Emerald Lake & Lake Haiyaha

Most of you don't know, but Bob was a weather man in another life. He can read multi-colored, fast-moving blobs on the radar like nobody's business; rattling off phrases like, "peeled off the Horn of Africa" when sizing up Mother Nature's problem child Ike. It's really quite impressive. 

But understanding yellow and red blobs isn't high on Bunny's priority list. She just wants to know if she can go for a hike. Or hop, as the case may be.

After a night of pounding rain, Bunny eagerly threw open the curtains to check out the impact on the terra firma. As suspected, a dusting of snow covered the Rockies in an impressive and oh-so-inviting way. She wanted in. As so did we.

Guided by the green weather blobs, Bob determined there were still showers that needed to move through so we diverted ourselves with a drive through the park and cappuccinos at the historic Stanley Hotel (filming location of  The Shining if you're not already muttering "Redrum" to yourself).

Busy digitally documenting the Stanley's historic edifice, Bob suddenly declared, "It's lifting to the West!" Bunny translated the urgency of Bob's weather-speak and swiftly hopped in the Yaris where they gunned the 9 miles up to the Bear Lake trail head to maximize their weather window of opportunity. 

Undeterred by the constant smattering of raindrops, they donned their parkas and set off for Emerald Lake. For the next 8 miles, they would experience rain, snow, hail, thunder and (as Stormtracker Bob predicted): sun. Perfectly timed to coincide with our arrival at Emerald Lake.

Next up; Day 3: Flat Top Mountain

RMNP Adventure Day 1: Sky Pond

Work travel has its benefits. Especially when it takes you to places like Denver, making the 70-mile drive northwest to Estes Park somewhat necessary if you're a hiking enthusiast like Bunny Foo Foo.

So off they ambled toward the park in their rented Yaris; a gas-sipping-four-banger. A surprising yet efficient mountain pass companion despite it's resemblance to a tin can with a set of tires stuck on for kicks and giggles. Shrouded in thick fog upon their arrival, the beauty and skyscraper heights of Estes Park, Colorado wouldn't be fully appreciated until later.

Much later.

Day 1: Starting at Bear Lake trail head (elevation 9,475'), their first destination was Sky Pond via the popular Alberta Falls, Loch Lake and the aptly named Lake of Glass. An easy hike in, the last little bit of their trek would require a scramble up and alongside a waterfall. It's always good to ask yourself before attempting such things, "Can I actually get down this craggy mess?" But logic and reason are usually cast aside when a couple hundred vertical feet is the only thing separating you from the top. In our case: Sky Pond's 10,893' view.

We lunched on the banks of Sky Pond amidst the clouds and every now again, the mountain would toss off her cloak and reward us with glimpses of her true beauty.

But alas, what goes up must come down. Our craggy mess was a puzzle to descend but we made it down without incident and eventually found our way back to our motel for showers and a fine dinner of buffalo meatloaf (for Bob) and trout (for Mama Foo). Bunny had cheesecake in a puddle of raspberry sauce.

Next up; Day 2: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes.

Reluctant return to sea level

Our fearless threesome survived every curveball Mother Nature threw at them from screaming winds to thunder-clapped snowstorms. Their adventures were big and many, and Bunny Foo Foo can't wait to tell you about them—especially now that she's in an oxygen-rich environment again. But patience you must have, for photos must be culled and Mama Foo has a day job she must keep in order to fund future adventures.

Stay tuned...

A hare-raising hike to the Continental Divide

"I'm ready!" Bunny exclaimed as she slid into her hiking boots.
"Take off your boots, your flight isn't until tomorrow" Bob explained. Again.
"Oh." she sulked.

Rocky Mountain National Park:
the adventure begins tomorrow.