Driving along Route 70 near Vail we spotted our first snow. The storm that came through the other night must have left a dusting on the mountaintops.

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The aspens are a beautiful golden yellow color.

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We day tripped to the Rocky Mountain National Park. As we entered the park we were in what is called the montane ecosystem - a land of pine forests and beautiful mountain meadows.

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It is at this altitude that we found deer...

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...and elk.

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The views from this level were incredible!

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We took Old Fall River Road, a dirt road as we climbed through the subalpine ecosystem (between 9,000 - 11,400 feet above sea level).

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It seemed the higher we climbed, the more awesome the scenery got.

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Our lunch stop today was beside the road on a rock beside a babbling stream.

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The alpine tundra occurs above the treeline where the climate is extremely harsh. We were at 12,000 feet and it was about 49 degrees with winds probably blowing about 65 mph! How the pikas, marmots and ptarmigan can survive the winter here escapes me.

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Our home on wheels was in the shop today so we were left to discover the Fort Collins area. After a leisurely stroll through SuperWalmart (our first Walmart since we left home), we went to the old town area for lunch and a look at a few shops. Since the coach still was not done, we headed out to the Budweiser Brewery for a few beers and a look at the Clydesdales. We decided this is a training facility for the horses because they were all youngsters.

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Today found us following the Cache la Poudre River...

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...through narrow Poudre Canyon...

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...and in one place going through a solid rock tunnel.

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Another dirt road took us to the Red Feather Lakes area where we found...

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...beautiful Parvin Lake.

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