The Colorado Rockies

We had a fantastic week-end

 in the Colorado Rockies.
This was my first time in the Rocky Mountains
and maybe it is ridiculous but,
although I knew they are called the "Rocky Mountains"
I was surprised, by the fact that, they are indeed very rocky.

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Early saturday Nathan and I met in Denver, Colorado.

We rented a car and drove ~1&1/2 hours 

to Estes Park, a small mountain town 

at the gateway of the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park, the Red & White hotel is where Steven Kings The Shining was filmed.

The mountains are breathtaking!

Our first day we arrived mid afternoon.
The drive into Estes Park was beautiful,
 we especially enjoyed the drive around the Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road, a very scenic windy mountain road.

We saw lots of Elk on our drive!

Elk!

Feeling small in a great big world!

I'm on top of the world!

We packed as much mountain time as we could into three days

By that I mean,
we hiked, hiked, and hiked!
There are so many trails it was hard to decide which ones to choose...

Day two we hiked to Chasm lake (8.4 miles & 11,760 ft)
 and Day three Flattop mountain (8.8 miles & 12, 324ft)
(although due to a midday storm we didn't actually summit Flattop)

Starting the climb to Chasm lake

Friendly ground squirrels!

Getting closer to tree level

It was amazing how short of breath and cold we got 

as we hiked higher and higher...

In the tundra, above tree level

Chasm Lake & View of longs peak

*Beautiful views from Chasm lake trail*

Crystal clear glacier water

Day three

Hiking to Flattop:

Above Emerald Lake

Brr, Nathan is freezing in the tundra on Flattop

*Views from Flattop*

Glaciers 

Our last little hooray before heading back to KC

was a walk and picnic along Bear Lake.

Bear lake

The Rockies are beautiful,
it was a great way to end summer 2012.

We can't wait to explore them again, 

maybe next time with ski's!

Wide Open Spaces: Exploring the Canadian Prairies

At the beginning of this year

 I made an announcement. A resolution. 

"To be more irresponsible"

Encompassed in this resolution 

is much more than finding crazy things to do...
(It's actually not about that at all)

It has simply reminded me to have courage to try new things, 
go new places, and accept a certain level of risk
involved in life 'off the straight and narrow'

It reminds me to 'just do it'. 
To not let fear get in the way of opportunity.

That is how I came to arrive at this past week

and continue my graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

Since I was travelling in the prairies anyways,

I jumped on the opportunity to visit with my 
Winnipeg friends (Anne & Joel).

Proud parents to be!

Flying into Winnipeg I quickly realized...

Flying into Winnipeg

The prairies are as flat as 'they' say they are.

Natural prairies.

Anne, even at 39 weeks, was a fantastic tour guide!

We spent a night a her family cabin, hiked through the boreal forest:

Explored and walked Winnipeg's parks: 

and ultimately 

enjoyed good food and great company...

Angela and Anne in Winnipeg!

Thanks Anne for a great intro into the prairies!
============================

At this point,

with all my travelling this summer.

I am getting pretty used to navigating myself into the unknown.

However, 
I must admit.

As I got on the plane to Saskatoon, SK

I couldn't quite squish the feeling that this was crazy.

Thankfully,

this did not last long. 

Instantly I was comfortable with this city.

Saskatoon is beautiful. 

Downtown Saskatoon

Me in Saskatoon

South Saskatchewan River

So many walking/ biking trails!

I am also impressed with the University of Saskatchewan campus 
(also very beautiful).





In addition, 

my classmates are wonderful...
It was so fun getting to know them!

If things were different,

I would really consider registring as an on-campus student.

(at least before winter)

Overall It has been a great week.
I feel a little overwhelmed but mostly excited 
about this new challenge.

The best part is
the first week is done 
and 
early tomorrow
Nathan is
 meeting me in
Colorado.

Hooray for long weekends!