We spent a weekend in Grand Lake, CO with friends, who graciously invited us to stay with them. We went to the local music fair, roasted marshmallows at the fire, and generally had a good time. 
For our trip back, we decided to take the long way and go for a drive on Trail Ridge Road, the so-called "scenic wonder road of the world." Let me tell you, it is AWESOME!! Not only are the views from the trail magnificent, they are also truly awe-inspiring. The fact that you can drive right up to the tree-line at all is just...unbelievable...and very very cool. ;)
The road peaks at almost 12,000 feet above sea level. Up there, the wind is biting cold and easily knocks around those who are foolish enough to be out in it (like us, hehe). In fact, the wind is so strong that trees and most vegetation are unable to grow (i.e. tree line). Though we didn't get to touch it, road signs alerted us to the fact that we were also in a permafrost zone. Yes, that's how cold it gets!
Pumpkin slept through most of the drive, which was just as well since he would've wanted to get out of the truck whenever we stopped, and it was just too windy and cold for him. Fortunately, he woke up in time to see a herd of elk that we saw on our way back down. It wasn't as cold there so we all got out of the truck for a bit to get a better look at the elk.
We had planned to stop in Estes Park on the way out, but it had started raining by the time we'd wound our way back down the mountain so we ditched those plans and stopped a bit further up instead at Roosevelt National Forest, which was also beautiful though on a decidedly smaller scale than RMNP.
Pictures:
1-View from our friends' house in Grand Lake
2-Pumpkin and "Pals" enjoying the swing at our friends' house
3-View on the way up Trail Ridge Road
4-Tree line
5-QT freezing his butt off at the Visitor Center (note the elevation)
6-We are above the tree line!
7-Pine at a stop just past the permafrost
8-Pine & Pumpkin with elk in the background
9-Pumpkin & QT at the trailhead at Roosevelt National Forest
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