And the Saga Continues ...

Third weekend into our camping saga, we were left to our own devices since our RV buddies were tied up.  We decided to explore the Poudre Canyon sites and after reading about them on the Internet, Pete picked Mountain Park where electric hookups are available, where he could practice fly fishing and where there’s a proper hiking trail called Mt. McConnel to take Brontë for a walk.  We found out that the area is a bear country so we included bear spray to the provisions to be procured before the trip.  Alas and alack, Jax ran out of it and we couldn’t get it from anywhere else.  That’s not good.

Bear-spray-less, we headed out Friday afternoon and reached the place around 1.30.  As soon as we pulled over the entrance to check on the fees, the Area Manager was putting up the “CAMPGROUND FULL” sign.  Oh, man!  She suggested going to the next campground, Kelly Flats.  As if trying to appease our sheer disappointment, she told us “it’s also beautiful there and it’s by the river.”   Three miles further down, the place was jam-packed as well but we managed to find a semi-private spot.  We were going to be OK on our own.  

Access to the river from our campsite

Chipping Sparrow?

We drove back to Mountain Park to walk Brontë.  She met a full Border Collie named Jack.  They sniffed each other, roughhoused (mostly Brontë)  and finally settled down.  He and his parents turned out to be the lucky ones who secured the last spot in the campground (the culprits!!!).  They were actually very pleasant people.

We tackled a portion of the William R. Kreutzer Trail, one of the two overlapping trails of Mt. McConnel Trail.  I was a little bit scared because were weren't armed with a bear spray.  I couldn't get the images of a grizzly mauling us out of my head.

Pete didn't really have a lot of chance to practice fly fishing.  He tried Saturday morning but he didn't feel comfortable standing in the fast rushing water.

Cache la Poudre River

Quaking Aspens

Pine beetles' invasion :-(

Enjoying a glorious day!

Pete and I staked out this tree for a long time because we saw a small, nimble bird going through a hole in a branch.  It was quite active and yet secretive.  I wanted to take a photo, of course, and to identify our feathered friend.

We waited and waited and waited ... almost ready to give up when suddenly...

... an intruder came - a Norther Flicker!

That did the trick!  The rightful resident appeared and shooed the trespasser away.

It stayed on the branch for a few seconds to make sure that the nest was safe, giving me enough time to snap some photos.  Yay!!!

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly