Rain, Rain, Rain . . .

Colorado Springs, high desert with average elevation about 6,000 feet and average annual rainfall of about 7.5 inches. We have had showers nearly every day since early May, some days raining much of the day. We set a daily rainfall record on June 12 and from January 1 to June 13 our rainfall total is 14.71 inches setting an all-time record. Along with the rain we experience hail, lightening, tornado warnings, and flash flooding. Thank goodness I live on a hill–except for the lightening and tornado warnings šŸ˜‰ . Pikes Peak experienced an unprecedented blizzard on Tuesday with snow drifts as high as three feet and ice layers up to half an inch thick on the roads. Yes, there were people up there but all survived the ordeal. It has been a very long and cooler than usual spring.

Now for the good news.

Green, my favorite color

Inter-Laken Hike Along Twin Lakes

Here we are at beautiful Twin Lakes. We were here last year to drive up CO-82 and explore Independence Pass as well as hike to Linkins Lake. It was an 11,000 to over 12,000 foot adventure! The problem was it was only nice, make that great, weather the morning of those adventures. The rest of that day and every day spent in Twin Lakes it rained interspersed with terrible wildfire smoke. So here we are: try, try again!

On the south side of the Twin Lakes is a hike to an historic resort known as Inter-Laken. Starting around 1890 it was one of the finest resorts in all the Rocky Mountains. Also one of the most expensive. More on this later, but here we are at the trailhead, so let’s go! This is for you Howard.

Brand new adventure for you and me!

Sugar Sand Dunes

The Gulf Coast is beautiful, but walking away from the beach to the other side of the sugar sand dunes there is a beautiful area that hasĀ salt marshes, sand live oak shaded walkways, a rare dune lake, and beautiful scenery. Are you ready to go for a walk in Grayton State Park? There’s anĀ inviting entrance–let’s go.

sand live oak trail

Continue our walk