Friday,
August 2, 2013
Tommy
and I resolved to cut our road trip midstream this year. Sire is decelerating
at a faster pace than we anticipated and so we are taking him home. We have bolstered
his pain meds. He is still cognizant for most of the day but tires very easily.
We want him to be as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
The
last full day in Steamboat we hiked with Mark and Susie along with Michael,
Mark’s cousin, his wife, Debbie, and their two children Emma and Aaron. Along
with them came T-Bone and Louie and Beaux. Louie is T-Bones short legged Jack
Russell with dreadlocks, (and Beaux’s newest best friend). There is an actual
name of the breed of Louie but I don’t remember it, sorry Louie! 
Michael
and Deb are embarking on a 3-week family vacation across the western part of
the USA. Steamboat was their first stop. We were pleased to have met them and
hang out. The kids are great and their family dynamic is to be envied.
At the
trail head we were met with a local couple that Mark and Susie knew. They were
traveling into the mountains for a week’s stay. They had along with them, 5
cattle dogs and 2 llamas. The llamas were utilized as their Sherpa’s. They
carried all the provisions and equipment. It was a pretty cool site to see. 
The hiking
trail we went on was in the Zirkel Mountains. Louie and Beaux led most of the
way. The hike itself is only 3.1 miles in and the exact same coming back out.
The elevation assentation is just less than 1200 feet. It took us, (well, me)
almost 2 ½ hours to arrive at the end of the trail. My breathing
was labored and I had to stop often. Coming back down was fine and only took 1
hour 40 minutes.
When
we hit the end of the trail at the top of the mountain we were in awe. There is
a lake at the very top that was unexpected. It is pristine. 
We assembled
along the perimeter of the lake and enjoyed lunch. The men teased about going
into the water, but none did. It is all snowmelt and tremendously cold. We
relaxed for roughly 45 minutes and then trekked back down the mountain.
The
pathway along the trail is breathtaking. Absolutely peaceful, untouched, quiet,
full of solitude and beyond gorgeous.
It was
a terrific hike. Afterwards, as a just reward, we all went to the Clark Store
and enjoyed ice cream furnished by Michael. Thanks again Michael, it was
delicious.
After
showers back at home, we composed several appetizers and Diane, T-Bone’s
wife, caught up with us. The appetizers were our dinner. Heaps and heaps of appetizers.
After
pigging out Tommy and I went over Kimmay and Roy’s to say goodbye. We dragged
Susie with us and we ended up staying, instead of 30 minutes, and hour and a
half. It was fun, they were having a party and we completely crashed the
festivities.
Back
at the chalet, Mark had made a fire. We sat around and laughed until bedtime.
The next morning we packed up and pulled out.
