Welp, two more states I've visited

 I've been able to visit two more states. I've add no countries or Canadian provinces, however.  I hoped to get one other state before this update, but that wasn't meant to be, yet.  There's just 7 states remaining.

Trail 7 - "Easy" Elk Meadow Park

Hiking in the Rockies on a sunny spring morning?  It's typically enjoyable.  Elk Meadow Park trails are no exception.  The park is a hilly area within the Rockies, just past the town of Evergreen, CO.

There's actually a lot of interconnecting trails in a somewhat complex layout. This requires you to know where you are going before you get going.  I walked on the course identified as Hike #7 in the book 60 Hikes within 60 Miles from Denver and Boulder.  Fortunately, there are trail signs that tell you clearly on to which trail you are about to walk. Some portions of the trails involve modest climbs that would make me rate the hike closer to "moderate" than "easy".

Various courses along the trail system allow you several options to walk in circuits rather than in-and-out. I like the idea of hiking in a circuit.  Although there is plenty of shade during the hike, there are also significant areas under direct sunlight. 

Even though this is mid-Spring, I didn't see all that many varieties of flowers along the trails, but there were a few.  However, while exploring the trails, I ran across a few birds, and a coyote off in the distance.  No name sake elks, though.

Ground Squirrel keeping an eye out for threats or treats

 
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Picnic Point and local dessert

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Tiktok has enabled...ignorance

 

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Vancouver, BC with Joie

Alice, Joie & I visited Civic Hotel, Surrey, BC, Vancouver, BC Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio, Dominion Bar + Kitchen, Vancouver Chinatown, Crystal Mall in Burnaby, Tae Tea at Crystal Mall, Granville Island, Granville Island Public Market, Circle Craft Gallery, Nooroongji Books, Paper Ya on Granville Island, Parade Shop, Make at Granville Island, Ukama Gallery, Granville Island Pet Treatery, Ten Granville Island, West Vancouver Lighthouse Park. This trip was a bit difference since we did have our little dog with us. This means some places couldn't be visited while other places that we'd typically overlook came to the top of our list. (Facebook)