Altitude Wellness

By on October 30, 2011 in Adventures, Travel
When I first moved to Colorado around a decade ago, we made a day trip from the 5,400 foot altitude of Boulder to the almost-12,000-foot altitude of the Alpine Visitor Centerin Rocky Mountain National Park.  I had only been in Colorado for a few weeks and not yet adjusted to Boulder’s altitude, and as a result the added 6000+ gain in less than two hours ended with a bad case of altitude sickness.  My head felt like it would shatter into tiny, angular, metallic pieces.  This lovely sensation lasted about 10 hours.

After a decade my body has definitely adjusted, and now I find that the mountain air has a certain curative effect.  Thus, after a week of fighting a respiratory virus, we decided to head up into the snow for a little Altitude Wellness.  Mountains cure everything.

We drove up late Friday night and arrived at the cabin right after dusk.  As we started to unload the car we heard a low huff to the right of the deck.  Bedded down directly in front of the cabin was a large bull elk and his harem.  My logic is always overridden in wildlife situations, so instead of being concerned about being gored to death by a male elk during the end of rut season, I ran up on the deck and started chatting him up (he was unimpressed).  I would show you a picture but we kindly unpacked, turned off outside lights, and left them alone. In the middle of the night there was the sound of elk bugling right outside the cabin–an eerie, wailing sound.  If you are ever with me in the woods–you know, for whatever reason–know that you should just run and let the bears eat me when I try to rub their bellies.  I have poor wildlife boundaries.

Yesterday the winds were extremely high and the temps were hovering just above freezing, so we pulled on hats and headed up to Bear Lake.  We spent a while tramping around in the snow, snapping photos and enjoying the lack of crowds (during the summer Bear Lake is a zoo, and not because of the bears).

We then headed for Sprague Lake and did a lap around, snapping more pics.  Walking with the wind wasn’t too bad, but heading back it was like fighting through the windswept tundra.  Bitter and blinding.

 

Harrison was dressed more for a stroll in the English countryside, but his ears still looked alright when we made it back to the cabin.

 
After warming up a bit we braved the wind again to head to Nepal’s Cafe for some delicious and spicy food.  At that point my more-rugged-than-thou hubster wanted to head back into the park to try to spy some Bighorn sheep.  I said that I was happy to try to spot sheep from the warmth of the car, but that the only wildlife sightings that would get me back out into the  bitter wind would be 1. a living wooly mammoth, 2. a Yeti carrying a teacup chupacabra in a pink purse,  or 3. a herd of sparkly ponies.

So yeah, I stayed in the car.

 
It was a beautiful, restorative weekend.  When your soul is feeling sick, a little altitude will do wonders.
Thanks for reading,

-Angela

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4 Responses to Altitude Wellness

  1. Patricia Stoltey October 30, 2011 at 10:25 pm #

    I feel better just looking at your beautiful photos, Angela. Very nice.

    Reply
  2. Angela October 30, 2011 at 10:28 pm #

    Thanks Pat–we like in such a gorgeous place, don't we?

    Reply
  3. Roxana GreenGirl October 30, 2011 at 11:03 pm #

    Wish I was with you on your trip. Love going in the mountains. Beautiful photos Angela

    Reply
  4. marla November 3, 2011 at 1:35 am #

    I could not agree more….the mountains cure everything. My favorite place on earth is Telluride, CO :)

    Reply

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