Denver Trip, Part 2

Following the conference which ended Sunday morning, our two traveling monks got a chance to take a short tour of the Rockies. Rajkumar and Surya took them 12,700 feet up into the mountains. They drove through the Rocky Mountain National Park, up to the highest point accessible by car, were they got out and hiked up through the beautiful rock formations. Any higher and they would have needed oxygen tanks. Still, the thin, cold mountain winds forced them to give their lungs a fresh and healthy expansion.

First a stop in Boulder for some lunch. Surya and Acharya pose for a photo

We happened to walk into a Sunday streat fair

the whole city was out enjoying the brisk sunshine

A wonderful little vegetarian restaurant

The fair included a band, whose setup was all powered by people riding bicycles.

Up into the mountains!

Surya gives us a slick smile

We can see why they are called the Rockies

Estes includes a large mountain town, complete with wooded lodges and herds of elk

just married, perhaps?

The building that inspired \"the Shinning,\" and also where it was filmed (no, not the McDonalds, thought it may be equally as scary). This red roofed hotel is said to be very haunted.

we take a short walk on an elk trail

up high, the views are incredible

Pan left and right

The chipmunks come right up to you in droves, looking for food

Jayanatha enjoys the landscape

At the top of the mountain we lose our breath simply walking up the path

No trees up here, but there is life everywhere, however thin. The rocks are covered with color

The signs tell us to stay of the path to protect the rocky tundra

We scale a rock formation (part of the path)

more colorful lichen

a group photo atop the formation

This dail points to the surrounding peaks, giving their hights

a quick mountain-top meditation

pan left and right

You cant go without seeing an elk..

..and another rabbit!

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