Alan's trip

Last week Alan traveled to Colorado to participate in the annual Kohl-affiliated guy's backpacking trip. The last couple of times they have gone to Yosemite National Park. This year they went to the Never Summer Wilderness, which is part of Arapaho National Forest, adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park.

As usual, Alan brought back a ton of incredible photos. Since it will be a few more years before the boys and I can experience such things, enjoying his photos, videos, and stories are close enough, for now. I have combed through and included quite a few photos for your viewing pleasure. It was somewhat difficult to narrow the selection down and my captions are limited for the stories are his to tell. I'll just provide the photos and a few facts...

Near their starting point...
A pine beetle invasion is on its way to devastating the forest in and around Rocky Mountain National Park... the reddish trees are the dead ones...

My sister's husband Barrett, my dad, and my cousin Sam...

It never fails, Alan always finds the most unique and artificial looking mushrooms to photograph...

Colorado's state flower, the white and lavender columbine.

Alan's trademark fly fishing catch photo. I believe this is a brook trout.

Sam posing...

Grandpa coming down the mountain...Alan fishing...

Alan, Sam, Grandpa, and Barrett...

Wildlife...Glacial lake...Up close...Velvet...Due to rain, they had some "sight-seeing" time at Rocky Mountain National Park. Here's my dad and Sam...

The rare posing Alan shot...

Thistle is my favorite. Bees, not so much.