Soft Shadows, Friendships, and the Full Moon Glow, Rocky Mountains National Park, CO

Life around my little cabin feels like home now. It’s —a cozy neighborhood. As I spend time with the beautiful women around me, the feeling of belonging finds a place in my heart.

Funny that when I was in Winter Park, I was among the oldest. Here, I am one of the youngest.

Most mornings, I sip my coffee in my pajamas outside with Diane and Betty. On some evenings, a few of us gather casually for conversation and dinner.

Yay, it’s a full moon tonight!

A group of us are heading to Sprague Lake to witness the magic of the moonrise.

We arrive late in the evening to find a moose munching on his supper as a soft sunset reflects on the gentle lake.

I am excited to share the magic of a full moon with Brenda, Diane, Sheryl, Vada, Tammy, and Betty.

Like a majestic ballerina, the moon rises with all her beauty and magical light, turning the darkness into beautiful shadows dancing between the Rockies. It is, for sure, a night to remember!

Diane and I share Sunday as one of our days off. You know well enough how much I cherish my solitude in nature. At the same time, I deeply value true friendships. Hiking with dear friends is a combination I love.

This morning, we are hiking to Lulu City.

(AI: Lulu City was a short-lived silver mining town established in 1880 in what is now Rocky Mountain National Park. At its peak, it had about 40 cabins and several businesses. But with low-grade silver and a remote location, the town was abandoned by 1885. Today, the trail to Lulu City offers a peaceful walk along the Colorado River, surrounded by quiet meadows and mountain views.)

Not often do I get the privilege of being a passenger and fully focused on the passing landscape.

Just driving on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation, gives you a sense of what Rocky Mountain National Park is all about. When I am the driver, concentration is essential, as the road is winding and many sections hug the edge of a mountain.

The trail is lined with many wildflowers. Luckily for Diane and me, Betty is quite the expert and shares her knowledge of their names and how to recognize them.

Thank you, Betty!

Here are some of the flowers we saw: Monk's Hood, Senecio, Sulphur Flower, Larkspur, Columbine, Purple Fringe, Bog Orchid, and Indian Paintbrush.

The hike is about 8 miles round-trip (according to my AllTrails), mostly under the shade of pine trees. You pass two peaceful meadows. But what impresses me most is that Diane is still hiking in her mid-80s. Just amazing—proof that strength and grace only deepen with time. She makes me believe anything is possible.