On Sunday we drove up to Estes Park to go through part of Rocky Mountain National Park and do a little hiking. It took us a little longer than expected to get there because there were lots of tourists in Estes Park (I kept forgetting that it was a holiday weekend!) The drive was beautiful of course and we took TONS of pictures of the hike and the drive that we took through the park.
Levi and Ashley looking out over the city of Estes Park - Beautiful!
Group shot as we entered Estes Park
Our first stop within the park was an elk viewing area. There were lots of people taking pictures, and the elk didn't seem too worried. It was so neat to be so close to the elk, and we got several pretty good pictures!
Walking to the elk viewing area - it was a little chillier up here than it was in Boulder! - Glad we brought some warmer clothes!
Elk!
Another view - So cool!
From the elk viewing area the plan was to drive up to the trailhead for Bear Lake. We were told that the parking lot was full so we would have to utilize the park and ride. It turned out to be really easy. You just park about half-way up and then take a shuttle up to where you want to go. There were several stops along the way that you could get off at and start your hiking.
View from the top!
Beautiful Bear Lake - The water was so clear and with the storm clouds rolling in, it was breathtaking!
Another view of the lake and the gorgeous view
Lucas taking a moment to admire the clear water and the view
Lucas and I posing for the camera - Look how clear the water is
Levi and Ashley posing in front of Bear Lake
Walking along the trail
Me posing - Look at the cool reflection - The sun was starting to come back out.
After leaving bear lake, the plan was to hike up to Alberta falls, although it was more hiking down to the falls for the most part rather than up. (Let me tell you I was not complaining about this... I didn't think about how much more difficult hiking would be with the altitude... granted I was also 26 weeks pregnant, but we'll blame it on the altitude!)
On the trail - Lucas insisted that I take a picture with the baby Aspen trees - So here is the picture Me with Baby Lara in the baby Aspen forest!
Standing on a bridge looking over a small stream
We made it - Alberta Falls
Lucas and Levi of course decided that they needed to hike over to the other side of the river to get some better pictures of the waterfall.
Lucas in front of Alberta Falls
Sitting in awe enjoying the beauty that was this place!
Ashley and I at Alberta Falls
Standing at the top of the falls looking out over where we hiked from - Beautiful! 
Lucas and I - Self portrait from the top of Alberta Falls
On the way back to the shuttle, it started raining - Good thing Ashley and I were prepared! :-)
Levi and Ashley on the shuttle on the way back down
Lucas and I on the shuttle coming back from hiking
After we got back down to the car, we decided to drive along the road that goes through Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove until we got to the highest point and then turned around and came back.
Beautiful rainbow that we saw as we were driving along the road - I think we made a couple of people mad when we stopped in the middle of the road to get this picture - But if you are driving on this road, why would you not stop to see this beautiful sight? It was a scenic route!
Stopping at the top - It was getting colder the higher we went - Lucas generously let me borrow his sweatshirt - I was not thrilled about his insistance that we take a picture... as you can see from my face!
Look at those amazing mountains... with SNOW!!!
Awesome bird that say still long enough for Lucas to snap a picture - So close that it almost looks fake... but I assure you it was real!
Another beautiful view
As we were heading down from the highest point, it started getting cloudy, and then all of the sudden the sun broke through the crowds - I think that this picture turned out awesome!
When we got back to Estes Park we stopped at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get a few treats, then headed off in search of something to eat. We ended up at a Mexican restaurant that had the biggest buritos I had ever seen! I couldn't even eat half of it - And this is the pregnant lady speaking! :-)
After dinner we decided that it was time to head back to Boulder. Of course it took longer than expected to get back because there was a game (University of Colorado vs. Colorado State.) Now Levi and Ashley know that it does indeed get crowded in Boulder on college football game day!
