Told ya this would be a two parter. This time, we have a bit of the, promenade might be the word, near downtown Estes Park and a trip a to Lily Lake. Lily lake was my go to spot in Estes. I spent many an hour there, reading, walking, smelling trees. It was grand. You had to be there.
Every now and then I stumble across something on the internet that is sooo much fun to use to play with my pictures. Last time it was that whole black, white and color thing. This time it was that whole retro picture thing. (Have faith, if I get interested in it again, there might be a picture to painting post!) Now, I'm not the greatest at editing, nor am I a part of that instragram fad, my phone isn't smart enough. But I did find something fun on the Internets. I guess the new fad is new to old or vice versa. I enjoy playing around with it.
I had such a hard time getting motivated for my day off. I woke up early as always, but went back to sleep for at least another hour. I had no idea what I wanted to do. A part of me just wanted to be lazy and not leave the room, but I had to do something. I went to breakfast and decided to go to lily lake. It is about 7 miles south of Estes. It is a short trail around the lake. I took a book, my journal and the camera and that is how I spent my morning.
I had Thursday off and I got up early and did some easy hiking. I first went to Bear Lake, and then to Alberta Falls. So June in Rocky Mountain is still pretty snowy. And in some places it hasn't melted yet, and both of my destinations were such places. Bear Lake was mostly frozen still and the path still covered in snow. It made for some unique hiking.
Bear Lake is an incredibly short nature walk, though due to the snow, I only walked around half of the lake and went back the way I had come. I just wasn't feeling to secure in snow. I am not always the graceful sort and the last thing I wanted on my day off was to tumble into freezing cold waters. But it was such a pretty day that it was totally worth it. I love the drive to the lake and the walk was so much fun, and it was gorgeous anyways. Win-Win!
So my sister and cousin did a Polar Bear Plunge over the weekend up in Minneapolis. Crazy, I know, but hey it was for a good cause, and they did get to meet and plunge with Cam Barker (a Minnesota Wild Defenseman). Like I said it was for a good cause, it would have to be, seeing as how my sister is not a water person. So the proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Which is a worthy cause, and a special side note, my cousin Susie is a Special Olympian. So it was extra special for both her and my sister, personally knowing who will benefit from this!
Susie
Blocks of ice taken from the lake
Kevin Gorg and my gorgeous sister Agnes!
Susie, Cam Barker, Agnes (Team Barker)
Barker and Nordy
Did I mention Cam Barker (name drop) was a part of this years plunge. He was team captain for Team Barker Go Wild! This was the team that Agnes and Susie were on. Barker (who by the ways is so nice & way adorable) and FSNorth personalities Mike Greenlay and Kevin Gorg led plunge teams. Team Barker was pitted against Team Greenlay and Gorg (or Team Frozen 5 Hole). Friendly competition to see who could raise the most money. Team Frozen 5 Hole was the larger of the two teams (probably about twice the size) but Barker's team was plucky! Oh and Cam was matching all donations made to his team! Not to mention his team had the adorable (yet unidentifiable) MN Wild mascot Nordy plunging too. (I have to think that all that fur would be awfully heavy when wet)
Waitin' to Plunge
Greenlay interviews Barker and Nordy
Frozen 5 Holes
So where was I when all this was going down. Well, not plunging that's for sure. Yeah, it is a good cause and all, but seriously I am not crazy! Anyhoo someone (me) had to document this for posterity. That's right I was taking pictures and of course live tweeting the event. Seriously you can check out the hashtag FrigidBrigid for all the exciting updates. Yep, that was me freezing my butt off on aluminum bleachers in 27F weather just for pictures. And I had primo seats cause I got out there early enough, while everyone else was in the VIP tent warm and probably swilling soda and eating chili (or that is what I imagine at least) while my toes and fingers were freezing as I documented this for your enjoyment. (whine, whine, whine)
Team Barker!
And they plunge
Me and Cam Barker
Then it happened, the plunge, a bit of an interview of Barker by Greenlay and then they plunged! It actually looked kinda fun, in that shock and awe sorta way. And they got to chill in a hot tub, while I (and my mom who did the video- she joined me right before the plunge as she was with the other two right before) bolted to the VIP tent, where I warmed up and had some soda and chili. Oh and did I mention that this is when I met Cam Barker (no big deal). Yeah, he was handing out and signing shirts (Team Barker) and autographs. Got a picture with him. Somewhere in that search of #FrigidBrigid there is a pic of Susie, Agnes and Cam Barker. And finally here is some video of the excitement!
Sunrise Sunset quickly flow the days... mumble, mumble.
I love Fiddler on the Roof. But honestly that has nothing to do with this blog post. Beyond the fact that sunsets and are mentioned in both. And I love Fiddler on the Roof and I love sunsets. I've seen some spectacular ones in my travels. Seen some amazing ones at home too, but I usually don't have access to my camera or am too lazy to go and get it instead of just enjoying the sunset. Or I am driving, and trust me, not the time for pictures.
I think some of my favorite have been over water. And then some have been in the mountains. Like flowers I just can't pick a favorite. Chalk it up to my indecisive nature. That is also the reason that up until about a month ago, my background changed almost daily, sometimes a few times a day. But I digress, I have been very lucky to have seen so many amazing sunsets.
I went to college in Bemidji for my bachelors. As I've mentioned Bemidji is about 2.5 hours from everywhere that is any where. Don't get me wrong I adore Bemidji! How can you not? It is a lovely area, and a quaint town. It's got character! But even thought it has an awesome lake, none can compare to the one that Duluth has got. I think it was my third year in Bemidji, when my roommate, my bestie, and I went to Duluth. It was fall semester, 'cause Jess became my roommate the previous spring. So the three of us piled in to my old Lincoln Town Car (named the Jonas Quinn II, but called the JQII, we all had a bit of a Stargate Obsession at the time, and I was madly in love with Jonas Quinn) and headed to Duluth.
So I got some time on my hands. About a half an hour, anyways, class (yes, my super exciting intro to microcomputers) is going to start late... Not that that would have stopped my blogging. I can multitask like nobody’s business! So as I have alluded to I have returned to school. I am now an accounting student! This is exciting for me. But I am still in my heart a Bemidji State Alum. I studied poli sci there. It was a glorious five years and the city of Bemijdi has one gorgeous lake to call its own.
Told ya this would be a two parter. This time, we have a bit of the, promenade might be the word, near downtown Estes Park and a trip a to Lily Lake. Lily lake was my go to spot in Estes. I spent many an hour there, reading, walking, smelling trees. It was grand. You had to be there. 
Every now and then I stumble across something on the internet that is sooo much fun to use to play with my pictures. Last time it was that whole black, white and color thing. This time it was that whole retro picture thing. (Have faith, if I get interested in it again, there might be a picture to painting post!) Now, I'm not the greatest at editing, nor am I a part of that instragram fad, my phone isn't smart enough. But I did find something fun on the Internets. I guess the new fad is new to old or vice versa. I enjoy playing around with it. 
Sunrise Sunset quickly flow the days... mumble, mumble.
I think some of my favorite have been over water. And then some have been in the mountains. Like flowers I just can't pick a favorite. Chalk it up to my indecisive nature. That is also the reason that up until about a month ago, my background changed almost daily, sometimes a few times a day. But I digress, I have been very lucky to have seen so many amazing sunsets. 
So I got some time on my hands. About a half an hour, anyways, class (yes, my super exciting intro to microcomputers) is going to start late... Not that that would have stopped my blogging. I can multitask like nobody’s business! So as I have alluded to I have returned to school. I am now an accounting student! This is exciting for me. But I am still in my heart a Bemidji State Alum. I studied poli sci there. It was a glorious five years and the city of Bemijdi has one gorgeous lake to call its own.