1 - There's a first time for everything
Moose are huge, so do as I say and not as I do.
When you see a moose, the recommended distance you should be at is no less than 120 feet away. This week, I was no more than 50 feet away from one. Some friends and I saw her happily snacking on tree branches on our way to the Kruger Rock trailhead. We were lucky (and stupid) enough to walk carefully around her so as to not disturb her.
The happy moose snacking away as we tiptoe around her. I’m singing a campfire song about a moose who likes to drink a lot of juice in the background. Part of the job is entertaining kids around a campfire.
Earlier this month we also passed by a group of elk on the way to the local grocery store. In general, you should be at least 75 feet away from elk. We did not follow this guideline, so do as I say, not as I do.
This group of elk were chilling on the side of the road. At this time of the year, their velvet antlers are growing in.
Today I went snowboarding for the second time ever. I still can’t stick the chair lift landing, but I can glide for over a mile. The snow was fresh, and at the highest point we got to, the air was thick and white. At over 10,000 feet in elevation, Earth starts to look like a different planet. White everywhere you look, and heavy mist, almost indistinguishable from the ground.
You’d be surprised by how quickly your body can adapt to new conditions. My work as an environmental education instructor means hiking with kids for hours a day, at an elevation of over 8,000 feet. My steps per day are at over 12,000 on average. For reference, I was at around 5,000 steps a day about a month ago. Doubling your physical activity in such a short span of time is not typical; but, once you adjust to the elevation and new physical demands, it feels amazing.
After being here for almost a month, I can confidently say that seasonal work is a life hack. I get to wake up right next to Rocky Mountain National Park every day, with a panoramic view of the mountains all around me.
This is what I saw upon waking up in Estes Park for the first time ever. The picture was taken on my way to breakfast.