Sprague Lake

Armed with our timed entry passes, eight of us (minus still ailing Corbin and his dad) entered Rocky Mountain National Park at the Beaver Meadows gate and drove down Bear Lake Road as far as the Sprague Lake parking area.

As we started walking the flat trail around the lake, we almost immediately spotted a cow moose cavorting in the water near the opposite shore. She was joined a short time later by her calf. Although there were quite a few people around the lake on the trail, everyone pretty much came to a halt while the moose were in the water. It was quite a show!

We departed the trail around the lake and set out on a trail through the woods toward Glacier Basin. This walk offered opportunities for exploring rocks and sticks and animal droppings. We stopped for a snack at the Glacier Basin Campground, then turned around and walked the trail in reverse.

After lunch at Sprague Lake, we loaded up and drove back up Bear Lake Road to the Moraine Park Discovery Center. This was a nice set of exhibits for kids, and a souvenir shop that is also designed to be irresistible to youngsters.

After discoveries were made and purchases were completed, we walked the short trail around the Center before heading home so that the little ones could rest. No naps were taken, however.

Dinner was leftovers, but we ate very well and cleaned out the refrigerator before tomorrow's departure. Cleaning -- or at least picking up and packing -- was the evening activity until the kids went to bed. Then the adults sat on the deck talking until bedtime came for them, as well.