So here it is, the last post. I'll have to admit that I was not looking forward to ending the blog, but it's hard to be anything but grateful at the close of such an amazing journey. So, with a bit a of a heavy heart, here it is, the last leg of our trip.

We visited Rocky Mountain National Park the way everyone should, serenaded by John Denver.

We saw more wildlife in this park than on the entire trip! But sorry to disappoint you Mama T, still no bears.

 At this point I would like to take the time to mention some of the reasons we will miss living in the woods:

   -spitting our toothpaste on the ground
   -dumping our pasta water on the ground
   -not being required to wear makeup (or in Marc's case, shave)
   -all the fresh air
   -feeling fit and strong and tan
   -wearing a shirt for the third day in a row because "Hey, it  
    doesn't smell that bad yet!"
   -the exhilarating feeling of driving to the next destination

Our first elk sighting!

"Rocky Mountain high, Colorado."

We drove Southeast along the edge of the National Park into Roosevelt National Forest. Down a nerve-testing rocky dirt road we found a hidden gem of a campground, Rainbow Lakes. At 10,000 feet elevation this was our highest campground yet. It is a wonderfully maintained area, no surprise to us since it is managed by American Land and Leisure. We have to give a hand to these guys. Every campground we have been to on our trip that was managed by them was immaculate!

We decided to do ourselves proud on our last hike and make it a long one- fifteen miles! We took the Arapaho Glacier Trail directly behind our campsite and hiked to the lookout at over 12,500 feet in elevation.

This was a tough hike, but absolutely worth it. The views were breathtaking and so was the altitude!

 As we ate our lunch and stared in awe at what is left of the Arapaho Glacier we considered ourselves lucky, we had definitely left the best hike for last.

After a couple of nights at Rainbow Lakes we drove to Boulder to see an old friend of Marc's at the Twisted Pine Brewery. This is a great local Brewery with flavorful craft brews and tasty food, the Veggie Pizza in particular.

Our last stop of the trip was in Denver where Scott and Katie very graciously put us up in their guest room. Although we were bummed about the trip ending, we had a great time with them! Thanks for showing us around Denver guys!

 I got the chance to go rock climbing in the Rocky Mountains. It is much more difficult with no nicely color coordinated routes to follow!

For all the help along the way we want to give a a big thank you to:

- All our family and friends for being supportive of our dream

- Big Agnes Tents- Steamboat Springs, CO

- Coleman Appliances (40 year old stove and still kickin')

- Fred and Suzi Dow for all the insight on NF Campgrounds

- America the Beautiful Pass (without which our trip would've been a bit more expensive)

- All of our new friends with their many good suggestions

- Bass Pro Shop- We're glad you made it out to CA!

- J.R. and Courtney, Robert, Shari and Howard, Scott and Katie for a much needed warm bed

- Justin (you know who you are)

- E-Trailer- Wentzville, MO

- And of course, all of our loyal readers!!!

And then, and only because our bank accounts would not allow us to continue any longer, we went home.

In our two and a half months on the road we (well Marc actually drove the entire way) drove 10,000 miles through thirteen states visiting ten National Parks, fifteen National Forests, and five State Parks, and it was a priceless experience. We are grateful beyond words for the opportunity to complete this once in a lifetime journey. 

The Australian Aborigines called it a Walkabout, the Native Americans called it a Vision Quest. These cultures believed they could find what they were looking for in nature, and now we must agree.