Another chill day ...

I slept in while Rouse went in search of birds. Hmmm.... sound like a familiar routine?

We had a relaxed breakfast, then rode our bikes around the ponds of St Vrain State Park. Of course, Rouse had his binoculars with him. I think it's the first time we've gone birding while biking. It was efficient!

On our way back to the campsite, we almost ran over a bull snake. He was crossing the trail, stretched out to his full nearly 5' length. Since Rouse was looking up, I was the one to spot him. Beautiful creature.

We headed over to Noah and Susanna's house. It was another workday for them. Susanna has been long on work and short on employees in the kitchen, so has been working extra long days. We haven't even seen her yet! Noah, too, had a full schedule.

Rouse planned to do a little work himself, offering his yard maintenance skills. Threatening skies provided pleasant conditions for outside work. A little cloud cover and a nice breeze make all the difference.

After Noah finished his work, we had a nice sunset stroll through the marshland at Walden Ponds. Most birds had already gone to roost with the late afternoon thunderstorms, but we did see a kingfisher, plus mixed flocks of blackbirds settling in for the night in the cattails at water's edge.

We finished the day with dinner al fresco, along with marguaritas on the rocks, at Teocalli Cocina Mexican Restaurant in Old Lafayette. A light breeze was blowing. The air was cool and fresh. We headed to our prospective beds satisfied and ready to sleep.

breakfast view

birding on a bike

get a feel for the size of this bull snake

Here's looking at you!

That's a BIG cottonwood tree!

relaxing in Noah's backyard

selfie with Henry Dog

sunset stroll

The smoke from faraway fires has cleared. We can see the peaks.