Sylvan, abounding in trees, wooded.

Sylvan Lake

 
     We went camping this week at Sylvan Lake State Park, about 15 miles South of Eagle, CO.  It lived up to its billing as being sylvan.   Aspen groves, pine, fir and spruce abound.  The lake is surrounded by mountains....Red Table Mountain and Mount Eve, a winding red cliff.
     We stayed in Sneeve's Cabin.  Anthony Sneeve was the original landowner back in the early 1900s, a reported misogynist by nature.  We were glad to have the heat the little propane stove provided us at night.  The weather was cool and damp and a reminder that October is just around the corner.

Sneeve's Cabin, Cabin # 9

     We took a 5 mile hike up Sneeve Gulch trail which wound 2 1/2 miles steeply up through aspen groves.  There were frequent meadows with wildflowers, as well.  It was truly gorgeous.


A view of Sylvan Lake as we began our hike up Sneeve Gulch Trail.

      We also walked around the lake several times and took other short, beautiful hikes.  One day it rained hard and continuously so we went to Plan B and drove to Aspen, CO, as we had never been there.  The drive through Glenwood Canyon was gorgeous.  We  window-shopped under store awnings to avoid the rain.  We had a fantastic nutritarian lunch at the Pyramid Bistro, located upstairs from the Explore Bookstore in an historic Victorian  house on Main street.  We highly recommend eating there if you are ever in Aspen, CO.
    This Stellar's Jay came around at every mealtime and screeched to let us know he was hungry too.  He was a funny guy, and would suddenly puff out his chest feathers until he looked like a blue puffball.  I wanted to make him work for his dinner, so put a nut on each rock encircling our campfire area.  He followed right behind me eating as fast as I could place the nuts.  I imagine this is not a new game for him, that kids and goofy adults like me have done this all summer long.

     We hope to go back there again in future years and hike more of the many great trails available, weather permitting of course.  It was a fun, active vacation and went too quickly.  Hiking is a great and enjoyable exercise....3 hours can pass by without even being noticed.
     Sidenote:  We hadn't realized that hunting season had started for bow and muzzle-loading hunting.  We saw more hunters in their bright orange garb than we saw wildlife.  Next time we go in September, we will know to wear vivid bright colors, and will feel safer.