We hiked in the Bear Lake area today. First we took a short loop trail around Bear Lake itself. There are lots of good memories associated with Bear Lake, and walking around it is like renewing an old friendship. Then we set out on the more ambitions Bierstadt Lake trail. It is a lovely hike through the forest. Suddenly you break out of the trees seeing the lake and a beautiful view of Longs Peak, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. Letting everyone make their own trail mix turned out to be a good idea. We sat on the rocks and munched our snacks, and enjoyed the view before returning to the car. In all we hiked a little more than five miles. Not bad for our first day at high altitude.

I am a photographer as well as a writer. Everywhere we go on vacation I carry a backpack with 10 pounds of camera equipment. I'll shoot about one roll of slide film per day on this trip. I'll also have stronger shoulder and leg muscles by the time we get home.

Dinner tonight was at the Big Horn Restaurant. Their buffalo burger looked good to me. Buffalo is a Type O beneficial, but it is next to impossible to get where I live. Unfortunately the side choices were fries, onion rings, mashed potatoes or 3-bean salad. As I read through the menu, I had noticed grilled liver and onions. Our waiter was a nice German exchange student. I asked if I could have grilled onions, like the ones served with liver, as my side order to a buffalo burger. He was agreeable. I discarded the bun, and ate my buffalo patty with a knife and fork along with lettuce, sliced tomato and grilled onions. My son chose the elk burger. I presume that elk is ok since venison is beneficial.