Weather Hold III

OK, this post isn't really about a cruise on the Molly Claire, but it is about water.  On our way home from a wonderful summer of cruising, we stopped for a visit with my brother Don and his friend, Bob Rappel at Bob's beautiful home in Estes Park Colorado.  We intended a one day, two-night visit.  It turned out a little differently.   Here's the story in pictures.

Our view as we crossed Rocky Mountain NP on Trail Ridge Road...an omen, perhaps.

Bob Rappel's home on Jacob Road just south of Estes Park.

The view from Bob's house, overcast but dry on Wednesday afternoon.

It really rained on Wednesday night and we were all awakened early on Thursday morning by a roaring sound.

It was the little spring that ran beside Bob's house that had turned into this.

Across Jacob Rd, Bob's pasture was soaked and the East Fork of Fish Creek was roaring too.

Up the road from Bob's house, Jacob Rd was washing out.

Ross checking out our way out on Jacob Rd...not looking good.

The Prius wouldn't get through this.  We settled in for a longer stay.

By Thursday afternoon, Jacob Rd. looked like this.

Two of the horses Bob boards were caught on the opposite side of the creek.

The creek continued to rage through Bob's pasture.

And the rain kept coming.

Friday morning, a bit drier, but the creek is cutting away at Bob's pasture.

Saturday morning, Don considers crossing the creek to get the horses, but prudently decides to wait.

The view up the creek, Saturday morning.

On Friday and Saturday we made "recon" hikes out to Fish Creek Road, our main road out.  What we found was jaw-dropping.  Now we knew we were not going anywhere soon.

Saturday, the creek is still raging through Bob's pasture...

...and eroding away ever more land.

More tranquil views from Bob's pasture.

On Sunday, Don lures the hungry "refugees" back across the creek.

Monday morning the Sheriff's Dept. arrived on ATVs with a "one-time" offer to evacuate.  Since Bob depends on a ventricular pump and Don is his primary care person, they decided to accept the offer.  Ross and I followed them out on Bob's ATV so we would know the route, but returned to keep an eye on Bob's house and the horses.

Here comes the posse.

Bob loading up.

Heading out.

Back on good road, Bob greets his relieved daughter.

On the way back, we see some more of decimated Fish Creek Road.

We spotted these elk in the middle of Fish Creek...

...and this big guy keeping an eye on his girls, undaunted by the current,

Here's the erstwhile "off roader".

Making our way back.

We stopped at this intersection,

where some good Samaritans were starting to build a way out.

By Tuesday morning, the new "bridge" was in place.

Of course we paused to watch the operation.

Jacob Rd and Bob's pasture, Wednesday morning view.

Meanwhile, the good Samaritans have started work on Jacob Road.

Jacob Road, Thursday morning - a "Prius passable" road and a minor miracle!

Our road out over Fish Creek, Thursday morning - a real "piece of work".

This is how it looked the previous Sunday.

Thursday afternoon, work continues on up Jacob Road.

East Fork of FIsh Creek, Bob's pasture, a week later.

On Thursday, Bob and Don returned over the miraculously repaired roads.  We treated ourselves to dinner in Estes Park and were in turn treated to a Rocky Mountain sunset and moon rise.

A crisp Friday morning on Jacob Road and we're ready to leave...what a week!

We bid adieu to our pals in the pasture...

Lone Star, the old guy,

Rowdy, the jumper, who prudently stayed put for the week,

Lil, the comely little filly,

and the always hungry, Jack.

Ross, Don, Joyce and Bob, the "Jacob Road Flood Survivors Society".