Rocky Mountain National Park
Of all the sights to feast your eyes on in Rocky National Mountain Park, this one is easy to ignore. In the photo above, the foreground—the ground, that is—looks like a bunch of burgundy weeds and scattered stones. Not too impressive, when your eyes are automatically pulled to soaring mountaintops dotted with glacial features and ice.
Stay on the path
In September of 2025, Mart, our daughter, and I had just driven Trail Ridge Road up the side of the mountain to the very top, to stop at the Alpine Visitor Center. Along the way, we saw truly stunning sites that I could not have imagined—soaring summits and awe-inspiring beauty wherever we looked.
After we left the visitor center (more on that in another post), we decided to stop and see Mushroom Rocks, which was just around the bend, about a five minute drive away.
Pulling off of Trail Ridge Road, we parked and began walking up Tundra Communities Trail, a steep trail that led to Mushroom Rocks.
I wondered, what even is a tundra? I couldn’t remember.
I trudged up the trail, with the rocks in sight ahead. I might have overlooked the plants and flowers lining the trail if it had not been for the strong chill wind whipping my hair around my face and my heavy breathing caused by the altitude. I took it slow. It felt like a hard climb, even though it wouldn’t have been if not for the altitude.
As I stopped along the trail to rest and catch my breath, I read the signs beside the path. They explained the intricacies of the tundra’s ecology and warned visitors to stay on the trail to avoid trampling the plants.
Honestly, I thought the plants didn’t look like much. Why the emphatic warnings?
Well, this was one of those times that I paid attention to the warning signs. Because I learned the value of something that would have been easy to dismiss.
Many of these nondescript plants were 100 years old. 100!
But how could that be? I wondered. Shouldn’t they be taller? They’re so short and small.
So small, in fact, that one careless footstep could kill them. The more I read, the more I began to regard them as precious, antique plants. Unexpected beauty, even.
As I continued upward, listening to my own breathing and thinking about the plants, it made me wonder, are there times in my life when I’m careless? Careless with a word, or gesture, or a quick dismissal of someone’s opinion I don’t agree with.
Mushroom Rocks in the distance
And what about the things and people around me that seem unremarkable? People who, in my rush, I may not notice or give much thought to as I go about my life.
I do believe that people are precious—more precious than any plant.
A smile, a wave, an encouraging word, a small moment of connection—these things are often within my power to give if I slow down, take a deep breath, and read the signs along the way.
What about you? Is there someone in your sphere of influence that you can engage with or encourage today?
I'm honored that you've taken time out of your day to stop by my blog, Glimsen. If you like what you see, sign up to receive my blog posts and updates by email, and you'll receive a free gift of beauty in your inbox. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you.