Three Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Last night I was blessed with a sighting of three Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep near Georgetown, Colorado as I was driving Interstate 70.

Finally a dream come true after many trips through the Rocky Mountains without ever sighting bighorn sheep.

The sighting came as I was driving I-70 going 60 mph at about 10,000 feet in elevation. No cars immediately behind me meant I could slow down as I moved to the left lane and passed by the bighorn sheep going about 25 mph.

The three sheep were standing next to the freeway at dusk. There was no barrier to keep the bighorn sheep from stepping five feet into the I-70 road traffic.

My first impression is these bighorn sheep were huge. A little Wikipedia reading informs me that Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are the largest of the three North American sub-species. Males can weigh up to 500 pounds. The three bighorn sheep I saw looked to be full sized males. The bighorn sheep’s curved horns can weigh more than 30 pounds.

Unfortunately my camera was in the trunk of my car.

This photo is from Wikipedia. Imagine three of these images side-by-side and that was my sighting.

I pray they headed back into the wilderness to survive the night.

Wikimedia Commons: Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) in front of Mount Wilbur in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Washing the gravel out of my travel

The second best thing I saw last night was this hotel room amenity at the Westin Riverfront Villas in Avon, Colorado.

After seven days and nights on the road, I needed to wash out the dirt and gravel from my travel.

Patio view of Beaver Creek Mountain ski area from Westin Riverfront, Avon.

This property has average rates of $322. My rate last night was $116.

Full review of Westin Riverfront Resort to come soon. I have to visit some Beaver Creek area resorts today and touch Moab, Utah for stargazing tonight.