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Saturday, April 16
We are off on another adventure, this time to Estes Park, CO. It is nestled in the Rocky Mountains on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. We came over to meet our friends from Georgia: Marguerite, Preston and Ginnie, who are here for a family wedding.
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| Rocky Mountain National Park |
It was a long 8 hour drive over here from Salt Lake City, most of it on I-80 through Wyoming along a high plain. Actually, no more interesting than Kansas after the first 30 minutes. We stopped for lunch in Laramie. Not much else to say on that.
Ft Collins was a surprise; very prosperous with a pretty hip, though somewhat touristy, downtown. I would be interested in spending a little time there. I did notice a surplus of coffeehouses and liquor stores, due, no doubt, to the presence of the university.
We met up with Marguerite and Preston for a GIANT steak dinner after we finally made it to Estes Park. The folks at Nicky's Resort Cattleman's Restaurant and Lounge know how to grill a great steak! It is right on the creek (which probably qualifies as a river out here in the West) though it was already dusk when we arrived, so we couldn't see much of the water. Fabulous raspberry cheesecake was had by the piggy ones in the group – the MacGregors – for dessert.
Sunday, April 17
Our very cute little cabin has these great skylights that let in the morning light, so we were up at 6:00 this morning. We went for a run to help work out yesterday's long drive. It was a bit breezy. At one point we turned into the wind while running downhill and I felt like I was making no progress at all: Nature's treadmill. It was not a long run, but I think I got a really good workout none-the-less.
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| Knotty or Nice Cabin |
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| Cabin |
We are heading out for brunch with Marguerite, Preston and Ginnie in a few minutes and then plan to go to the visitors center at Rocky Mountain National Park. I think we will drive the loop and do a little strolling on some shorter trails. Then back here to the cabin to grill out and plan tomorrow's activities....
Later
So the temperature dropped and the clouds rolled in while we ate an obscene amount at brunch. By the time we were ready to head to the Park it was raining lightly but steadily. We pushed through and drove along the loop that is open this time of year. The views were still spectacular despite the rain and higher elevation snow. No hiking, just quick forays out of the van at pullouts for photo ops and to look at the view. We did see little bighorn sheep and a bajillon elk, both inside and the park and all over town. In fact, we have seen so many elk that we are now bored with them.
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| Little Bighorn Sheep |
On our way out of the Park we stopped at the Visitors Center and shopped at the adjacent colossal gift shop full of completely needless items. Doing our part for the local economy! We managed to kill a pretty good amount of time for a car full of people who don't really shop!
Monday, April 18
We ran down to the restaurant to meet for breakfast before the Georgia contingent headed to Denver to the airport. Great place called The Eggs and I with eggs cooked anyway you could possibly imagine. We all ate a lot again. Needless to say, we walked back to the cabin.
Rob and I plan to hike/snowshoe up to Chasm Lake after he finishes sleeping off breakfast. Like yesterday, it started off sunny, warmish and calm this morning with the temperature dropping and the wind picking up as the sun has gotten higher in the sky. At least the sun is still shining today, for now anyway.
(The above was written, though not posted, in real time. The rest was written well after the fact once we got home and got resettled.)
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| Elizabeth on Chasm Lake Trail |
The hike/snowshoe was definitely a snowshoe! The wind was blowing with some seriousness, but it wasn't too bad while we were in the trees. Once we got above the tree line, the snow was extremely deep, the trail disappeared and the wind howled. We only spent a few minutes out in the open before we headed back down. Made me realize how quickly you can get in trouble out there if conditions change. I was very cold, very quickly out in the wind.
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| Bridge on Chasm Lake Trail |
After the snowshoe we went back to the cabin and read in front of our fireplace. Very cosy and comfortable! We watched the rain come and go through the skylights and were glad to be in where it was warm and dry.
We left Tuesday morning and headed due south from Estes Park on Highway 7. The road was slow, but took us through small towns and stunning scenery. Much more interesting than I-80 across Wyoming!
We dropped down to I-70 just below a little old mining town called Central City that has had a rebirth as a casino town. It was built in a very narrow canyon and is quite picturesque. Kind of like Park City, only more so.
We got on the interstate east of the Eisenhower Tunnel so we had the fun of going through the tunnel and passing the Continental Divide sign inside it. Snow and ice started to stick to the road as the elevation dropped on the west side of the tunnel.
We spent the night in Vail, rented a car on Wednesday morning and drove back to Salt Lake City. Vacation over.
Rosie the Mini has gone to the great car crusher in the sky, may she rest in peace.
But up until that last part we had a great time and would love to go back to Estes Park! We also had a great time visiting with our friends Marguerite, Preston and Ginnie and look forward to seeing them again soon.
