Estes Park, and RMNP was the first destination that we visited in which we were slightly under-whelmed. Granted we had just visited, Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Galacier, The Black Hills, etc and our expectations were high. Rocky Mountain National Park was very diverse. Everything from high altitude tundra to rivers winding through meadows. We drove on the highest continuous highway in the US. A two lane road at 12,183 feet with shear drop-offs on both sides and hiked to a beautiful high altitude lake.
Estes Park where we are staying however, is packed with tourists trying to make the most of their 2 weeks a year off. The town is crowded with cars, the sidewalks full of people pushing their way from shop to shop looking for a deal on authentic Rocky Mountain merchandise, made or course in China.
Even we succumbed to a few touristy moments... like a visit to the Historic Stanley Hotel, Stephen King's inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in the Shining. It was used in the filming of the made-for-TV version. There you can buy a coffee mug with REDRUM on the side.
It is now Sunday and as were watching the campground empty of people who have to be at work tomorrow morning, I'm thinking to myself.... this place isn't so bad after all.
3 comments:
The moose actually reminds me of the show "Northern Exposure" - hello Cicely! No? Well, looks great anyway! N - V - US!
Janet
I noticed you were driving 26MPH on HWY 93 at 10am outside of Boulder. Do you think you are taking your new lifestyle a little too easy?
Speed limit was actually 15mph.... still haven't slowed down enough!
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