MARC'S MEMOS
7-11-11
I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Colorado. We flew into Denver, rented a car and headed to our destination. Our planned visit was to Rocky Mountain National Park and the little town that lies just outside the entrance. Estes Park is its name and is derived from the founder’s last name and “Park” which had the connotation of ‘Valley” at the time.
Estes Park provides a free shuttle system to navigate the town. This helps alleviate some of the traffic. There is still some congestion though as the population of this little hamlet swells during the summer. I understand that approximately two million people visit the area. This is due to the beautiful scenery everywhere you look and its proximity to Denver. The milder temperatures and clean mountain air make it a refreshing respite from the city.
We did drive the car to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. We took Trail Ridge Road that is the highest continually paved road in the U.S and made our way to the Alpine Visitor’s Center at 11,796 ft. above sea level. There was still quite a bit of snow to be seen at that altitude and it was the 4th of July!
Speaking of the 4th of July, we had an awesome view of a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Estes from a bench just outside our hotel room. It was an unforgettable ending to a very memorable day.
Estes Park is also home to the Stanley Hotel, which you may remember from the movie “The Shinning.” You can get there by boarding the free Blue-Line shuttle from the Visitor’s Center in town. Besides stopping at the hotel, it also circles Lake Estes as well and the entire loop only takes about thirty minutes before returning to the Visitor’s Center.
I highly recommend a visit to this little gem if you are ever in Colorado. It is only ten minutes from the entrance to the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park. I will definitely go back again!
UNTIL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE! MARC
I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Colorado. We flew into Denver, rented a car and headed to our destination. Our planned visit was to Rocky Mountain National Park and the little town that lies just outside the entrance. Estes Park is its name and is derived from the founder’s last name and “Park” which had the connotation of ‘Valley” at the time.
Estes Park provides a free shuttle system to navigate the town. This helps alleviate some of the traffic. There is still some congestion though as the population of this little hamlet swells during the summer. I understand that approximately two million people visit the area. This is due to the beautiful scenery everywhere you look and its proximity to Denver. The milder temperatures and clean mountain air make it a refreshing respite from the city.
We did drive the car to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. We took Trail Ridge Road that is the highest continually paved road in the U.S and made our way to the Alpine Visitor’s Center at 11,796 ft. above sea level. There was still quite a bit of snow to be seen at that altitude and it was the 4th of July!
Speaking of the 4th of July, we had an awesome view of a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Estes from a bench just outside our hotel room. It was an unforgettable ending to a very memorable day.
Estes Park is also home to the Stanley Hotel, which you may remember from the movie “The Shinning.” You can get there by boarding the free Blue-Line shuttle from the Visitor’s Center in town. Besides stopping at the hotel, it also circles Lake Estes as well and the entire loop only takes about thirty minutes before returning to the Visitor’s Center.
I highly recommend a visit to this little gem if you are ever in Colorado. It is only ten minutes from the entrance to the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park. I will definitely go back again!
UNTIL NEXT TIME, TAKE CARE! MARC
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