Note that the day of the trip matches the day of the month--Day Four=July Fourth--nice planning!!
Left Motel Carrie--made it for five blocks before we stopped.
Had breakfast at one of Carrie's faves--Mama's
left Denver on US 36--the same US36 that goes thru Indy, Rockville, and Dana, Indiana.
Helen says it's a pretty drive--not "like Yike's Peak!!"
Went to Estes Park. and then thru Rocky Mountain National Park. Discovered that we are just barely old enough to buy a lifetime National Park Pass for $10.
I was in Estes Park (or RMNP) way back in 1963. Mom, Anny, and I went to visit my Cousin Jane in Denver and went up to the north to visit Jane's husband's grandparents at their cabin on Grand Lake which is on the south end of RMNP. I waterskied there and I seem to remember Anny tried but Ron Wright kept pulling her out of the water too fast. We also went into the town of GRand Lake and saw a movie--Gunfight at OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas--still a favorite movie. We later left Denver with Jane and her two little boys and drove all night to St. Louis--to Jane's mother's (Mom's sister)
While we were in CO, I drove up to see Jack Duncan who had moved to Steamboat Springs the year B4. I played basketball and sprained my ankle--drove back to Denver and never took my foot fully off the gas (couldn't).
stopped at 8:52 to get Jenna's pix over the phone from DC.
took lots of pix in RMNP--really pretty scenery.
This is where the boys from the County are coming for a 30 mile hike July 9.
Stopped at Rainbow Curve--great view--saw a Clark's Nutcracker (related to a crow) and took a few pix. This place is at 10,829 feet. stopped once more above tree line--"still not a nice drive" quote from guess who.
Left Motel Carrie--made it for five blocks before we stopped.
Had breakfast at one of Carrie's faves--Mama's
left Denver on US 36--the same US36 that goes thru Indy, Rockville, and Dana, Indiana.
Helen says it's a pretty drive--not "like Yike's Peak!!"
Went to Estes Park. and then thru Rocky Mountain National Park. Discovered that we are just barely old enough to buy a lifetime National Park Pass for $10.
I was in Estes Park (or RMNP) way back in 1963. Mom, Anny, and I went to visit my Cousin Jane in Denver and went up to the north to visit Jane's husband's grandparents at their cabin on Grand Lake which is on the south end of RMNP. I waterskied there and I seem to remember Anny tried but Ron Wright kept pulling her out of the water too fast. We also went into the town of GRand Lake and saw a movie--Gunfight at OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas--still a favorite movie. We later left Denver with Jane and her two little boys and drove all night to St. Louis--to Jane's mother's (Mom's sister)
While we were in CO, I drove up to see Jack Duncan who had moved to Steamboat Springs the year B4. I played basketball and sprained my ankle--drove back to Denver and never took my foot fully off the gas (couldn't).
stopped at 8:52 to get Jenna's pix over the phone from DC.
took lots of pix in RMNP--really pretty scenery.
This is where the boys from the County are coming for a 30 mile hike July 9.
Stopped at Rainbow Curve--great view--saw a Clark's Nutcracker (related to a crow) and took a few pix. This place is at 10,829 feet. stopped once more above tree line--"still not a nice drive" quote from guess who.
Stopped at place 12,020 feet--Helen can't imagine that Grandmother Kate liked this even a little--even back in 63.
Visitor's Center at 11,796 ft.
Direct quote from Helen's journal:
"What goes up must come DOWN. Did we really need to do this?? Oh, good! I see trees again. Now I understand the $10 lifetime pass. Most don't live thru it and the park isn't losing much"
Crossed the Continental Divide--firstof many times.
Noticed brown (dead trees)--later found out it's due to the box pine beetle--there is an infestation of 150 years or so--natural progression--new trees, etc. Trees affected are lodgepole pines--Indians used them for their lodges (tepees)
ate lunch at Java Lava Cafe in Granby CO. drove to Steamboat Springs along river--beautiful scenery.
Watched fireworks in downtown SS from Comfort Inn parking lot--really good for a small community.
We now have a total of 36 state license plates.
Stats: OD 22125; total 1,127 mi.; ave 24.0 mpg;used 59.5 gals; ave speed=48.2 mph.
Visitor's Center at 11,796 ft.
Direct quote from Helen's journal:
"What goes up must come DOWN. Did we really need to do this?? Oh, good! I see trees again. Now I understand the $10 lifetime pass. Most don't live thru it and the park isn't losing much"
Crossed the Continental Divide--firstof many times.
Noticed brown (dead trees)--later found out it's due to the box pine beetle--there is an infestation of 150 years or so--natural progression--new trees, etc. Trees affected are lodgepole pines--Indians used them for their lodges (tepees)
ate lunch at Java Lava Cafe in Granby CO. drove to Steamboat Springs along river--beautiful scenery.
Watched fireworks in downtown SS from Comfort Inn parking lot--really good for a small community.
We now have a total of 36 state license plates.
Stats: OD 22125; total 1,127 mi.; ave 24.0 mpg;used 59.5 gals; ave speed=48.2 mph.
Mom's quote about the lifetime pass is hilarious. I can't believe they'll give it to you for $10. Doesn't this country have a deficit?
ReplyDeleteI love Estes Park and RMNP. That's where I saw (and got on) my first glacier. Actually that may be my only glacier. Now Jenna will have to get out there and see the park.