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Aspen Colorado

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Aspen is, well, Aspen.  It’s not only for the rich and famous.  It’s for all of us.  There is so much to see, to take in, to explore if you are just – shall I say it – a tourist.

Maroon Bells Aspen ColoradoLet’s just start with Maroon Bells.  It’s so famous as a picture post card spot.  It’s so majestic.  It’s just so OMG!  We’re happy to say that Doug’s picture of Maroon Bells made the local news.

Go very early in the morning.  Go at sunset.  Just go.  The times we have been there it has been very un-populated with local spectators. It has been remarkably shy of people.  This is what makes this place soooo amazing.  There is the lake.  There is the beaver lodge.  There are the trails.  There is Crater Lake.  There is the wildlife, like blue heron, and geese.  There is an abundance of flora and fauna.  There is peace and tranquility.  Don’t ever come here without a camera.

You can hike here.  You can fish here.  If you are especially outdoor/hiking inclined, you can backpack in here.  You can walk and you can hike.  You can just stand at the lake and look at the Maroon Bells and just take it all in.  This is Colorado at it’s finest.  This place alone is worth the trip to Aspen.

Summertime around the streets of Aspen ColoradoThe town of Aspen is like none other.  It has all the high priced stores you’ve heard the names of.  There are plenty of restaurants. (Our Favorite is Little Annie’s Eating House) There is an abundance of gazillion dollar homes.  There are also many back streets that have such charm and Victorian homes that make walking the streets a sensory trill.  Try not to look at the price tags on the homes for sale.  Look at the architecture. Look at the gardens.  Look at how they decorate the gardens.

Did you know there is actually camping – Forest Service Camping Summertime around the streets of Aspen ColoradoGrounds in Aspen???  The Difficult campground is really nice.  It has all the amenities of most Forest Service campgrounds. Along Maroon Creek, leading up to Maroon Bells also has campgrounds but you’ll need reservations in the summer.  Camping will make your trip to Aspen much more affordable.  While there are many rental condos/homes available – it is, afterall, Aspen, and it can be expensive.  I’ll recommend Snowmass (the ski village right next door) as a less expensive alternative if you’d prefer a condo for your stay. The place we love is the Crestwood Condos.  They have great package deals and it has been recently renovated inside and out!!!  One time we stayed at Silvertree  Hotel which was also nice.

I encourage anyone who is vacationing in Colorado to make the stop in Aspen.  It’s beautiful.  You’ll probably never see a movie star, but there is so much more to experience there.  It’s definitely one of my favorite places go to.

Aspen has 4 world class ski areas: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass (the second largest ski area in the USA).

Plan your any season trip to Aspen Colorado – you won’t be disappointed. Visit the links below!

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Map of the Aspen Colorado and the Maroon Bells.

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Lake City Colorado

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

View a slideshow of Around the town of Lake City ColoradoJust step back in time.  Don’t fight it – just go there.  Lake City is such a special little community, it would be a shame to miss it.  There’s a peacefulness there that is hard to find.  I hear there is great fishing!  I know there are great 4-wheel drives.  OH!  There is also a little store that has a REAL soda fountain and makes REAL milk shakes!

One of the things Doug and I love to do is going to places that are a little out of the way – the road less traveled, if you will.  I think there are treasures in these places if you’re willing to take just a little time to explore them.  Each town is different.  Each has its own history.  Each has its own treasures.

Around the town of Lake City ColoradoI have always liked churches.  Wherever I go, I like to step inside an open church to just take a moment to reflect on the blessings in my life.  Lake City has several churches, fairly close together, that were all open the day we visited.  I was so fortunate to be able to walk inside and take in several houses of different faiths.  Each had its own beauty and charm.

Doug and I took the Alpine Loop for a fun little off-road adventure.  The road was in good condition most of the route. But at higher routes like Engineer and Cinnamon Pass requires 4×4 vehicles. We got to see the sights from a higher perspective.  With all the rain Colorado had this year, the greenery was at its peak.  Plenty of wildflowers were out and that always makes for a photo-op!

Around the town of Lake City Colorado

While we don’t fish, it became apparent very quickly that this is a place for fishermen come to Lake San Cristobal and Rio Grande Reservoir. Fly Fishing at Cebolla Creek, Heart Creek, Hanson Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River runs on the outskirts of town and there was no lack of prey or catch!!!  There are fishing stores, guides,The Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop and Dan’s Fly Shop for the avid or novice fishermen.

In the winter, snowmobiling is the sport of choice!  There’s an abundance of trails and plenty of intown stores to support this fun and exciting winter adventure!!

Don’t let this gem pass you by.  We highly recommend Lake City as a hidden treasure of Colorado!

Note: the weekend of September 26 should be a good weekend for Autumns  fall colors in Lake City.


Map of Lake City Colorado.

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Creede Colorado

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Creede Colorado, The underground Fire station and The Last Chance MineCreede Colorado is a very cool place to visit.  It’s an old mining town that has really stepped up to tourism and becoming a destination vacation place.  How is that possible you say?  Well, aside from seeing old mines from the 1800’s, there’s fishing.  One thing about this part of Colorado – being located at the head waters of the Rio Grande river, there is excellent fishing!  And, the locals support this activity with shops, guides, and well, fish!

We don’t fish.  But we do like adventures to Colorado’s little “treasure towns” as we call them.  Mining back in the 1800’s was the main stay of this place and the possible resurgence of it is promising.  This summer, the town was active with tourists and fishermen.  There are nice little restaurants, outdoor shops, tourist shops and great scenery.

Creede Colorado, The underground Fire station and The Last Chance MineThere are several *very* cool things to see in Creede, but I would have to say that the Underground Fire Station is one of my favorites.  There are new fire trucks BUT there are also vintage ones.  This was a nice surprise for us.  They are well kept and a great photo-op for the family.  Right next door is a mining museum where you can take a tour of a once active mine.  If you’ve never done this before, I highly recommend it.  It is really something to comprehend what the miners had to endure to make a living back in in the day.

Probably my favorite encounter was at the Last Chance Mine.  A fairly easy 4 wheel drive trip up Bachelor Loop road, there’s an unexpected attraction once you get to the end of the road.  Jack MorrisCreede Colorado, The underground Fire station and The Last Chance Mine will greet you (weekends only) and is an exceptional narrator on the history of the mine and how he came to own it.

The *very* cool thing about The Last Chance Mine is that Jack has refurbished and built a couple of  circa 1860’s mining “shacks” that you can spend the night/weekend in!!!  There are tons of original artifacts from the mining days all around the premises.  Also a great find are the rocks and jewelry.  I saw so many pieces that it was truly hard to make up my mind on which to buy.

Make the drive up to The Last Chance Mine.  Definitely make the drive to Creede.  It’s a Colorado Treasure!!

Visit Doug Niedermiller Photography our other website to view photos of Creede and other great Places.

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Map of Creede Colorado.

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Marble, Colorado

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Marble and Redstone ColoradoMarble Colorado is certainly off the beaten track.    But, its certainly worth the drive if you’re even close.  There’s fishing, hiking, camping, off-roading and the scenery is beautiful.

Just know, that the marble from this quarry went to build the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  That alone is worth the trip.  Just think about the journey from the quarry to Washington,  DC that all this marble made to be part of history and to be viewed by millions upon millions of people from all over the world.

When you come to Marble, Colorado its hard to imagine that from this out of the way place came memorials of people that dedicated their lives for this country.

Marble and Redstone ColoradoMarble Colorado is about a 50 mile drive west from Aspen.  It’s not only an easy drive, its a beautiful drive.  Along the way there’s a lovely waterfall, clearly marked as Hays Falls.  The mountains, Crystal River, the farmland all lend itself to a beautiful drive.

As you enter Marble you’ll notice that it is very small – now.  Back in the day it was a thriving mining community and it is still an active mine. There is still life and beauty in this little Colorado treasure.  Don’t miss the opportunity to take this in.

Back in the day this was Ute Indian country.  In the 1870’s it became gold and silver country.  The gold and silver didn’t amount to much but the discovery of marble around 1882 in this area certainly did.

Over time marble became commercialized and demand grew.  A finishing mill was constructed and jobs were created.  This little community grew to about 1,500 residents in the early 1900’s.  The hills of Marble had the world’s largest marble deposit and as the mill thrived, so did the town.  The demand for marble fell during WWI and the population dwindled to about 50 residents.

Marble and Redstone ColoradoThis town has gone through times of growth and constriction.  What remains is an active quarry and an eerie, yet magnificent set of ruins.  It’s a glimpse of Colorado history, like non other.  It’s setting is as majestic and anything you’ll ever see in Colorado.

Bring a picnic lunch and a fishing rod.  It’s worth the drive.  It’s worth your time to see this little gem.

Summer events regularly include an art festival, piano recitals, the marble/marble sculpting symposium, as well as the opportunity to visit with artisans and fine artists in their studios, galleries and shops.

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Air Force Academy Graduation – Thunderbirds

Sunday, May 31st, 2009
View Slideshow of the USAF Thunderbirds

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One of the great pleasures of living in Colorado Springs is that we are home to the United States Air Force Academy.  Doug and I are doubly blessed in that we live very close to the AFA and every May we get a spectacular free air show as the cadets graduate and the Thunderbirds pay tribute to the graduates!

We were nervous this year as we had 5 days of rain in a row- a somewhat rare, especially in May.  Aparently, there has been an outdoor ceremony ever year since 1959, so I’m sure students an parents alike were concerned that this year might break the long standng record.  Good ole Mother came through for us as Graduation Day was met with blue skies and faint traces of white clouds.

It is truly a spectacular site seeing the Thunderbirds fly over – again and again.  We get such a surge of patriotism as we see these gifted pilots fly in formation and perform precision acrobatics that only talent and practice, practice, practice can demon state.  The “show” starts a couple days in advance of graduation as the jets arrive here from their home at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.  We have a spectacular view from our house or anywhere in our neighborhood and they do their “fly-overs”.  Just south of our house they banki their turns and head over the valley and whoosh they are back again.

We always know when they are here.  Colorado Springs is a pretty quite town and especially on the north side of town where the Academy is and where we live.  You just don’t hear much noise except for an occasional lawn mower and the faint buzz of the small planes and practice gliders.  The sound is unmistakable.  My heartbeat always accelerates when the mild roar is heard and as I make a quick run to the windows to try to catch a glimpse of the F16’s.  We look forward to this every year.  And, now that graduation is over, we know they’ll be back this Fall. They come back every year for football season – just a couple of games – military academy against military academy.

There’s nothing like this.  Seeing people stand in the parks, in their yards,  or by special permission park on the side of the freeway.  For a few minutes we are all united.  No politics, no right or left.  We stand there and watch the best of the best and know that this is the greatest country in the world.

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Denver Botanic Gardens – Spring Update

Monday, May 25th, 2009
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Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens

It’s been a few months since we last made the trek to Denver to see the Botanical Gardens. In my last post I was telling you about the construction going on there – and it still going on! I venture to guess that it will continue for at least another year – but don’t let that stop you from visiting!!! The flowers are in bloom and gorgeous!

I have a couple of favorite areas that I *have* to visitevery time. It’s called the Lilac Garden, but I always see irises and lilies. This trip was all about the irises. OMG! Still considered  early in the season, I was astonished at the number and variety in bloom. My two favorite shades are the peach/coral and the lavender/purple ones. Those are just *my* favorite colors. The yellow and white are equally magnificent. Then there are those is the darker colors of brown and gold and even black ones (almost, but not quite in bloom). The colors and shades just seem to be endless. I didn’t see any lilies in bloom this trip, but by June there should be a great start to a color bonanza!

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Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens

My other favorite area is the rose garden, but we were too early for blooms on this trip. I’m always impressed with the plentiful varieties and magnificent colors. I’m hopeful that our next trip will yield both lilies and roses!

Even with construction in many parts of the Gardens ,the walkways are always clean, staff is there to answer questions and noise is at a minimum. Structures are taking shape – the new parking garage and the visitor’s center/entrance are going to be very nice. It will give the whole experience an updated look and feel.

Until next time!

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Colorado Springs

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Things to Do in Colorado Springs

(and near by)

The World's Largest Map Store!

With Pikes Peak in the background and the plains out to the east we’re grateful that we live in one of the often voted “most fit” cities in this country.  There’s an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy year ’round due to our often mild winters and comfortable summers (really comfortable outdoors compared to Phoenix)!  Because Colorado Springs is considered a high desert it’s dry and even in the summer you can plan many of your activities around our later afternoon showers.  Colorado Springs is easy to get around in.  Signs are really pretty good and folks are friendly if you need to ask for directions.

We’ve called Colorado Springs home for over 13 years when we moved here from Phoenix.  We love the clean air and considerably less traffic of bigger cities.  Don’t get me wrong – this town is growing and offering more and more all the time.

Join us on these pages as we tell you and show you about our adopted home town.

Garden of the Gods and the Visitor and Nature Center – 1805 N. 30th St.,  719-634-6666

A must see in Colorado Springs.

The Trading Post has typical tourist stuff as well as nicer artwork in the back room.  The restaurant has decent buffalo burgers.

There are lots of easy walking and hiking trails.  Parking always seems to be sufficient, although it does get a bit crowded in the summer.  There are a limited number of picnic tables and restroom facilities.

The visitor center has a short HD show and there are lots of exhibits, gift shop and indoor/outdoor café.

Fun, Fun, Fun:  Guests love to have their pictures taken at Balancing Rock.  At the very least, drive by it as it is an anomaly.

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site 30th Street & Gateway Road  719-578-6777

This Ranch is right next to Garden of the Gods main entrance.  It’s a Living History Museum depicting four historical periods of Pikes Peak Region development.

Air Force Academy

Another must see (in my opinion)

After 9/11 there has been some restricted areas that cars can no longer drive through.  Access through the gates is easy.  They are strict about the speed limits so don’t push your luck.

Visitors Center – Exit 156-B off I-25  – 719-333-2025.  This building has a very nice gift shop, historical pictures and exhibits.  Open daily 9-5.  Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day  and Christmas Day.

Air Force Chapel  – this is one place I always take out of town guests to see.  It is beautiful and so different that once you are inside it is just something you don’t forget.  (don’t forget to go downstairs – as there are chapels and rooms for other faiths.  Each is unique and serene.

If you are lucky enough to hit the chapel at the right time you might just get to see the cadets practicing marching drills in the grounds next to the chapel.  It is something I have always enjoyed seeing.

Fun, Fun, Fun:  The grounds have a variety of retired air craft that kids and adults love to have their pictures taken with.

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Pikes Peak Highway – US 24 West to Cascade – 719-385-7325 (seasonal)

The road is closed and open depending on the road conditions so I would recommend you call ahead if your trip is in the Spring or Fall. The road is well kept and is really wide enough for two cars.  If you are a bit squeamish of heights just take it slow and you should be fine.  The road does get a little close at times to the edge of steep embankments and there are not always guardrails.

The drive up and the cost to see it from the top is worth in our opinion.

Fun, Fun, Fun:  While there is not an official ski area, every Spring our son and a bunch of his friends ski down certain parts of the mountain.  They are never alone.  For several weeks in the Spring kids (and adults) like to make a decent a few times.  It’s always fun to say you’ve done it.  I think it’s fun to watch.

Pikes Peak Cog Railroad – 515 Ruxton Ave, Manitou Springs 719-685-5401  Open Year Round

If the drive up isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the ride in the train.  It’s slow enough to be able to take pictures, there’s plenty to see that’s you won’t see from your car and you get an experienced guide to give you the history and interesting facts.  Either way get’s you to the top of the 14,110′ peak.  Don’t forget that this is the inspiration for ‘America the Beautiful’.

Yum, Yum, Yum:  Once you get to the top try the donuts – they’re really pretty good.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo- 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road  – 719-633-9925

This is a nice zoo for a “small” town.  Be prepared to hike as some of the pathways are steep.  Staff is  always helpful and informative.  From time to time they have guest animals that make the visit special.  Great views of Colorado Springs from this mountain zoo.

Awe, Awe, Awe:  Whenever baby animals are born and they are on display it is the biggest attraction.  The Giraffes are always entertaining.

Pikes Peak Ghost Town Museum – US 24 and 21st St. 719-634-0696

A replication of a circa 1800’s town of the old west that offers lots of old artifacts, gold panning and shopping.  Typical tourist fare!

Seven Falls – 2850 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road, 719-632-0752

There’s a 224 step stairway to the top for a hearty or an in-mountain elevator to the Eagle’s Nest observation deck.  The Falls are very pretty, especially at Christmas time.

McAlister House Museum – 423 N. Cascade Ave.  719-635-7925

Bear Creek Nature Center – 245 Bear Creek Road ,  719-520-6387

American Numismatic Association Money Museum – 818 N. Cascade Ave. 719-632-2645

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Museum -  30 W. Dale Sr.  719-634-5881

Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center-   5825 Mark Dabling Blvd.

ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the America Cowboy – 101 Pro Rodeo Drive – 719-528-4764

Multi-media presentations, historical cowboy gear and clothing.  Hall of Champions honorees, memorabilia, trophies, sculpture garden, western art and retired rodeo animals.

Olympic Center Complex 1 Olympic Plaza (Boulder Street and Union Blvd.  719-632-5554 – Free Tours

Starsmore Discovery Center – 2120 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road.  719-385-6086 – Free.  Self guided hikes, rock-wall climbing, biking, children’s programs

Western Museum of Mining – 225 North Gate Blvd.  I-25 Exit 156A  719-488-0880

Pioneer Museum – downtown   215 S. Tejon St  719-385-5990

Golf Courses (Public)

Patty Jewett   900 E. Espanola  719-385-6950   18 holes

Valley Hi   610 S. Chelton   709-385-696

Manitou Springs

Manitou Cliff Dwellings – 5miles west of I-25 on Hwy 24   719-685-5242

These are Indian ruins from the 1100-1300 AD.  Open year round except Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Miramont Castle 9 Capital Hill Ave.  719-685-1011

This huge building containing 46 rooms is a National Historic Landmark.  There are self guided tours and lots of different kinds of furniture and architecture.

Arcade Amusements 900 Block of Manitou Ave.  685-9815

Pinball, video, skee-ball, kiddie rides

Cave of the Winds – Six miles west of Colorado Springs off US 24  – 719-685-5444

Guided Tours of a unique geo/venture

Helen Hunt Falls & Cheyenne Canyon

Out of Town, But Still Close By

Dinosaur Resource Center -  201 S. Fairview St.  in Woodland Park  719-686-1820

A nice display of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles from pre-historic North America.

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Denver Botanic Gardens

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

909 York Street

Denver, Colorado, CO 80206

General Info: 720-865-3500

Click on Photo to view slideshowI love to garden and Doug loves to take pictures. Life doesn’t get much better than this! The Denver Botanical Gardens is rich in variety, sizes, shapes, colors and smells. It is a peaceful place near the hub-bub of a big city. We have gone here for years, but our trip in February 2009 was met with unexpected surprises.

We made plans to go because our membership brochure told us of a forced tulip display (Tulip Mania). They actually take tulips and inside provide the right environment to force blooming is the middle of the winter! This was certainly enough to peak our interest!

When we pulled onto York Street we were stunned to see the amount of new construction going on. The parking lot was all dug up and the entrance was fenced off and yellow construction tape was making pathways to over here and around over to there in order to get in. We get inside and they have huge banner across one wall talking about the project to expand and improve the whole garden. Yikes – we thought it was pretty swell just the way it was – but lo and behold – this place is going to rock when it’s done. New parking, new main building, new science center, updated Japanese Tea Garden, etc., etc. We can’t wait!!!

While there wasn’t much to see outside as Denver in the winter is pretty bleak for gardens and such, the indoors held our attention with the tulips. There were a fair amount already in bloom and you could see many, many more were to bloom in the near future. Doug took some amazing photographs of the insides of the tulips that were so intricate and delicate with such beautiful colors.

Since the outdoor gardens are seasonal, I’m pleased to have learned that the Garden offers programs all year round. They have limited run exhibits, concerts, and plant/bulb sales, a corn maze, pumpkin festival, Christmas Trail of Lights and a lovely gift shop. In addition to all that they offer a multitude of educational classes on a variety of plant and gardening subjects. 070714dsc_2141a090131_7642090131_7658

If I have to pick a favorite place in the Botanical Gardens I would have to say it is the Tropical Conservatory. It does nothing for my hair and everything for my visual senses. This is a lush tropical indoor garden with gentle mists pumped throughout. It is beautiful year round. There are delicate orchids, a running stream, green leafed whatevers that I can just stare at as time stops for me in this place. I’m not much on the names of the plants; I just enjoy them – immensely. There are name plaques for those who like to associate a leaf with a name. But not me, I’m there for the ambience, for the rich colors, the feeling of peace and those amazing pictures that Doug brings home.

By Cyndy Harrington

www.dcmtravelreviews.com

View Photos of the Denver Botanical Gardens and other Great Places by

Doug Niedermiller at

http://dougniedermillerphotography.com/

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Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

By Cyndy Harrington

Unlike many parks, even National Parks, Rocky Mountain doesn’t have only one season to enjoy.  This is an every season park.   The mountains are some of the most spectacular you will see on the continental US.  (We are also in awe at Yosemite, Tetons , and Alaska.)  But, we are loyal Coloradans in that this is “our” park and for us, easy to get to in a few hours and for a quick get-a-way.

See below for some of the highlights, info and statistics on the park.

Look At The Rack On These Babes!!!elkrmnp

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We take the short hop up to Estes Park at least twice a year.  Every time we go it is a bit different in what we get to see.  This last trip (taken Feb 7 and 8) was like the E Ticket Ride at Disney.  (For you youngsters that an ancient method of ticketing the rides with E being the very, very best type of ride.)  We like to get up early and get to the park before the crowds come but more importantly it’s feeding time for many of the wildlife.  We go thru the Fall River Entrance gate flashing our annual pass and head up around the corner, take a right and as we head to the first corner whoa and behold!  Five of the most beautifully racked bull elk we have ever seen!  Now, not just within photo shooting distance – I mean right on the side of the road, munching away without a care.

From years of experience of park visitations we know this is a rare treat.  Not only 5 bull elk, all together, but each has a perfect 6 point rack!  Now elk in the park are kind of known to stay away from humans.  You get to close and they will scuttle away.  Most (and I’m talking 75% or better) of our elk pictures are rear-end shots.  Rarely do we get a chance to photograph face on (or if we do it’s so far away that you don’t get a good shot).  This time the planets and heavens lined up perfectly to get over 150 shots like this one.  For us, this was an EE+ ticket!  They weren’t skittish.  Several actually posed.   Cars would go by and they were not interested in the least.  They were so close we couldn’t get all 5 in one shot!

This is why I love Rocky Mountain National Park – it’s full of surprises.

dscn1895Like a time a few years ago we were driving down one of the main roads and a coyote was just walking along the side of the road.  We got out to get a picture and this little fellow just was looking for a hand-out (a big no-no to feed the animals) and appeared to be as interested in us and we were in him.  Then last year there was a small traffic jam as the “ladies” (female elk) decided to take a dreadfully slow walk in the middle of the road.  We were in first position of the cars and had a great view and they gathered and meandered at their own pace.  Then there was the time the ducks were being very friendly at Sprague Lake.

We’ll keep going back – it’s our park and there’s always a show.  If not with the animals, then the change of seasons, the multitude of cloud patterns over the mountains and often spectacular sunsets.

The town of Estes Park is right outside two of the entrances to the park.  It’s a nice little town with great shopping and many restaurants.  The Fall River goes through town and in the summer it’s a wonderful place to sit and have lunch.  The famous Stanley Hotel is right there (minus Jack and Shelley) as well as a twist and hairpin turn drive down Devil’s Gulch.  There are an abundance of resorts, cabins and hotel/motels all around town.  In the summer you should really have a reservation as it does get a bit crowded.  In the winter there doesn’t seem to be any difficulty getting a place to stay at a reasonable price.  Estes is a full service town with grocery and hardware stores, churches, library, post office, etc.  If you forget anything, you can most likely find it in town.

We’ve grown comfortable and happy with “our” place to stay – Aspen Winds.  It’s a nice place right on the river.  Not very fancy, but the rooms are clean and spacious.  The owners are exceptionally friendly and helpful with suggestions about a place to eat or an event that is happening in town.  We can’t compare to other overnight establishments in the area as this is the only place we stay.  It’s comfy.

On this trip we discovered a BBQ place that our son had told us about – Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Tap House.   It’s located not far from the entrance to the Park at 820 Moriane Avenue.  We thought it was excellent pulled pork, great fries and good cole slaw.  I’m picky about my cole slaw and we both thought this was some of the best we’d had in a very long time (except Doug’s that he makes at home!)

Fun, Fun, Fun:  Don’t be surprised if you see elk or a lot of elk in town!  They definitely are not shy about moseying to town to see what’s going on.  Last year (and I sure wish I had a picture to show you) a bunch of the “ladies” were in the little park in Estes, all huddled together, rear-ends pointing to the center and the faces out, almost forming a circle.  This was, again, a once in a lifetime site.

Just a note:  In the winter Trail Ridge Road is closed so you will not be able to drive through the entire park.  It varies when it open up depending on the amount of snow.

Now here’s the information and statistics about the Park taken from the National Park Service map you get at the entrance.

Rocky Mountain National Park:  970-586-1206.  It is located in north central Colorado.  From the east it can be reached by car on U.S. 34, U.S. 36 and Colo 7, and from the west by U.S. 40 and U.S. 34.  The nearest major rail, air and bus terminals are in Denver, 70 miles from Estes Park and at Cheyenne, 91 miles to the northeast.

Visitor’s Centers:  There are 2 at the Estes Park side of the Park.  Both have nice facilities, knowledgeable staff, plenty of displays, gift shops and they offer free shows (videos) about the park at intervals throughout the day.  There are other Visitor Centers in the park and at other entrances.

Activities (seasonal):

Hiking for all endurance levels.  Lots of self-guided nature trails.  There are over 355 miles of trails.

Camping in the camp grounds, and reservations in the summer are recommended as sites fill very early in the day.  Call DESTINET at 800-365-2267.

Backpacking/camping is allowed but you will need a permit. (Backcountry office: 970-586-1242)

Horseback Riding:  They have two locations with the Park for guides and horses.  Check some of the outside stables as they are also allowed in the Park.

Fishing:  They have 4 types of trout – German brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat.  A valid fishing license is required.  Check with the park ranger before you fish as not all areas are open for fishing.

Climbing:  Climbing is allowed in the park but there are rules you must follow.  The Colorado Mountain School is the park’s concessioner , operating a climbing school and guide service 970-586-5758.

Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing:  Several great locations in the park to work out!

The park is very safety conscious and does a good job of providing applicable warnings throughout the park.

By Cyndy Harrington

www.dcmtravelreviews.com

More photos of  Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, And other Great Places by Doug Niedermiller at http://www.dougniedermillerphotography.com/

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