June 18, 2014 Travel to Estes Park, Colorado

We left our little site at the Elks Lodge in Colorado Springs and headed north:

We were to take US-36 from Boulder to Estes Park.  Once we got to Lyons, there were many signs telling us of the long delays and recommending that we take SR-7 so that is what we did.

Last September, this whole area was hit very hard with flooding and the aftermath was very visible going thru this canyon.  However, most of my pictures are of the beauty of the canyon.

Out of the canyon and heading north:

We came around one corner and saw this – I first thought it was a castle but it was a church – oh my!:

SR-7 is known as the Peak to Peak Highway so what goes up much come down – here is our route down:

WOW!  What an adventure.

We are staying at Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake for the next week.  We had made reservations for this park in May because we wanted to spend some time in this area and this was the most reasonable park.  We would have liked to stay in Rocky Mountain NP, but I was too late to make the reservations.

Sue and Bruce came in shortly after us – they will be with us for the next week exploring the area- :

Andy and I had some mail coming in so after we set up, we took a little ride around town, picked up our mail, and headed home.  Yikees, clouds coming in:

The rest of the evening we spent just hanging out.  Tomorrow we are headed for Rocky Mountain National Park so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Stats for today

Miles Traveled: 146 Miles

Routes Traveled: 

Colorado: Commerce Street, Nevada Street, Fillmore Street, I-25; US-85; SR-470; US-6; SR-93; Detour – SR-7; Mary’s Lake Road

June 15-17, 2014 Garden of the Gods

Sunday, 15th, we just hung out and then the six (Ann, Norlyn, Sue, Bruce, Andy and me) of us met for dinner at the Navajo Hogan restaurant – great place, great food, great fun, and great friends (but I did not get a picture – ).

A very interesting place – this is a link to their restaurant: http://www.johnnyshogan.com/

Monday, 16th, Sue, Bruce, Andy and I went to the Garden of the Gods.

We took one of the trails that winds around many of the formations:

Pine Cone Beginnings – I don’t think I ever saw this before:

WOW!

The Boys –

The girls – Sue and I  - lunch at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post – Buffalo Burgers – Yum!:

Monday, 17th, found me doing laundry and final shopping.  Later afternoon, we said our “see you later’s “ to Ann (we will see you again, Ann and Norlynn), and then our last happy hour at the Elks.

We have had a wonderful time here in Colorado Springs and will be returning – there is so much to do and see.  But, alas, tomorrow we are heading to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park so stay tuned and enjoy today.