Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The twins next door  😇😇

Square ice cream at the Sundae Saloon

East Portal

One of many afternoon thunder showers

Dinner at Smokin' Dave's BBQ

The Chapel on the Rock officially, Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel is a functioning Catholic chapel and tourist landmark in Allenspark, Colorado. In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti came across a large rock formation just east of Rocky Mountain National Park and inspired by the Biblical phrase "upon this rock I will build my church", he envisioned a church built on the rock. His lack of funds delayed construction for nearly 20 years. Eventually, land for the church was donated and the chapel was completed in 1936.  In 1999 Boulder County designated the chapel as a historic site.

Bunce School
Originally constructed in 1888, the building is one of two log rural schoolhouses remaining in the county.

The T-33A plane crash occurred June 27, 1965.  The pilot USAF Major Jay Currie, 38 had veered from their intended flight path trying to get a close look at property he recently bought.  In the back seat was USAF 1st Lieutenant Donald Darby, 25.  They were speaking with Buckley Field in Denver when contact was lost.  It is believed that thunderstorms in the area contributed to the crash.  

Middle St Vrain trail departing from Camp Dick

While eating breakfast I noticed the muddy prints all over the neighbors truck.  My first thought was, what did those kids do?  Then I realized they were bear prints.  He tried all the doors, stood on the front rim and climbed up on the hood, walked across the roof and slid down the bed to get off.  Another neighbor said he saw him around 12:30 am.  When he shinned his flashlight on him he went behind our motorhome and came into our site near the Jeep.  We however did not have any muddy paw prints.  Good thing because I am sure the soft top would not have kept him out.

Pierson Park Road

2013 Twin Sister Landslide has 1/4 mile of the road closed.  To access the southern section we will have to go back out to the highway.

Lunch time

Just as we turn onto Johnny Park Road guess who we notice hiding in the bushes?

Please use other door as not to disturb the deer

Antonio's Pizza
Colorado has so many good pizza places.

Square ice cream just tastes better

Added another National Park to our list of parks visited.

The original unpaved park road

Chasm Falls

Lots of moose poop in this area

Lunch time at the cabin

This guy was really sacked out. I was glad when he finally moved because I thought he was dead.

Dave worked really hard to get pictures of the Elk without all the people but I had to show you all these idiots.

Selfie time

Guess this is why they call it Marmot Point

On top of Marmot Point

Hiked to the top of Marmot Point 12,000 feet

Elk

Views from Farview Curve

The Holzwarth's made their homestead in the Kawuneeche Valley in 1917.  The homestead was comprised of a number of rustic cabins on the Colorado River. Guest ranch use began in 1919 and continued until the ranch was purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 1974. Operations first known as the Holzwarth Trout Ranch and later as the Never Summer Ranch.

The Mama cabin

Twin cabin

Tent House

The Grand Lake Lodge hotel was opened in 1920 to serve tourists visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.  Located in Grand Lake, Colorado, the rustic lodge was founded by Frank Huntington and Roe Emery on land owned by the National Park Service at the edge of the park. The resort was affiliated with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.

Grand Lake

Close the highest point of the park.  They had to remove the roadside sign to alleviate traffic backups with all the picture takers.

Elk

Lava Cliffs

Elk

Elk

Marmot

Hurry up and take the picture.  It's freezing out here.

Bear Lake

A young girl with her Polaroid camera offered to take our picture.  How could we say no to that?

Then we asked her if we could have our picture taken with her.
Meet Charlotte the photographer.

Colorado River Trailhead

Columbine

Shipler Cabins

This is as close to the Colorado River headwaters as you can get without blazing your own trail.

Lunch time

Poudre Lake

Big Horn Sheep
Looking pretty shabby this time of year.

Elk

Yeah, only 1,000 feet to go.
Road construction traffic jam in the park.