We got up and were on the road by 8:30 this morning. We stopped at a Perkins in Salina for a quick breakfast – big mistake. It took over an hour and the food was not very good.
The drive to Estes Park was smooth. Hit road construction a couple of times but other than that didn’t have any slow downs. Traffic was light most of the way. Had some traffic in Denver but even that was moving right along.
We got to Estes Park around 5:15. We stopped at the grocery store and picked up a few supplies. Got to our home base a little before 6:00. There was a bull moose waiting for us as we turned in the drive.
Check in is at 6:00 and there was quite a line. I finally got to check in and found out our cabin wasn’t ready for us yet. We drove around and found our cabin and then went back to the administration building to wait for them to give us our keys. We got some ice and put it on the cold stuff we had gotten.
There was a herd of elk in the front lawn. They were fun to watch. After about 45 minutes they called me and I was able to get our keys. We got everything unloaded and then had a frozen pizza we cooked in the oven for dinner.
The weather is beautiful here. It was in the low 90’s across the flatlands of KS and was in the low 80’s in Estes Park. It is cooling off nicely this evening.
Tomorrow we have a pass to go over Trail Ridge Road at noon. If we are up and about we may go early. If you are there before 9:00 am you don’t have to have a timed entry pass. The pass I have is for noon and I would prefer to go earlier as I want to get over and back before dark. The wide life are on the move this time of the year and I don’t want to be on Trail Ridge Road after dark.
Tuesday we plan to stay around the camp and do some hiking here. We may splurge and do a horse back ride. Wonder if I would be able to drive home the next day if I spend two hours on a horse?
Amazing how one can drive for eight or nine hours and be in the mountains and seeing a totally different scene. Hope I remember to get in my car and drive more. The mountain air is so fresh and the Aspen trees are gorgeous.
I’m tired tonight from the drive. I got a really good night’s sleep last night and trust I will again tonight.
Grateful for a safe journey today, grateful for this short get away, and grateful Kathy came along for the ride.