These are just a few shops and attractions that caught my eye as we passed into and out of downtown Estes Park on our way to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
I was particularly drawn to the name of the restaurant pictured in the upper left hand corner, The Hunters Chop House. They have both a Lunch Menu and a Dinner Menu. We didn't stop but definitely with so many fine dining choices throughout the city this would be included in a list of suggestions.
As we wound our way back to our night's lodging , seeing the floral displays I wondered what building we were about to pass...I truly appreciate flower plantings because they always seem to brighten up with color and soften straight lines. It came to our attention we were looking at the Estes Park Visitor Center Parking Ramp designed by Architect Michael Koch.
There wasn't enough time to see everything due to our late afternoon arrival. However, the most important part of our journey to this city was yet to be experienced and will be apart of the next blogpost, that being the Elk Rut taking place beyond the City Limits. I will share some pictures of the Elk bulls and cows that became quite the attraction to many others seeking the same thrill as Corey and myself.
On our outing for the evening we scouted for future lodging around Lake Estes...Now,we are familiar with names and locations so we know what to look for when we plan another vacation,or can offer a suggestion. It certainly helps to know how the establishment appears from the street to determine whether or not it is a possibility to seek renting a room.
This little cabin was our accomodation during our stay in 2015 with our family. It's required stay of two days was longer than the overnight we had allotted for our visit last September.
To find out more about renting cottages at Triple R Cottages <---please Triple R Cottages.
On our last stay in June 2015 I saw Mule Deer bucks across the road,a coyote running along the little creek to the back of the cabin and we were told by one of our kids another guest had informed them a bear had gone through the compound.
Please forgive my huntress side, but apart of me was on alert to the fact a bear could have been through, because of being awakened in the night ,due to sounds of bumping along our cabin and later the discovery of animal scat pictured here.
I was searching the yard for evidence of wildlife when I came across more than one sample. It was found to the left of the trees between the tree line and the cabin.
So, if you are in need of getting a close look at mother nature you'll not be disappointed with adding Estes Park,CO. as a vacation destination...
Entering Estes Park from Big Thompson Canyon we soon found our road that would take us to our hotel accommodations for the evening.
Fish Creek Road intersected with N St Vrain Ave. which runs along the southern shore of Lake Estes.
Via N St Vrain Ave. ,the street to our lodging, we were welcomed with a blinking road sign announcing the most prominent event now taking place in the community.
I know the sign doesn't spell things out completely but there is enough to give some clues if you are aware of the season.
Let's just say the two most important words I catch a glimpse of are "Elk" and "Rutting".
Arriving at our destination it was time to take a quick survey of our surroundings before heading into town to see if the Elk were moving about the town proper.
Panning to our right across the street from the Twin Owls Motor Lodge at the west end of Lake Estes we enjoyed the scenery.
The fog was still setting low on the mountains surrounding us and we hurried to make choices as to what direction would be best to go to find the next photo subject(s).
We did get on our way to checkout both the wildlife and tourist populations now inhabiting this well known city.
Because I've got so many pictures I would like to share with you I plan on splitting them into several posts.
Please do keep checking back to see if something new has been added.
Leaving Loveland, CO in late September last year we went West on route 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon. We saw so many things that I found interesting it could take me awhile to get them all categorized and ready to write about. One of the first things I would like to bring to your attention is the Sylvan Dale Guest ranch sign. Of course I saw it the last time we went by in 2015 but this time I decided it worth snapping. I just read they are offering a February Romantic Getaway Package. Being only 7 miles west of Loveland, they aren't impacted by the highway construction in the Thompson Canyon region and if you're game for a cozy cabin with some snow for Valentine's Day an Airport Shuttle could be the way to go to get some R&R. Looks like a great place to visit so I'll post their contact information to get you going -
Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch 2939 N County Rd 31D Loveland CO 80538
Wooden sculptures and large lawn ornaments by Adobe Designs kept the scenery interesting,interspersed with rock formations galore. Adobe Designs not only meets the outside garden design needs but I've found they also are a Clothing Boutique with an eye for Home Decor as well.
Have you ever heard of a store called The Dam Store? Well, I hadn't heard of it either until we passed it. You'll see a picture of it in my collage, on the top row clear to the right-side. It's had a few purposes in the history of Loveland. At the present it's a lookout location to see where it was once a hydroelectric plant for the city before a flood and growing population made it obsolete. A retail operation is now housed within the building, offering tourists momentos of their visit to the site and state, along with regional refreshments and jewlery.
Getting on the other side of the Dam Store we started seeing fog not far into the canyon up on the mountain tops with varying visibility. It was a disappointment when it became apparent that some of the peaks wouldn't be apart of the picture album this time around. Ah... Another reason to make a trip to Colorado.
With our incline passage on windy roads higher into the mountains we were finally going to make it to Estes Park for our overnight stay.
Come back soon and see the highlights of our short daylight hours in and around Estes Park. I'll end here and wish you Have a Great Day!
As we entered the Loveland,CO suburb of Johnstown my head turned to the left to follow as far as I could the huge new Scheel's Sporting Goodsstore.
Looks like a great place to visit for one and all. I've found that they've included a 65 car Ferris Wheel,a mini-bowling alley, an arcade etc...etc...etc... To find out more at the company website, please click the links at Scheel's Sporting Goods store.
Today had been full of countryside landscapes so I was ready for a change of clusters of buildings that we saw closest to our traveled path within the Loveland City Limits. Oh, LOOK! Mountains in the distance!!!
This wind driven sculpture was the first one apparent as we passed the Scheel's Sporting Goods store. The skies were gray along our way and we did see the rain fall within visible driving distance around us but we weren't in any deluges coming into the city.
I appreciate greatly the new, updated colors and directional signs.
What an impressive sculpture! I know you would enjoy it much better in person. You'll find it located on Highway 34 on the Eastside of town .
Entering our airspace from the right, this jet flew over the hotel below as I kept snapping away to keep my mind alert.
Sitting at one of the traffic lights before we entered the Downtown Area...
This gentleman kept his puppy wrapped up so it couldn't wander away into traffic. I watched and wondered how the little tyke was being cared for???
Heading out of town on our way to Thompson Canyon we passed Lake Loveland. After passing this body of water several times my curosity was piqued at the beginnings of the Lake construction. I've discovered it to have been reconstructed from a muddy marsh into a source of agricultural irrigation and over time has evolved into a municipal water source. Please click Lake Loveland above to be enlightened if your curiosity has reached a level of need to know.... Getting to this point in Loveland made our next destination become more real. Getting through Thompson Canyon and then onto Estes Park!
Hi folks! I wear more than one hat in this day to day existence...I've been given the chance to exercise my artistic skills in design and conversation by becoming a Co-Team member for the EAA 675 Facebook page staff this past September.
My husband Corey and fellow EAA 675 member Lorin Miller need a little help once in awhile to get the news delivered for the club.
I want to share one of my favorite Youtube music video productions showcasing the musical talents of saxophonist Kenny G. in the classic song of the ages Auld Lang Syne. Here's wishing each of you a Happy New Year from our Timber Life Family. May the days ahead be filled with learning and expectations.
God Bless and Have a Great Day!
A couple of days ago I was talking about signs. Here are a few more to get us going in the right direction.
After being on the road for what seemed like 8 hours.Well... actually, it was 8 hours from the time we left home until we reached the Colorado State Line on our September excursion.
The sign was a blur as we passed in a hurry but I know you get the the idea.
Sitting for so long was beginning to put me to sleep even though I had my camera in hand.
You know how it is when you see some promising information to take a break from the ribbon of highway that you've been following since before the sun came up. You begin to watch the mile markers to maybe hurry things up a little bit...One can hope, can't they?
Across the street from the Welcome to Julesburg sign we found a place to get some fuel and get our bearings as to where we could go to enjoy one of our picnic lunches that we had packed.
This Colorado Welcome Center/Rest Area was a tribute to the Pony Express Riders of the Plains. Between April 1860 and October 1861 the Pony Express was the main connection for getting communications from the East to the West.
Many individuals pass this way every year...I would like to add my digital image to document our visit to the Pony Express RV Park and Rest Area at the Exit # 180 on the I-76.
Looking up the Native American history of the Julesburg area has certainly given me a different perspective than I had originally thought.
In honor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho who were nomadic,following the buffalo herds, these tipi and buffalo facsimiles introduced us to the lifestyle.
In all honesty we didn't take time to go into the building to view the information. We needed to spend as much daylight time at our evening destination as possible.
We re-entered the traffic lanes once more to catch our last glimpses of the Julesburg,CO Welcome Center that gave us a few minutes to refuel/refresh our bodies and minds.
Our next destination, an over-night stay in Estes Park. However, you aren't going to get off so easy. I've got more pictures from here to there along our way.
How wonderful it is to come to another Advent Season! To Celebrate what was heralded long ago on the hills surrounding the Little Town of Bethlehem. It is with my simple offering of written word that I join in sharing with the Angel's Herald song to announce the anniversary of the birth of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ,our Lord.
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
(NKJV)
Corey,Sadie Sioux and I,the Timber Life Family ask God to Bless you and your families today and always...
We often find our way around this world by signs...These are some of the signs in Nebraska that made concrete by their words and designs the message they wanted to convey.
There seems to be so many destinations that we haven't had the opportunity to visit yet... Today, is a little wordless,and things aren't necessarily in the order we saw them, but I definitely see a message to start the bucket list once again. Have a Great Day!
Today, I've decided to fill with pictures of some vanishing farm history found along the I-80 corridor through Nebraska.
As you've gathered I was concentrating on a few varied objects while we traveled. I kept a vigilant eye out for windmills,which seemed to be in operation for grazing animals more than what I've seen around us in our home state, barns or buildings with a country orientation and of course deer stands of many different designs. I'm always imagining what kind of wildlife traffic is available in such a highly trafficked area. It was quite an eye opener in June 2015 when we saw several flocks of turkeys and random sightings of deer along the Nebraska river corridors while en-route to our Colorado destination.
By the end of our total mileage during our September trip this year , I had witnessed the similar architecture of the two red barns with common roof design and painted crisscross patterns, both here in Nebraska and South Dakota. I've looked back at the Pioneer history to try to unravel which group of European Settlers that might have added their old world design to the early landscapes and came up with the possibilities of many peoples including German,Swedish,and Norwegian...
I hope you too can enjoy this random sampling of what keeps my mind and eyes on the move to polish my ability to take pictures on the go.
The next post will include attention getting roadside signs.
Thanks again for being apart of our skip across the state of Nebraska...One more post and we'll make it to Colorado. 😀
Good Day All! Time for me to start filling in more information and pictures to bring us up to speed on our fall trip to celebrate a special occasion for me.
As we traveled between Omaha and Aurora,NE. there were so many things that caught my photographer's eyes. Of course I can't share all of them at once... So, I'll just get going and see what we can get accomplished today.
I caught a low-flying airborne object glinting in the sun headed over Eastbound Interstate 80 traffic several times ,east of Aurora. When it became apparent that it was a plane, it began cutting north to make it's circle to drop what we believe was seed in the practice of Aerial Seedingfor cover crops.
Taking pictures out the passenger side window I followed him as his path went away and returned at least four times until we caught up to him.
This was the last pass as we drove out of camera range.
There are eleven westbound Rest Areas scattered along the 455 mile Interstate 80 system through the State.
This particular Rest Area introduced us to the upcoming Great American Desert , which was located 50 miles to our west.Please click here to find out facts about the desert.
This Great Platte River Road Archway Monument , an oasis that has been photographed by many a traveler - the challenge will be repeated by many more as others enjoy their travels through Nebraska .
The day was bright and clear...
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post my photographer's eyes kept scanning the roadway and fields.
Look what we SAW!
Does anyone remember who this famous British cartoon character's name might be?
If I'm not mistaken,given a few years of exposure by our grandchildren and nephews , it would be Thomas the Tank Engine getting a lift to his next destination!
Ending the post on a cheery note! I'll be working on more pictures and thoughts to share.
Glad you are riding along to catch the views. Have a Great Day!
