The Mountains Are Calling

June 21-24, 2016
Estes Park, CO


We extend our time in Longmont to take care of some town appointments. The weather is hot and humid and I don't feel much like doing anything outside.

The outdoor thermometer is in the direct sun, but the air temp of over 100 degrees is not pleasant

Tuesday I get a quick haircut - long overdue since November. Our eye exam appointments take a while as we "shop" for frames and make arrangements for test results to be emailed to us, and shipping for the new glasses. We take our time - the people at Pearle Vision are fun, and it's air conditioned :-)

Just leave the AC on, and I'll stay in here

Wednesday I get a manicure and pedicure, something I never make the time for. As always, I promise myself I'll do it more often. We'll see.

Groceries and back home. Longmont is a very nice town. Clean, nice people, has everything we need. But I'm so done with the oppressive temps I'm definitely ready to pack up and get to the mountains.

I'll come out when it cools off

The clouds that bring the humidity also bring nice sunsets

On our way out of town Thursday morning we stop to get the motorhome washed. It's a first-come-first-serve wash so we don't have an appointment. I'm assured it will be ready to go if we want to go have breakfast. No problem.

Easy access along our route

Unfortunately the rig hasn't moved when we get back. Another short trip up the road through construction traffic for DEF, and this time when we return they are washing it in the large bay.

And that's all they do. Not only is drying not included in the price, but even if I want to pay more, they have no towels today. I'm not happy, but at least it is finally clean.

Winding our way up Hwy 34, we enjoy the beauty of the full river running alongside the road. The temps are lower, the sky is clearer - I can feel my cranky-pants mellowing out.

When we arrive at Spruce Lake RV Park in Estes Park, CO, I'm told my reservation has been cancelled. Some days you just get it all. The manager's name is Murphey - of course :-)

I keep my sense of humor and she figures out another spot for our four nights. It turns out to have one of the best views in the park. Whew! I'm so relieved to get set up and relax.

View from our front window

View from our back yard

Big Thompson runs along the campground - very fast, very loud

Bill fishes in the river for a while and I chill in the zero gravity chair, enjoying the view.

Around 9:30 the sky lights up, followed by thunder and a good thirty minute rain storm. Unlike on the plains below, it is almost cold. Wonderful.

Friday morning Bill is out early, fishing up the road at Mary's Lake. Tessa and I walk around the park and along the river. Almost every site is filled, over half with families on vacation. 

Out the coffee shop window - there are no bad views here

After breakfast in town we head to the national park. Four entry gates are open, all have lines of 8-10 vehicles. I see a small sign that directs me to a lane with one other vehicle - and an automatic gate for annual passes. Score! We're through in less than a minute. As soon as our America the Beautiful pass expired last month, we purchased another one. They are well worth the fee!

Not far up the road there are lighted signs telling all those entering that the parking lots are full. They recommend we return after 4 PM. No one is turning around, including us.

We take a different road from our day here with the kids, and check out a campground in a pretty valley. Dry camp only, water and dump station at the entrance/exit.

One pull out gives us a few minutes to enjoy the views in all directions. Not long after that the Jeep starts cutting out again, stalls when we turn around, and makes a weird new noise. That's enough for me to head home.

The parking lot that isn't full is the Visitors Center just outside the park entrance. We stop to look for one thing. A porcupine finger-puppet for Ezra. 

We have been sending him critter puppets since we hit the road. In Malpais National Monument I saw a porcupine, but didn't buy it because they were closing. I've been looking for another one ever since. 

They have them :-) And now Ezra will have one too.

With the Jeep issues, we hang out at home for the rest of our day. Tomorrow the park's lake is open for fishing so I don't imagine we'll move too far from our front door.

It is wonderful to be in the cooler mountains!