Rocky Mountain National Park

Thursday - 1 July 2004 - Estes Park, Colorado: I don't know what you did today, but we spent most of it two miles above sea level! Today we drove all the roads in Rocky Mountain National Park - and we must have enjoyed the nicest weather possible at this altitude. Where yesterday we had snow, today we only found sun!

Terry & DT in the Rockies
  

Beautiful alpine lakes and meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park


More beautiful alpine lakes and meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park


Yellow Bellied Marmot


Part of a Bull elk herd


Mama Moose and her baby

We had a full day in the park - 10 o'clock until 6 pm. We drove every road and saw so many animals. It was a fantastic day! The road through Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest highway in the US - 12,183 feet above sea level at the highest point. It is closed eight months of the year and the temperature averages -50 in winter. Winter wind speeds average 150 mph. We found a herd of mountain sheep - around 30 rams and ewes. Also on our drive, we looked up over the tundra and saw a herd of 31 female elk and young running! It was amazing! We also saw a mother moose with her baby eating on the edge of a marsh and then saw over 30 bull elk together! Just a fabulous day in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain Sheep

We arrived back to Our Intrigue and chatted with the neighbors. They knew where to go for dinner, so we followed their advice and went over to The Dunraven Inn - The Rome of the Rockies. (I can't say for sure that we were in Rome.) I had one glass of wine and became so sleepy. (Must have been the altitude, or nothing to eat since 8 a.m.) I tried their signature dish - fettuccini alfredo. A true test of any restaurant is the alfredo and I could smell the nutmeg from the bar, so I knew it was going to be good. I was not disappointed. The fun thing about The Dunraven Inn is the decorated walls and ceilings - covered with signed dollar bills. Each year the owner takes them to the bank and donates the money to charity - the bills add up to thousands of dollars each year! If you find yourself in Estes Park, do not miss The Dunraven Inn.

Dunraven Inn Bar - dollar bill wallpaper

RV Park: Spruce Lake RV Park in Estes Park