Rocky Mountain High

I am writing from the deck of the condo we have taken over. We are in Estes Park, Colorado for a little vacation.

There's the view we have. 

There is lots to update so sit back, shut up and read on.

We Flew out of Spokane bright and early on Friday and flew to Denver where we rented a car and met up with Phil and Margaret, Susan's relative through sisterness.

We drove from Denver to Evergreen, CO where we were to go to a concert of the Nadas, a band the Phil and Margaret's son Neal plays in.

Along the way to Evergreen, we stopped for a tour at Margaret Brown's house, better known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown. From there we ventured to see the grave of Buffalo Bill Cody.

We finally arrived in Evergreen and split up from Phil and Marg as they went to their lodging and we searched for the Elk Run B&B.

We all reconvened at the Little Bear, the divey little bar where the concert was. We had some dinner and some drinks and enjoyed a great concert where most of the people knew all the lyrics to the songs of this native Iowa band.

On Saturday, we took a tour of a local estate called the Hiwan Ranch. It was homesteaded before the turn of the last century and over the years, what started out as a barn became this beautiful, extensive log home. The tours lasted about half an hour but our tour guide gave us about an hour and a half. We asked lots of questions. From there, we took the drive to Estes Park. It was about a two hour ordeal over mountain passes and winding roads and horrible Colorado traffic.

When we got here, and discovered the housing Phil had secured for us, we were all quite pleased. It's a really nice, modern condo with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a hot tub, and a lovely kitchen and living room.

The condo is located on the grounds of Mary Lake Lodge and resort. The main building is over 100 years old and is quite striking. We had dinner there last night.

Susan and I slept in today, waking at 9 to find we were all alone. Phil and Margaret went to church in town and then we connected with them at the Stanley Hotel. The Stanley is best known for it's starring role in "The Shining", the one from the 80's with Jack Nicholson, not the piece of crap they made recently for television.

That was also very nice.

That brings us pretty much up to date. We have just returned from a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. I would imagine we went about three miles and climbed about two or three hundred feet above the 9,520 foot starting point. 

I was a little concerned because of the altitude. I'm definitely feeling it as I walk around. It sure would be nice to be in shape.