Well, if you recall the last leg was our "corny" leg, we cruised through Minneapolis, Idaho, and Nebraska on a sea of corn. The minute we hit the Colorado border the corn stopped, just like that, so we beached our corn boat and got into our prairie schooner and headed for the Rockies, following the venerable Platte River. Next stop is just outside Loveland. Loveland is just north of Denver and in my mind was a small town - wrong. Loveland is surprisingly big with plenty of traffic and lots of stop lights, most of them red! Our camp was on Highway 34 just past town and on the way to Estes Park. We stayed at the Riverside Resort on the big Thompson River. Why they call most of these campgrounds "resorts", I have no idea, the term is very loosely applied. Our spot backed right up to the river, very pretty and you could hear the river babbling from the site (how come when rivers babble it is a good thing, but when my wife accuses me of babbling it is not a good thing?). We spent a couple of days here, did laundry, shopping and that etc. stuff.
We had neighbors with an Air Stream trailer, you know those rounded silver jobbies, and this one looked brand new but turned out to be a meticulously refurbished 1978. The owners were from the San Diego area and on their way to an Air Stream rendezvous. 
Next we started the short, albeit very slow, trek to Estes Park. The trip was only 31 miles but took 2 hours! Then a 10 minute wait to get into the park. All the National Parks are crowded in the summer, one just has to get used to that. We stayed at Moraine Park where the camping is dry (no hook ups) and only paid $10 per day (with our "old fart" pass). We had site # C227, by far the best spot in the park. We overlooked a vast meadow, were surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, had plenty of space and privacy, and were a stones throw from the amphitheater to hear nightly ranger talks. Pretty neat set up.
Next we started the short, albeit very slow, trek to Estes Park. The trip was only 31 miles but took 2 hours! Then a 10 minute wait to get into the park. All the National Parks are crowded in the summer, one just has to get used to that. We stayed at Moraine Park where the camping is dry (no hook ups) and only paid $10 per day (with our "old fart" pass). We had site # C227, by far the best spot in the park. We overlooked a vast meadow, were surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, had plenty of space and privacy, and were a stones throw from the amphitheater to hear nightly ranger talks. Pretty neat set up.
Camp site overlooking the meadow and mountain range.
Part of our view from camp.
Another part of our view, this is Longs Peak in the afternoon. We had some sort of dramatic cloud formation every day, very little actual rain.
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More dramatic clouds, almost look like a fire, very spectacular. Usually these clouds would be on their way by evening and then we would get the wonderful, brilliant star show.
Part of our view from camp.Another part of our view, this is Longs Peak in the afternoon. We had some sort of dramatic cloud formation every day, very little actual rain..
More dramatic clouds, almost look like a fire, very spectacular. Usually these clouds would be on their way by evening and then we would get the wonderful, brilliant star show.We did not see a great deal of wildlife, probably because over all it was on the warmish side. We did get to see some critters though such as:
I see you! This guy was right in camp, bet if I wait he will come out further.
I see you! This guy was right in camp, bet if I wait he will come out further.
Lots of chipmunks, drove Roxy crazy.
Several magpies amused us also.Our next adventure took us further up the mountain, taking the "Old Fall River road" which would take us up to over 12,000 feet elevation. This road is the original road, built in the '30s, to go up to the Alpine center. It is a narrow, twisty, switch-back, dirt road, fortunately one-way. On several of the turns we had to back up and jog to get our long truck around the corners but well worth it and not as bad as it sounds. In fact the down side is that it was pretty crowded making stopping for pics difficult. Hard to imagine those old cars struggling up this road at this high altitude.
Country side along the way.
Looking up at the Alpine Center (that little bitty bump is the center building). I think there is snow there year round. Clearly we are above timberline. Right near this spot we espied a herd of elk of in the distance. 
Looking up at the Alpine Center (that little bitty bump is the center building). I think there is snow there year round. Clearly we are above timberline. Right near this spot we espied a herd of elk of in the distance. 
We came back via "Trail Ridge Road", somewhat more modern but still somewhat spooky in spots. Shelle kept pleading for guard rails! Here is a panorama near the top.
And before the next adventure, while I fix the hole in the passenger side of the truck that Shelle wore through trying to use the passenger side brake, some miscellaneous wild flowers, of which there were plenty everywhere, a significant part of the beauty to me.
And before the next adventure, while I fix the hole in the passenger side of the truck that Shelle wore through trying to use the passenger side brake, some miscellaneous wild flowers, of which there were plenty everywhere, a significant part of the beauty to me.
I'm not very good at naming them, that's up to the experts, but I always feel good when I get one, this beauty is a nice wild rose specimen.
And don't forget the magnificent trees. I am especially fond of the Aspens.
Mister Ponderosa.
And some more afternoon cloud shows, what great picture shows we had.Finally one of our pleasant camp fires.
The adventure and more of Estes Park will continue in the next post.
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