Day 4 - October 2
We went into Estes Park first thing after we checked out of Discovery Lodge. We tried to get in to Egg & I, but it was too crowded. So we headed to Starbucks instead, followed by some shopping in the town stores.
Since Beavers Meadow Visitor Center had been closed the night before, we headed there next. As we pulled into the parking lot, we saw another large herd of elk. They were resting in the picnic area, minding their own business. The bull was keeping an eye on all of his "girls."
We went inside and checked out the Visitor Center's exhibits and bookstore. Outside the front door was a memorial to a Rocky Mountain National Park Ranger who had lost his life while on duty.
Leaving Estes Park behind, we headed south to Lily Lake. We had been told this was a really picturesque area, including the drive to the lake. As we drove, we came to another small lake that was really beautiful. It was called Mary's Lake. We stopped and took a closer look.
We drove back through Estes Park and saw the Stanley Hotel. We had visited there 4 years ago.
With the hope of seeing big horn sheep, we drove on Highway 34 to Loveland, CO. Several people had told us they had seen a herd of them on that road. We were going to Loveland anyway for the night so decided to take a chance. Unfortunately, we did not see any. However, Dean did find the Dam Store along the way. We stopped long enough to see what the Dam Store actually was and for him to have his picture taken. Now, he had seen the Dam Bridge and the Dam Store.
We checked into our Holiday Inn Express before going to eat at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. We had the place to ourselves, but were eating pretty early. After dinner, we went to the movie theater and saw "The Martian." What a great movie!
After the movie, we went back to the hotel for the night. The day had been relaxed and very enjoyable!
Since Beavers Meadow Visitor Center had been closed the night before, we headed there next. As we pulled into the parking lot, we saw another large herd of elk. They were resting in the picnic area, minding their own business. The bull was keeping an eye on all of his "girls."
We heard that a herd of elk had blocked the main intersection of town the night before as they made their way through town. The local television station had captured the footage on video.
After enjoying the serenity of this lake, we continued driving further to Lily Lake. This was a much bigger lake and had a hiking trail around it. Lake Lily was quite beautiful as well. It was a little windier at this lake.
The colors and rock formations were beautiful and quite interesting. We loved the scenic drive as well as the lakes.
With the hope of seeing big horn sheep, we drove on Highway 34 to Loveland, CO. Several people had told us they had seen a herd of them on that road. We were going to Loveland anyway for the night so decided to take a chance. Unfortunately, we did not see any. However, Dean did find the Dam Store along the way. We stopped long enough to see what the Dam Store actually was and for him to have his picture taken. Now, he had seen the Dam Bridge and the Dam Store.
We checked into our Holiday Inn Express before going to eat at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. We had the place to ourselves, but were eating pretty early. After dinner, we went to the movie theater and saw "The Martian." What a great movie!
After the movie, we went back to the hotel for the night. The day had been relaxed and very enjoyable!
