Cross Country Trip 2012: Estes Park, Colorado and Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park

Today we explored RMNP. The day was sunny and high 50's but GALE FORCE WINDS! We drove up to Sprague Lake and took a one mile walk around, with spectacular views of the Rockies. Then we went over to the Bear Lake side. Linda hiked around Bear Lake while John hiked up to the 10,000 foot level to Dream Lake. Spectacular! We had some good Elk sightings too! Excellent Italian dinner at a place just down the hill. Home in time to watch the debate. :)

Much of the park is starting to close down for the winter but there still quite a few people around. We can only imagine how this place must be really busy in the summer since its only a stone's throw from Denver. Estes Park is a tourist town with lots of nice looking hotels and condos. We stayed for a second night at the Grags Lodge which has served us very well.

Tomorrow we start the three day drive back home! Nothing between here and there that we haven't seen already (except that we still have to get over the Rockies!) We were amused to think that the last half day, driving across southern Idaho on I-84, will be the most boring stretch on the entire trip!!