• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Apocalypse

    October 22, 2020
    East Troublesome Fire seen from Running Deer Natural Area

    This is my second post today because I wanted to share the sad affairs we are experiencing due to the fires in Colorado. I took this image today about 1:00 pm. The East Troublesome fire that began a week ago, erupted on Wednesday afternoon due to high winds, plenty of beetle killed pine and very dry conditions. It jumped from 19,000 acres to over 125,000 acres by Thursday morning, a rate of about 6,000 acres an hour. The town of Grand Lake was evacuated yesterday evening. As of 1:00 pm this afternoon the fire had jumped the Continental Divide and was burning in the upper reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park. They have confirmed active flames in Forest Canyon just west of Moraine Park. It has now clearly jumped the Continental Divide and is burning on both east and west sides of the Divide. Estes Park has been put on mandatory evacuations. People are evacuating so Highway 36, 34 and 7 are a mess. I saw a video a while ago of elk heading east, they’re evacuating also. The sky looks apocalyptic.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  sunsets

    Day Trip to Estes Park

    October 1, 2018

    Colorado Front Range Sunset
    Colorado Front Range Sunset

     The fall season can be a tough time for my friend Kay due to the the loss of family members during this time of the year. She and her husband, Wayne, started a tradition of going up to Estes Park  and staying for a couple days as a retreat.  One thing they would do is eat at a favorite restaurant called Sweet Basilico. Wayne died five years ago so each year at this time of the year she asks someone to venture up there for the day, visit the park and eat with her at Sweet Basilico.  So, I was the lucky one to be asked to make the road trip to Estes Park this past Saturday.  Lots of traffic as people wanted to see the aspens in full color and watch the elk gather in Horseshoe Meadow. But, there was lots of laughter, good food and wonderful scenes for us to share. This is the sunset we had when we got back into town. Have a super week!

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street

    Cool Mailbox

    April 7, 2016

    Mailbox at a fly fishing shop
    Mailbox at a fly fishing shop

    Monday was an Estes Park day. I drove up the canyon and spent some time wandering the streets, in and out of shops. Found a coffeehouse and enjoyed a mocha along the Big Thompson Riverwalk. I enjoyed a lunch at a small Mexican restaurant. It was a be-good-to-me day.

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  • architecture,  clouds,  Documentary/Street,  landscape,  mountains,  National Parks,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Estes Park and RMNP

    August 18, 2014

    This is a small park area along the river.
    This is a small park area along the river.

    I decided to make a drive up to Estes Park yesterday. My intent was to grab a coffee and sit along the river to read and write. The thought crossed my mind to maybe have lunch before coming back. I ended up driving up to Trail Ridge Road. What a glorious day to make that drive. Last Fall Estes Park had a flood come through the town and wiped out most of it. Here are a few images. The city is built along the banks for the Big Thompson River and has been a tourist attraction for years. I am amazed at how well it looked. Lunch was probably the best turkey/bacon wrap with a pesto sauce to die for.

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops

    Kind Coffee, LLC

    May 19, 2010

    Window View

    Last week prior to my daughters wedding, I drove up to Estes Park about 4 hours earlier to revisit this small town. The wedding rehearsal would be at 4:00 PM so I grabbed a sandwich and wandered into a coffee a coffee shop called Kind Coffee. I stopped in because they had free WiFi with the purchase of a beverage, yes I know it’s selfish. I was greeted warmly by both baristas which always makes you feel welcomed. When I asked how long they had been around they informed me they have been around for several years, at one time located nearby in Ed’s Cantina. They have two locations in town, one on the east side and one on the west side. they buy their own organic beans form Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, Columbia, Sumatra, and Mexico with a roasting facility in Estes Park.

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