Historic Stanley Hotel Estes Park, CO

The Stanley Hotel, known for its architecture, magnificent setting, and famous visitors, may possibly be best known today for its inspirational role in the Stephen King's novel, "The Shining." The Colorado hotel has been featured as one of America's most haunted hotels and with the numerous stories from visitors and staff, The Stanley Hotel continues to "shine" today, as it did in 1909 when first opened. 

Forced by poor health to move West, F.O. Stanley and his famous Steamer arrived in Estes Park in 1903. Finding the town lacking in amenities, F.O. set out to change the local economy. On the 160 acres he purchased from Lord Dunraven, Stanley first built the main building of the hotel, one of 11 buildings in the original complex. Many of those original buildings remain in use today on the remaining 55 acres. 

Trip Through Rocky Mountain NP to Estes Park

Scenery much different than our last trip over Trail Ridge Road. Now there is very little snow, but lots of tourists.

The distance between Grand Lake and Estes Park is about 48 miles. Our morning trip over took almost 2 1/2 hrs, because of all the traffic and road construction. Our return trip after lunch with our friend, Jackie, at the Stanley Hotel....just over an hour.

One of several construction areas....

Smile! It Is Summer!

Beautiful weather and great temps in the high 70's ...that is why we spend the summers in the Colorado mountains!

Stella spending time in "Old Daddy's" rocking chair.  This little chair is a Foster antique. Good to see the next generation using it.

Richard and Uma busy patrolling Elk Creek Campground...

Casper, Elise's new buddy, on the way to the Vet.

Jim enjoying his breakfast at the Sly Fox Restaurant, part of the Grand Lake Golf course complex. 

The breakfast burrito with green chili is what Jim was enjoying so much!

Ute Pass Road or Grand County Rd 3

Decided to check out a short cut we had heard about between Granby and Silverthorne.....Ute Pass Road takes off Highway 40 just before Parshall, CO and is a mix of blacktop and gravel.

Highway 9 near Kremmling has a major road construction project going on. Ute Pass Road is in very good shape and we will use it when leaving Grand Lake in our motor home mid Sept.

 The road to Ute Pass, which connects the Williams Fork Valley with CO 9 north of Silverthorne, passes through some nice stands of spruce-fir forest with high-elevation birds like Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Henderson Mill processes Molybdenum.

By the end of the 1930s, molybdenum was a widely accepted technical material. The conclusion of World War II in 1945 once again brought increased research investment to develop new civilian applications, and the post-war reconstruction of the world provided additional markets for molybdenum-containing structural steels. Steels and cast iron still comprise the single biggest market segment, but molybdenum has also proven to be invaluable in superalloys, nickel base alloys, lubricants, chemicals, electronics and many other applications.

Buffalo Barbeque Days Grand Lake, Colorado

The sun was out and temperatures great for the annual Buffalo Barbeque.  The day begins with a pancake breakfast followed by BQ, craft booths and music.......  

The quilt guild held its annual show. Below a few examples of both hand and machine made quilts...

Photo Potpourri

Recent Elk Creek Campground visitor....

Deer family spotted on evening walk...

Douglas fights the elements with rain suit Cameron used at USMMA.  Grand Lake and all of Colorado has had buckets of rain this past week.

Richard, EC camp-worker, also volunteers weekends in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Miss Stella shows off her new Minnie Mouse outfit.  Walking is now "old hat" to our Miss Stella in just a few short weeks. 

Our Ocala neighbor, Glenda, is in PA for the summer and helping out at the US Women's Open, LPGA Event, this weekend in Lancaster, PA.

PJ and Stephanie Silva have a new daughter, Samantha Hanora Silva, born June 17th in San Diego, CA. 

Nuncle Cameron with Samantha during Cameron's recent trip to San Diego.

Jan had a special order project to make beaded stroke counters for the Pro Shop at the Grand Lake Golf Course.

The Crape Myrtle in our backyard in Ocala is blooming.  Thanks, Don, for the photo...