About 45-50 min. down the hill from Estes Park is the wonderful town of Fort Collins, CO. Take Hwy. 34 East (a gorgeous drive alongside the river), make a left in Loveland onto Hwy. 287 and go north a bit. Make your way straight into the Old Town Square, rated one of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Continue reading ‘Fun Fort Collins Just Down the Hill from Estes Park’
Orlando’s Steakhouse opened its doors in 1972 upstairs from the world famous Wheel Bar, which has been serving patrons since 1945. Locals and visitors enjoyed the delectable food and friendly service for years. In 1981 Chef Tandy Brown signed on and remained for the next 12 years, alongside Cathy Crowley, the former owner of Lonigan’s, who ran the wait staff superbly for 16 years.
But recently the doors have been shut up tight as the major players felt they needed a break. It’s not easy keeping the quality and reliability at peak standards year after year, decade after decade, so the break was healthy for all involved. During the hiatus Chef Brown took on the position of head chef at Dunraven’s and Crowley moved on to Nicky’s.
Continue reading ‘Estes Park Favorite Steakhouse Orlando’s Re-Opens!’
Estes Park shares the downtown area with an abundant wildlife population. It is very common to see various animals roaming around the village streets alongside out-of-town visitors. The most common wildlife you’ll see downtown is elk. But you also might see beavers, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, mule deer, fox, raccoons, big horn sheep, an occasional lost moose or two. At the Silver Moon Inn elk enjoy grazing next to the river as much as the guests enjoy relaxing there. This shot of a beaver working on an aspen tree was taken on the Silver Moon grounds. Continue reading ‘Critters In Town and Around Estes Valley’
June, July and August 2010
Estes Park Fun and Events, Make Your Reservations NOW!
June
5 Fishing Derby
12 EP Marathon, Kids Fun Run and Festival
12 Rocky Mountain Brewfest
17 – 20 2010 Quilt Colorado
25 – 27 The Best of Estes Wild West Fest
26 – 27 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Continue reading ‘Summer’s here in Estes Park, Colorado! – Tons of Fun, Nature, Shopping and Dining’
May is the month for American Craft Beer Week, (15 – 23) providing a perfect reason to visit one of Colorado’s finest breweries that is just a short day trip down the hill from Estes Park; the Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons. In April, 2010 GQ Magazine’s article titled “50 Beers to Try Before You Die”, Oskar Blues Brewery was honored with two of their varieties on the list! A classic American style brew, “Dale’s Pale Ale” and “Old Chub”, a malty, Scottish-style ale. Continue reading ‘Award Winning Brewery in Lyons, Colorado’
Here in the Rocky Mountains visitors have a lot of options for getting out and about. Hiking and biking are very popular, and guided tours are an excellent way to really experience the high country safely and easily. But carrying heavy backpacks can sometimes be a bit cumbersome, especially at high altitude, not to mention the little ones in the family who start out with so much energy, but peter out at mile five, needing to be carried all the way back to the camp or car. Continue reading ‘Take a Llama to Lunch in Rocky Mountain National Park’
Sometimes visitors who normally live at lower altitudes experience altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). The symptoms of high altitude sickness sometime resemble the flu or a hangover and often manifest themselves six to ten hours after ascent and generally subside in one to two days.
The higher you climb above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. This can cause a problem with some folks whose bodies aren’t used to working on so little oxygen. If you stay at a high altitude for a week or more, your body gets used to the lower levels and functions properly.
Continue reading ‘How to Avoid and Treat Altitude Sickness Early’
If you are a first time visitor to Estes Park and the surrounding Rocky Mountain areas it might be wise to think about hiring a guide. Not only does the guide know the “in” places to go, taking you there quickly and directly, but he/she can provide an original, one-of-a-kind experience tailored to your own unique wishes.
Everybody’s gearing up, reservations are being made, and plans are in the final stages. This year the annual Rooftop Rodeo and the world famous Scottish-Irish Highland Festival are going to be bigger than ever with more exciting events and activities scheduled. There will truly be something for everyone.
Also, if you can’t make it to those events there are some fun and unique weekends planned for horse lovers, car aficionados, music and art connoisseurs and lots more.
If you do plan to attend either of these events, it is recommended that you make your reservations now as they tend to sell out early.
June
5 – Fishing Derby
12 – EP Marathon, Kids Fun Run and Festival
12 – Rocky Mountain Brewfest
17-20 – 2010 Quilt Colorado
25-27 – The Best of Estes Wild West Fest
26-27 – Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Continue reading ‘Estes Park Summer Events – Make Your Reservations Now!’
