August 23 – 30
After our late start leaving Clayton, Idaho we stop for the night near Montpelier, Idaho. The following day we complete the journey to Loveland, Colorado where we rejoin Jon and Barb at Riverview RV Park. The campground is on the banks of the Big Thompson River. The campsites are mainly gravel with several trees for shade. Many of the sites overlook the river.
The next day Jon drives us through Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park. We stop first at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and then venture onto the Old Fall River Road past Chasm Falls where we stop for a view of the falls and later for the view from an overlook.
We continue climbing the switchbacks to the Alpine Visitor Center (elevation 11,796 feet) where the views are expansive and the cool air invigorating.
Naturally we have to explore the Visitor Center and gift shops before heading back down to Estes Park for lunch and more shopping. Bill finds a rather intimidating statue of a ram while wandering Estes Park.
In the evening we gather around Jon’s campfire for conversation and ice cream – the perfect ending to a great day!
On Saturday Bill and I drive into Ft. Collins for the Colorado State University football game against Oregon State. CSU is Bill’s alma mater and he is excited to attend the first game in the brand new on-campus stadium. The event is well organized with ample parking and shuttles from parking areas to the stadium. We wander around the stadium area for a while before going in and taking our seats.
The teams take the field in this great looking stadium and the game starts with the display of a huge flag and a surprise flyover.
It’s a long game in very hot weather but the Rams emerge victorious. Bill is a very happy camper.
That evening we bid goodbye to Jon and Barb who are headed to Colorado Springs the next morning.
Bill and I spend some time Monday in Ft. Collins. Bill wants to show me the CSU campus and see how much it has changed since he graduated.
We also want to explore the town. As we wander around Old Ft. Collins, I spot a chocolate shop which, being a chocoholic, I have to investigate. The shop is unique in that it is a true bean to bar chocolate house offering everything from single-source chocolate bars to truffles. Not sure which chocolate you like? No problem as they offer taster flights – five different chocolate stars with crackers and water to cleanse your palate between tastings. Each flight is accompanied by a description of the chocolates and scoring card. Did we walk out of there with a bag full of chocolate bars? Absolutely! Now that we’ve had our dessert where are we going for lunch? Avogadro’s Number one of Bill’s old haunts. After lunch it’s back to the camper to relax.
We’re up early on Tuesday headed to the Bear Lake parking area in Rocky Mountain National Park. Our goal is to hike to Emerald Lake and we’ve heard that this popular trail gets crowded. The parking lot is half full when we arrive so hopefully we’re ahead of the crowds. The trail passes some waterfalls and by Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before climbing up to Emerald Lake. When we arrive we encounter several others scattered around the lake. After shooting a few photos we find a semi comfortable rock and share a snack while enjoying the view and shooing away begging chipmunks.
The trail is definitely more crowded on the hike down. Before leaving we take the path to Bear Lake but decide not to do the hike around the lake as it’s starting to rain.
For our last night in Colorado, Bill makes a reservation at Sonny Lubick Steakhouse. Sonny Lubick is a beloved former coach of the CSU Rams and the basement restaurant at one time housed Nico’s Catacombs – another of Bill’s favorites. The meal is delicious, the service impeccable, and the ambience (although quite different than the Catacombs) enjoyable. All in all, a great way to (reluctantly) conclude our Colorado visit.
