Last Saturday we decided to take a day trip up into Rocky Mountain National Park. We started off in the town of Estes Park which is a cute little town famous for the Stanley Hotel, Stephen King got the idea for the Shining when he stayed in room 217(it is supposedly haunted). I think I will pass on staying there!!
We made our way into the park and were greeted by amazing scenery right away. It is simply a place to just look around and take it all in. We started at elevation 8150 and ended up at the pass at 12,300 ft above sea level, quite a drive.
On our way up to the pass we stopped at an overlook that was truly breathtaking but more important to Cameron and Ashley were the chipmunks that were running around. One even thought Ashley had food and came right up, Ashley was more than excited.
We made our way down off the highest point and passed by the Continental Divide.
As we were getting ready to leave the park we came across a beautiful open meadow were the Colorado River was running through (rushing over it's banks). As we were driving we noticed a large crowd and we stopped. As we got out we found ourselves looking at two amazing Moose!!! I am not sure who was more excited me or the kids:) In 35 years I have never seen anything like that in the wild, truly a magical experience to sit and watch them wade through the river.
We also were lucky to see some elk as well as a deer crossing the highway on the way home.
We are hoping to Camp in the park next year, such a beautiful place.
We actually stayed at the Stanley hotel! Beautiful but definitely kept one eye open at night! ;)
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