Race Day!

Saturday was race day for me and the reason we took the trip.  Dave got up with me and took me to the race and then went back to get the boys.  While I finished the race, they ate breakfast and got to the finish line in time to meet me.  It was a great race and totally worth the trip to Colorado.  

And we had a great day in Estes Park that Saturday.  Estes Park is like the Gatlinburg of the Rockies.  It is full of cute shops and restaurants.  One of my favorites was the glass shop where we were able to watch glass being blown.  It is such an interesting art! 

We were going to get burgers for lunch, but the line was too long, so we ended up going to Lonigans and having a very tasty lunch that hit the spot after running...Rocky Mountain trout and fries.  The boys decided to order Rocky Mountain oysters!  I tried one too, and they weren't too bad if you didn't think about what you were eating!

We went in almost all of the shops, bought too many souvenirs, and then toured The Stanley Hotel.  This hotel was the inspiration for Steven King's "The Shining" and was where they filmed the second version of "The Shining"...the one in which Stephen King had a part.  There was a couple taking wedding photos there.  Although it was a grand hotel that would be a good backdrop for a wedding, I think it would be strange to tell people what the hotel is known for as you are talking about your wedding!

This is a piano that John Philip Sousa played.  When he played a piano, he would scratch his name on the underside.  A zealous piano tuner cleaned it up and smoothed out the scratched name.  Oops!

A Stanley Steamer

Old fashioned room keys

  

Dave showing off elk rubbings

Camden looking at the bunny

When we finished touring Estes Park, we took a brief rest and then drove to Loveland for dinner.  I think Saturday was a day for eating!

The road on the way to Loveland.  Very cool, but the sign said watch for big horn sheep and we did not see any...I was disappointed!

Downtown Loveland had their streets blocked off in order to accommodate outdoor eating.  We still had to wait a long time to get a table...lots of people tired of eating at home!! 

That ended our Saturday in Colorado.  I slept well that night!  One more day to soak in the Rocky Mountains!