Jerry and Brenda had been before, but wanted to go back. We had never been and wanted to go. Both Jerry and Vickie, now 62+ wanted to get their Golden Age National Park passes before someone in "The Government" decided they weren't of senior age or made too much money for a lifetime pass. It was relatively close proximity, so off we went. This trip we have a Ford Edge AWD which suits our traveling style nicely. Plenty of room for the four of us and enough power for the mountains. We headed west on I-70 to the Rt. 131 exit. From there we made the run up the west side of the mountains following the Colorado River valley. Much of the road was dirt/gravel, and we got to see the Colorado River, often at wading depth, peppered with fly fishermen. After crossing the Continental Divide, we arrived at the park entrance. Both "Golden Agers" were able to procure their lifetime passes quite painlessly for a mere $10.00 each and we proceeded to enter the park.
We continued up the west side of the park, following Trail Ridge Road which winds it's way across the Rocky Mountains to Estes Park. Along the way the highest road in The Rockies crosses amazing vistas, and peaks at 12,183 feet. We stopped at the Alpine Visitors Center (11,796 ft. soon to be closing for the winter) shopped, had lunch, and shopped again. This is a place that gets 150 mph winds in the winter accompanied by -50 degree temperatures. We saw pictures of the building in winter with nothing showing but the roof poles above the snow. Amazingly, since we had a few days at 8,300 ft. staying at the Marriott, we were able to slowly function at the high altitude.
Jerry and I scoped out the dining room. There were tables along the windows looking down at the Fall River Cirque---the birthplace of glaciers. To get a table at the windows, we hovered like vultures waiting for folks to vacate. Jerry, using his calm demeanor, eventually scored a high bistro style table with a great view. There were a heard of elk lounging at the bottom of the cirque, but were visible only through binoculars which Vickie just happened to have tucked in her bag. The menu, provided by the National Park's ubiquitous provider, Xantera, was very nice. They had cold sandwiches, vegetarian sandwiches, and an interesting hot menu. You could get Nathans hot dogs, elk bratwurst, buffalo chili, chicken barbecue, pork barbecue, and chicken noodle soup. Everyone had something good, and at the altitude, it really tasted wonderful.
After the shopping was completed, (I got out of breath several times bending over to look at low shelves) we headed on up the road. They were paving the parking lot, and Jerry misjudged a drop off, and fell twisting his ankle. (and bruising his knee along with his pride) but being the trooper he was he continued, undaunted. From the Alpine center the road climbs to the 12,183 foot mark well above the tree line. The air was crystal clear, and fall was on the Rocky Mountains. We took hundreds of pictures---the vistas were so incredible. We then wound down the other side of the mountains to West Horseshoe Park. Jerry and I had been looking at the park map, and it showed a dirt road called "The Old Fall River Road". This road was one way only, and wound back up the valley floor of the peaks we had just come down. We knew it would take another lap up to the Alpine Center, but decided to try it anyhow. (what the heck, the car was a rental) What fun it turned out to be. It was like hiking, except we could take the car. We climbed from 8,200 ft. back to the 11,796 ft. of the Alpine Center in 9 miles of dirt, goat-path, and switchbacks. So beautiful with a totally different perspective on everything.
After coming back down the mountains again, we headed south on Rt. 7 all the way down to Blackhawk and Central City. Unbeknownst to us, but knownst to others, both of these little old cities must be on an Indian reservation, because they are slap full of casinos. The girls really wanted to stop, but the (injured) driver and I did not. We prevailed, and headed west back to Vail, once again through the Eisenhower tunnel. We are speculating...Is it bad luck to go through a tunnel 3 times--twice in one direction?? For anyone who has never done it driving into the setting sun in the Rockies on I-70 is at best a harrowing experience. Slow trucks on upgrades, hidden by the glare of the sun, are a terrible hazard. As was the woman who annoyed us for several miles, texting as she drove into the blinding glare. Hopefully her behavior will eliminate her from the gene pool at some future date.
We arrived back to Vail and decided to round up our own dinner. The convenient Safeway yielded nice T-bones, on sale, and we picked up some baking potatoes, bread and salad. We gave the injured driver a pass, and Miss Vickie took over the grilling duties. A lovely dinner was set and, well satiated; we all drifted to horizontal rest areas.
The next day we went to Glenwood Springs and The Spa of the Rockies. To get there we had to drive through Glenwood Canyon. This section of the road is considered the most scenic piece of Interstate in the whole system. I agree it is very pretty and was an engineering feat to build. I have however driven other sections of the Interstate that are very beautiful. The Glenwood Canyon roads (and railroads) have been there since the early 1900’s. It was not until 1960 that they proposed building I-70 through the canyon. It wasn’t fully open till 1982. All in all, the drive from Denver west on I-70 is probably the most amazing trip when you combine everything.
The Spa of the Rockies is an old old resort that was established in 1888. They built the resort over a hot sulphur spring that produces 3.5 million gallons of water per day. The largest therapeutic pool in the world is on that site today. We went there and spent the day lounging in the hot spring. There is one pool that is 104 degrees and one is about 90. There are bath houses, an athletic club, and a grill. Folks come from all over for the purported healing powers of the waters. The Ute Indians first discovered the spring and it’s therapeutic benefits. All we know is Jerry’s twisted ankle was much improved after our visit, and we all felt revitalized.
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