Estes Park — September 5, 2009
Estes Park has long been a tourist destination. The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 and was built at at a cost of half a million dollars. The publicity from the hotel’s construction resulted in a boom for the fledgling resort industry.
My first visit to Estes Park was in 1957, on an camping trip with my grandparents and uncle. I was 5 years old and don’t really remember much of the trip. The next time I visited was in the early 90s with my wife and two daughters.
While the town doesn’t seem to have changed much since that visit, it underwent a major reconstruction after it was heavily damaged from flood waters caused by the 1982 collapse of a man-made dam in Rocky Mountain National Park.
We spent most of Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend exploring the arts and craft fair and the shops in town. Besides ice cream, we each bought a hat and Karen got a new purse as an early birthday present.
(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)
Holiday weekend crowds
We were surprised at the number of people who had dogs with them.
Another interesting sculpture
Stanley Hotel lobby
Labor Day weekend arts and crafts fair
In line for our Estes Park tradition – ice cream! (though they sell a lot of other goodies here.)
One of several bronze sculptures we saw in town
The Stanley Hotel
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Commentary and images from the road
image and information from September 5, 2009
This post is being simultaneously published on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About.
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Hey Mike… I am back down near Fort Smith so we finally have good interent again… Thanks so much for the info on Lake Fort Smith State Park… We love it there and will be going back the last week of October & the first week of Novenber… I was wondering where you stayed in Estes Park?… You may have mentioned it but I can’t remember… We will be going there next spring. The last time we were there is the year before the flood… Stayed in a campground just outside the park entrance but I don’t think it is there any longer… Loved all of your pictures today… Thanks for posting such a great article… Have Fun & Travel Safe!!!
Donna
Come see us when we are back at Lake Fort Smith
.-= Donna´s last blog ..~~~Lake Fort Smith State Park in Mountainburg, Arkansas~~~ =-.