Estes Park Colorado area

Wednesday, September 7

This morning we stopped by for a few minutes with Ron and Barbara to return their car and to thank them.  It was really great seeing them and we hope to get to spend more time with them on a return trip.

 

We arrived at Marys Lake Campground in Estes Park around 3:30.  After checking in, we went over to the YMCA to find Kent Meyer.  Instead he found us.  His office overlooks the campus and he saw us driving around and "We don't get many RV's up here, so I knew it must be you".  We spent a few minutes getting reacquainted and plan to get together some more while here.

Kent and I go back a long ways, through the Air Force Reserve, a lot of backpacking trips in the Rockies, and through Slade's participation in YMCA summer camps when Kent was running them, both in Western NC and at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Co (which is a part of the YMCA of the Rockies of which Kent is now the Chief Executive).





I then took a nice swim in the Y pool.  I wasn't to sure I was going to be able to make a mile after a couple of laps - I forgot we're at 8,000 feet - the air is a little thinner.  But I made it.

When leaving the pool, we saw a herd of elk just walking around the Y grounds.  Apparently they are regulars here.

Thursday, September 8

We had lunch with Kent at the Y and then he took us on a tour of the facilities.  This place is really set up well for families and family reunions.  They have complexes that can accommodate up to 40 family members in one building.  The campus has all the amenities for family fun.  I highly recommend it for any family seeking out a place to share family time or family reunions. 

Thursday evening we went to Kent's home, met their 3 beautiful grandchildren, had a great dinner and got reacquainted.

Friday, September 9

Today was a fun filled day at the 35th Annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival.

Clara and I spent all day at the festival, enjoying a wide range of activities from music, military demonstrations, dance and bagpipe competitions, and learning more about the Scotch-Irish history.

 

Friday evening, we had Kent and Betty over for supper in the RV and then went to the Scotch-Irish  "Tattoo".   This was a great evening of military bands performing.  They had the Marine Band, the Air Force Drill team from Washington, DC, Scottish Band and others.  It was a stirring evening of remembrance of September 11, 2001.

We came back to the RV after the "Tattoo" for dessert and more remembering.

Kent and Betty Meyer

Betty learns to play the Bowed Psaltery



Saturday, September 10
After a leisurely morning catching up on washing clothes, Clara and I took off for a ride in the rental car to Nedderland, Colorado.  It is a rather eclectic town that had been a mining town in times past.

The drive was on one of Colorado's Scenic Byways, and it was indeed scenic.

 




Ice Cream in a railroad dining car, Nedderland, Co

Tonight we went over to Kent's to meet Jo Jo.  Jo Jo (now better known as Jo) is their daughter.  We first met Jo Jo when she was three months old when we baby sat for her on New Years eve about 25 years ago.  We remember (and reminded Jo) that evening well.  Jo Jo screamed all evening.

She is now the mother of three beautiful children and working in HR at the local hospital.

Bella



Mason



Mason, Bella and Riley

Betty and Jo

An absolutely great evening.  We hated we missed seeing Ethan, their son, but we got a minute with him when we picked up the pizzas where he works.

Sunday, Sept 11

This morning Kent picked me up and we went hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park at Wild Basin into Calypso Cascades.

In the afternoon Clara and I rode up into the National Park a while to get some information.  Tomorrow we will take the RV over Trail Ridge Road across Rocky Mountain National Park.  It will be interesting to see how well the RV handles the altitude - we will be going well over 12,000 - a 4,000 foot climb and descent.  It should be an interesting day.