Estes Park trip
Beemer and his co-workers had to attend a conference up in Estes Park at the (in)famous Stanley Hotel. Since I don't often get to tag along on these trips (and will be missing his trip to SF next week for AGU), he wrangled it so that I could tag along and stay at the hotel with him. Sure, the conference was off-limits, but that just meant that I had two days to explore.
We arrive about 9 AM, check-in, and part ways. Instead of exploring the hotel first, I opted to take the tour later when the conference was well underway and felt that it was a good time to explore the town. The wind chill put the temperature well below the stated 34 degrees, but I bundled up and hiked from the hotel down to the visitor's center, then over to the town proper.
(LJ doesn't want to agree with Flickr right now, so there won't be any pics to share here. Please head over to my photostream there to see them.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kansaimonkey/sets/72157632133439846/with/8229670439/
Estes Park has a nice stream winding its way down the city which would certainly make a striking image during any season other than this one. This winter, however, I'm treated to dead trees, a partially frozen stream, and two curious black-furred squirrels who are in a desperate search for food. The town displays goods and curio shops, many of which offer "authentic" American Indian art, jewelry, and tchotchkes.
It reminds me of a cross between Astoria, OR, and a younger Evergreen, CO; dotted with numerous small shops that open late, no big retailers marring the landscape, and a dated feel present in the building style. I get the curious/amused look by the few locals out and about, all of whom correctly peg me as a visitor and hope I'll pay a quick visit to their stores. I did swing by a small store selling various rocks and crystals to look at a life-sized resin cast of a triceratops skull, though any hopes of getting my pic with it were quickly dashed as it was proudly presented tightly in the front corner window boasting a $15000 price tag. Wisely choosing not to clamber upon the shockingly priced replica, I moved on for coffee before returning to the hotel.
The room itself was nice enough: a queen sized bed with very heavy comforters, a good sized closet, a humble bathroom without any ventilation, and a giant TV attached to the wall offering 100 or so channels (channel 42 plays Kubrick's "The Shining" 24/7). Oddly enough, the hotel's 4 floors have rooms divided into odd and even numbered wings. Our room, 412, was not to be found between 411 and 413, instead hiding discreetly on the other side of the building. Oof.
The tour covered the history the site, including the Concert Hall, Lodge, Icehouse, Dorms, and the Hotel itself. I won't bore you with the lengthy details but I will say that there are numerous tales of ghost sightings/events, close calls for the future of the hotel, and its film history. A reasonably enjoyable tour, but we were treated to a bonus tale where a bear had found the kitchen's grease trap and tracked large grease prints along the sidewalk.
As Beemer was still in Scientist Mode, I was dining alone at the Cascades enjoying a Surf & Turf plate; medium cooked sirloin with a tasty sauce, grilled shrimp, and some lovely mashed potatoes. I ordered the local pale ale (The Shining Pale Ale) which went well enough with the meal. Beemer finally met up with me that evening, but he didn't sleep that well. The bed was too soft, the blankets FAR too heavy and warm, and just overall too uncomfortable to sleep. (I was warm, but otherwise fine.)
The next morning I was given permission to swoop in at the tail end of the conference's breakfast, but the rest of the day was mostly just waiting around until everything wrapped up at 4. I enjoyed the trip well enough for what it was and it was nice to tag along with Beemer before he skips for a week.
We arrive about 9 AM, check-in, and part ways. Instead of exploring the hotel first, I opted to take the tour later when the conference was well underway and felt that it was a good time to explore the town. The wind chill put the temperature well below the stated 34 degrees, but I bundled up and hiked from the hotel down to the visitor's center, then over to the town proper.
(LJ doesn't want to agree with Flickr right now, so there won't be any pics to share here. Please head over to my photostream there to see them.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kansaimonkey/sets/72157632133439846/with/8229670439/
Estes Park has a nice stream winding its way down the city which would certainly make a striking image during any season other than this one. This winter, however, I'm treated to dead trees, a partially frozen stream, and two curious black-furred squirrels who are in a desperate search for food. The town displays goods and curio shops, many of which offer "authentic" American Indian art, jewelry, and tchotchkes.
It reminds me of a cross between Astoria, OR, and a younger Evergreen, CO; dotted with numerous small shops that open late, no big retailers marring the landscape, and a dated feel present in the building style. I get the curious/amused look by the few locals out and about, all of whom correctly peg me as a visitor and hope I'll pay a quick visit to their stores. I did swing by a small store selling various rocks and crystals to look at a life-sized resin cast of a triceratops skull, though any hopes of getting my pic with it were quickly dashed as it was proudly presented tightly in the front corner window boasting a $15000 price tag. Wisely choosing not to clamber upon the shockingly priced replica, I moved on for coffee before returning to the hotel.
The room itself was nice enough: a queen sized bed with very heavy comforters, a good sized closet, a humble bathroom without any ventilation, and a giant TV attached to the wall offering 100 or so channels (channel 42 plays Kubrick's "The Shining" 24/7). Oddly enough, the hotel's 4 floors have rooms divided into odd and even numbered wings. Our room, 412, was not to be found between 411 and 413, instead hiding discreetly on the other side of the building. Oof.
The tour covered the history the site, including the Concert Hall, Lodge, Icehouse, Dorms, and the Hotel itself. I won't bore you with the lengthy details but I will say that there are numerous tales of ghost sightings/events, close calls for the future of the hotel, and its film history. A reasonably enjoyable tour, but we were treated to a bonus tale where a bear had found the kitchen's grease trap and tracked large grease prints along the sidewalk.
As Beemer was still in Scientist Mode, I was dining alone at the Cascades enjoying a Surf & Turf plate; medium cooked sirloin with a tasty sauce, grilled shrimp, and some lovely mashed potatoes. I ordered the local pale ale (The Shining Pale Ale) which went well enough with the meal. Beemer finally met up with me that evening, but he didn't sleep that well. The bed was too soft, the blankets FAR too heavy and warm, and just overall too uncomfortable to sleep. (I was warm, but otherwise fine.)
The next morning I was given permission to swoop in at the tail end of the conference's breakfast, but the rest of the day was mostly just waiting around until everything wrapped up at 4. I enjoyed the trip well enough for what it was and it was nice to tag along with Beemer before he skips for a week.