Rocky Mountain National Park

     We are watching the sun go down in Glacier Basin Campground at Rocky Mountain National Park.  It’s a beautiful evening, but cooling off quickly.  The campground is about 8 miles into the park up a narrow, winding road.  However, the campground area itself is quite large as it sits in a meadow that used to be covered with a glacier. 

     Our drive today was only a little over 200 miles but we gained 3500 feet in altitude so we are both pretty tired.  It is 8500 feet here at the campground.  For the first part of the drive we could see the Laramie Mountains in the distance.  Not spectacular, but mountains.  Then, as we drove through Cheyenne we came up over a hill, and there they were – The Rockies.  Snow covered peaks, jagged, magnificent. 

     Most of the drive was freeway until we got to Loveland.  Then we drove for several miles through a very busy town.  Finally the road narrowed and we drove 25 miles along the Thompson River through a winding canyon with steep rock walls.  The river was just thundering along.  Sometimes the walls of the canyon were so steep I could hardly see the sky.  We got to Estes Park and were amazed at how busy the town was.  Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited in the park system.  The town is only a couple miles from the park entrance so there are dozens of motels, campgrounds, and shops. 

     We are nearing the weekend and all the campsites are full.  Either reserved or already filled by folks waiting this morning to get a site.  The large group site seems to be full of Boy Scouts.  Most of the trees have been cut due to the pine beetle.  Half of the area is reserved for tent camping only.  The other two loops have some spaces big enough for small RV’s.  There is no electricity or water at the sites, just amazing views.  Five snow topped mountains are just outside my window.  The campground is full of activity, but quiet.  I am so glad that we scaled down our RV to a size that lets us stay right in the park.  It is a wonderful time.    It rained a little this afternoon and the air got quite cool. Now the sun is down and we are chilly.  What a fabulous sunset.  Colorado!