A night at the Stanley

This past Friday night, I found my self in Estes Park, with a night at the Stanley Hotel. Originally, this had been planned as a full weekend ( took Sunday off) to help a friend out again. But unfortunately they had to work over the weekend. So I headed up for a night on Friday. It’s been a year or two since my last visit to Estes, but can’t remember the last time I’ve been to the Stanley. It was an enjoyable evening, dinner at the hotel then checked in to the big comfy bed. The next morning I walked around downtown Estes Park before making the drive back to downtown Denver- kinda fun being a tourist… On the drive home, I had an area I wanted to check out, but drove right on past the turn off for the dirt road… A fun little escape. Sadly, no Ghostly encounters during my stay at the Stanley.

Coming into Estes Park, found that I had the sign all to myself. Had to snap a quick pic.

All checked into the Stanley.

Stepped outside later in the night for some night shots….. I forgot to bring my tripod. Best I could do using mounds of snow as a base for the camera.

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2021. A look back

As 2021 winds down, it’s fun to look back on what turned out to be quite a fun year, filled with good pals and adventures with the club. Cruise Moab, Rising Sun 4×4 Club of Colorado’s annual Spring Moab event, was back on (after being canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19), albeit a toned down version- no Vendor Night and big Dinner and Raffle. Before the event started, I was able to sneak away to Beef Basin, a remote stretch of wonderful desert, South of Canyonlands for two days by myself before friends showed up. Summer time brought a full schedule, A trip down to Creede, CO (a first visit for me) and the Upper Rio Grande River basin for this years Ghost town Run and an always enjoyable trip to ride and Chase the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad- one of my favorites! Fall would find us chasing Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch down in the Gila Wilderness of South Western NM for this years “Outlaws Run”. Shortly after I headed back down to NM for a long weekend stay in Chama to ride and photograph the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad as a celebration for my 3 year post Open Heart Surgery anniversary. All the while, I continued my monthly outings up to the cabin. Here’s some of my favorite images from the past year (in no specific order), enjoy!

Outlaw, Scoundrel, Miscreant- definitely emphasis on the Miscreant:). Outlaws Run 2021, Gila Wilderness.

The Honeybadger and the Upper rio Grand River Valley. Ghost town Run, July 2021.

Taking on water, Cumbres Pass.. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. 3 year post Open Heart Surgery anniversary. October 2021.

An almost Summer Solstice get together with the club. Upper Meadows, Indian Creek Park Ranch. June 2021.

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An almost Christmas Eve at the cabin

A quick visit to the cabin this past Thursday for Christmas. Still not mush snow up there, though it did rain all night and it was snowing Friday morning in the Upper Meadows. I’ve come to love hanging out in the “Winter Quarters” during the colder months. The pot belly stove puts out some wonderful heat- perfect for dozing off to. With the Holiday season, the farmhouse was a festive scene. Friday morning I woke up and headed to the “Upper Meadows” to check on the progress of the logging operations, along with a drive to the wilderness boundary of Mt. Evans and a stop at my favorite tree:).

Dropping down into the main valley of the property, Hands down my favorite view in CO.

Always love seeing the farmhouse light up for the holidays.

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Finally starting to feel like Winter at the cabin

I headed up this past Thanksgiving week to the cabin. It was a quick visit. Heading up after work and back down again early the next morning to finish off the work week. It felt good to get up there, having not been up at all for November. I managed to get up to the Upper Meadows above the pond and check out the logging progress before night set in. Afterword’s, I settled into the “Winter Quarters” for the night and enjoyed a toasty fire.

Didn’t get many pics from this outing. Silly me forgetting the fully charged camera battery’s at home- the one in my camera was pretty much dead. So had to use the cell phone.

A much needed night away.

As I passed through the gate to the property, I heard that all to familiar sound and after a short look around, spotted the flock of wild Turkey that hangs around the property.

A closer look with the cell phone.

Always have to stop and take in my favorite view, even if it’s covered in clouds.

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Something a bit different

I headed up last weekend with a good friend to Devils Thumb Ranch. Definitely a different kind of outing for me, but still most enjoyable one. It was great to be there for a friend and not gonna lie, it was kind of nice to be spoiled for a bit- was treated to a 50 minute deep tissue massage (apparently I had a bit of stress). A few pics from the outing.

A place you don’t usually see my 4runner.

First evening at the ranch. Dinner time views. Winter Park in the distance.

Mountain vistas.

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Last bit of Fall at the cabin

Crazy to think my last visit up to the cabin was in mid August. September seemed to be busy with treks down to New Mexico. I Headed up to the cabin after work this past Thursday for the night. Sure felt good to get back up there. The air was cool and most of the Aspens either done for the year or just past there peak. The Loggers are making great progress and currently just past the pond in the Upper Meadows. Friends joined me for the night, felt great to be back at the cabin hanging around the fireplace with good company.

Mt. Evans in the distance.

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Enter New Mexico- Steam trains, fall colors and Chama time

It’s hard to believe I’m already three years in for my post Open Heart Surgery Anniversary. After getting out for last years anniversary (Fall time bliss on Kebler Pass) I decided to make it an annual trip to go out and celebrate the anniversary. With work kindly letting me take a day for a long weekend, even though I was just down in New Mexico for a week for this years Outlaws Run, I headed down to Chama, NM to celebrate.

I’ve been to Chama a number of time, especially since we started chasing the Cumbres and Toltec with the club a few years ago. Yet, I’ve never enjoyed Chama as it seems were always in a rush passing through to get back to camp. Needles to say it was great to spend a few days in town. Chama is definitely in its own world. Current hours for the Boxcar Cafe: 9-3pm.

Even got to spend some time with family and friends while there:).

Getting ready for the days trip to Antonito from the Chama train yard.

A full open air car and the Lobato Trestle.

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Exploring the Gila. Outlaws Run 2021

Another Outlaws Run in the books. 9 days, 1800 miles, great pals and lots of fun times! Having missed last years run, it was great to get back out with the gang. We headed down to the Gila National Forest for this years trip. It’s been a place I’ve been wanting to check out for some time, seeing that Alma, NM was an important stop along the “Outlaw Trail”. A place Butch Cassidy spent a bit of time at- working on the WS Ranch just outside of town. It’s a haul to get down to the Gila from Denver, and it seems we only managed to touch the surface of this fine part of NM.

Some of my favorite pics from the trip. Enjoy!

Emery Gap. Enter NM.

Folsom Hotel. Hosted many of the famous Outlaws during it’s heyday.

Camp views.

New Mexico Sunrise:).

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