December 10-13, 2009
Estes Park and Erie, CO
I was going stir-crazy in my house. Michelle suggested I get away for awhile. But I didn't want to be gone for a long time or spend a lot, and I was really reluctant to spend even more time alone. But clearly, I had to do something. And so I decided to take a brief writing retreat to Estes Park, CO (which I'd last visited 10 years earlier) and combine that with another visit with Lisa and Robert. I booked a place at the Estes Park Condos, recommended by Michelle and seconded by J.M., used a free Southwest ticket, and headed into a deep freeze in the Rockies.
For some reason, the 2-bedroom condos were cheaper than the 1-bedroom, so I went with the larger place and invited Lisa and Robert to join me the second night. I spent the last night of my trip at their house in Erie.
I didn't get much writing done because the days were too beautiful to stay indoors, especially with the Rocky Mountain National Park just a mile away, but it was still really good to escape reality for a short while.
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| Rocky Mountain National Park | Bull elk | Elk in snowy meadow | Elk in snowy meadow | Elk in snowy meadow |
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| Why did the elk cross the road? | Deserted Estes Park, 5 pm | Frozen Fall River | Frozen Fall River | Nativity scene |
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| Deserted Estes Park, 5 pm | O Christmas tree | Deserted Estes Park, 5 pm | Bronze cougar | Estes Park Riverwalk |
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| Estes Park Riverwalk | Bronze bird of prey | View from my balcony | View from my balcony | My balcony |
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| View from my balcony | Walking around the condos | Deep blue sky | Snowy rocks | My condo |
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| My balcony | My balcony | Rocky Mountain national park | Birch grove | Bull elk keeps watch |
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| Magpie | Magpie in the sun | Magpie in the sun | Alluvial Fan trailhead | Alluvial Fan trailhead |
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| Contrail | Gnarly dead tree | Gnarly dead tree | Alluvial Fan trail | Frozen Roaring River |
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| Alluvial Fan trail | Me on the Alluvial Fan trail | Mmmm, snow pizza! | Alluvial Fan trail | Snow ripples |
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| Frozen Roaring River | Snow ripples | Snow ripples | Snow ripples | Alluvial Fan |