Lori Smith Estes Park Real Estate - LiveInEstesPark.com

What to do with kids in Estes Park? I saw this question posted recently and it is a concern for many who visit here with children too young to hike long distances. You don’t need to climb Longs Peak or back country camp in RMNP to fully appreciate the area. There is art, history, nature, food, shopping, entertainment and much more. There are too many activities to list so I will just mention of few.

It is going to be hard for me not to emphasize JUST going into the park. It is by far the best attraction we have. You don’t have to hike for miles to experience its beauty though. There are lots of places to hike just a block or two and explore rocks, streams, and see great views. Visit the Alluvial Fan near the North Entrance for hours of rock hopping, playing in the water or looking for wildflowers or wild raspberries. Also Lily Lake has a very short walking loop with plenty of opportunity for adventure. Stop in to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and talk to the staff for ideas. They have ranger led walks just for young children. Make your own GORP, have a picnic in Moraine Park. Drive up Old Fall River Road and find a patch of snow to play in. Let’s back up for a minute before you come into the park, stop by the Estes Park Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and get one of their calendars of events to find out what is going on around town. There might be a festival going on at Bond Park or the Stanley Park Fairground. We have the Rooftop Rodeo, Arabian horse shows, car shows, art shows, Highlands Scottish Irish Festival, Quilt Shows, Film Festivals and our course Elk Fest. You could go to a festival every weekend all summer. We do have some fun touristy kinds of attraction like go-carts and miniature golf, but I would encourage you to also check out some of the unique attractions Estes Park offers like the Estes Park Museum or MacGregor Ranch Museum. Our Art Center and Library offer programs for hands-on activities throughout the summer months. Did you bring Fido? Take him to the Dog Park to burn up some energy. If you are downtown, check out some of our kid friendly stores that sell toys or have rocks and artifacts. Watch the glass blowers at several glass shops too. Grab an ice cream cone and head over to Riverside Plaza or Performance Park to enjoy an outdoor concert. Visit the flower garden on West Elkhorn Ave. and see how many flowers you can name. Rent a bike cart and ride around Lake Estes or play at one of the many playgrounds around town. Ride the Aerial Tram to the top of Prospect Mountain. Maybe the weather is turning off bad? Head over to the Aquatic Center for a swim or to the Historic Park Theater for a movie. How about the Estes Park Mountain shop for a rock climbing lesson? And I almost forgot the YMCA of the Rockies, horseback riding and chuck wagon dinners too. Soon we will have a Planetarium for star gazing. How about an old time portrait? Are you tired yet? You don’t need to leave Estes to keep the family entertained. #1 Rule-don’t forget to take lots of water, sunscreen and snacks!

Dining in Estes Park is always an interesting experience. Anyone recognize this wall? It is at the Dunraven Inn on Spur 66 on your way to the YMCA. This restaurant is a piece of Estes Park history. Approximately $13,000 line the walls at this cozy Italian eatery.

We didn’t know it was Homecoming until we got to the restaurant so it was a busy night for them. The hostess informed us of a 45 minute wait, but we went ahead and reserved a table anyway. We drove around for half an hour and returned to wait for our table. We read the walls while we waited and watched the fish in their aquarium. I don’t know how long ago it started, but there are dollars bill stapled to every available surface. The walls, and ceilings are completely covered with money that has been personalized with names, dates and personal messages about celebrations held in this restaurant. It was fun to read about birthdays, anniversary and vacations through the years from visitors to Estes Park. We were seated in a nook of four seating areas on the SW corner of the building. I felt I needed to get the flashlight from my purse to read the menu. Our waitress was friendly and very attentive. Once you are given the menu and the wine list there is no doubt that the food is going to wonderful. Honestly, the wine list is larger than the menu. Alan had the Prime Rib and I had Fettucini Alfredo with chicken. We had these great house salads that were Italian style with black olives, Parmesan cheese and tomatoes. The salad dressing was homemade. I think we had Creamy Garlic. I was stuffed after only my salad and some bread. Alan ordered an appetizer of potato skins, which is like a meal in itself. They are served with a cheese sauce on half and then a meat sauce on the others. He was so full, he had his salad boxed up for him. We had more fun reading the dollar bills on the walls while we waited on our food. When the waitress brought out our food I couldn’t believe the size of the portions. My entree was served on a bed of spinach fettuccine on a plate at least 12″ in diameter. Alan’s was just the same. Our food was fresh and prepared with great care. It tasted wonderful. I insisted on getting half of mine in a to-go box because I wanted to still have room to sample something off their dessert menu. A woman at the table next to us ordered a Mudslide, so I had to try one too instead of a dessert. Our waitress gave us just the right amount of service, not too much & not too little. At some point, she found out we were locals and it was our first time in the restaurant. Next thing you know we had a set of drinks from the owner. I can’t remember what they were called, but it was a chilled lemon-flavored liquor-YUM!. Our experience was just top-notch all the way around. The food, service and atmosphere were remarkable. When you are visiting here or if you live here full-time this is a must try dining experience. We forgot to leave a dollar, so I guess we have to eat there again soon.

There is nothing more beautiful than newly fallen snow! Nothing!! Here is the view off my deck on Monday.

Unfortunately, I had to cover floor time that morning so I couldn’t enjoy our first snow of the year. I just grabbed my camera on my way out and drove to work with my windows open and heated seat on (of course). Here are some pics from my drive. The views were terrible.

After work yesterday I had to drive by a house and saw a huge herd of elk. This guy was digging or something with his antlers and grass was flying everywhere. He finally plopped down in the hole as I drove away. The next elk I saw had rolled in mud and he was totally covered. That will surely attract the ladies.

Have a great day!

Lori

I promise soon I will post about Estes Park real estate again. People keep asking me how sales are here. The market is picking up here again. So far, the sold numbers are up from last year in volume and number of units sold. I haven’t analyzed it further than that, but I will. Now onto hiking, it’s why I moved here. I saw a sign the other day, it read “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”. Very well said!!

I was worried about missing the aspens so I played hooky on October 1st. It was incredibly windy that day so I decided to hike in Wild Basin of Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. Wanting a long hike I decided on Bluebird Lake, it is 6.3 miles to the lake. It really is a summer hike, but I didn’t realize that until I was underway. The aspens as you follow the trail were spectacular. I even was lucky enough to wear short sleeves for a while. I was trying to keep a good pace because I didn’t get to the TH until 10:50. I needed to be back by 5pm. There was light snow in the shady areas past Ouzel Falls, but I didn’t expect it as I went higher. I loved this hike except for the burn area, after the trail splits to Bluebird it seems to go on forever. I personally think it is depressing, but the grasses were flourishing in fall colors. I am sure the flowers are plentiful in the summer. The last 1.5 miles seemed like 3 or 4 miles. I loved the dense forest, but it was kind of creepy. I really expected the lake around every corner. I had to scramble on wet snowy rock towards the end too. Most of my concern was hiking alone and this far out. I never saw another hiker past where the trail splits to Ouzel Lake or Bluebird Lake. When I finally crested the hill and saw the lake I couldn’t stand up straight because the wind would push me over. I walked kind of bent-over to a large boulder to snap some photos and eat my lunch. It was 2:00 and I was starving. Freezing cold winds weren’t conducive to a relaxing meal so I just started back with my PB&J. I hustled back jogging when I could. As the sun dips in Wild Basin in gets cold quick. I stopped and talked to a few hikers on my way back and spotted a couple of deer. Which is really surprising because the joke is that we see more wildlife in our backyard than in RMNP. By the last mile I was limping terribly and couldn’t wait to get to my car. As I entered the Estes Valley my phone starting buzzing. Apparently, Alan and the girls were the only people I told that I was hiking. My office was about to report me missing. Always tell someone where you are going. I leave a note in my car where it’s easily read through the window. Here are some photos of the Ouzel Fire burn area, some really pretty aspens, and a blustery Bluebird Lake. More photos here. Have a great week!

Lori

I was lucky enough to take the day off a week or so ago. Great weather-Sunny, mid 70’s and NO wind. I decided to go to Sky Pond. I stupidly took the summer trail and had to deal with the crowds by Alberta Falls. I love the trail after you split off toward the Loch. It was intoxicating the pine and vanilla smell in the trees. The smells of the forest are almost better than the sights. The trail past the Loch is so interesting and the trail crews have been working hard moving boulders and making walk ways. It seemed very steep at times. Right before I got to Timberline falls I passed a group of women twice my age. They were moving delicately down the rock steps before the falls. I knew I couldn’t chicken out now. Alan had told me a little about what to expect, but I was nervous getting up the trail by the falls. I worn my Keen sandals and soaked my socks immediately. I am just not real sure-footed so my big fear was doing something clumsy. My theme from this point on was “This is the trail?” I had to repeat this later between Lake of Glass and Sky Pond on this skinny rock ledge. My Lamaze training came back to me real quick. Deep breathing and talking to yourself works pretty good. I was taunted by the picas who would not sit still for any photos. I loved Lake of Glass. The beautiful green and blue colors of the water are amazing. Occasionally the wind would blow slightly and it looked like diamonds floating on the water. I could have stayed all day, but I was on a time limit. I was anxious about getting back down the falls. Also my phone kept ringing-the kids missed the bus and work, etc. Back to reality. I love the winter trail from where the trail splits to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. I never see anyone on it. I stupidly parked at Bear Lake and thought I was going to croak that last half mile up to my car. It was a fantastic day besides that last part.

For a small mountain town, the resources we have compare to that of a much larger city. We have many recreation opportunities that are great for families and retirees alike. I want to brag about our Aquatic Center. I took my three daughters to the Estes Park Aquatic Center on Wednesday evening for family night. For $2 per person, swimming is offered from 7-8:30 p.m. When you think about what it costs to go to a movie or concert, this is cheap entertainment. The physical benefits are great too. They had inflatable toys, noodles, and you could shoot hoops in the shallow end. In the 10′ area there is a rope where you can swing and drop off into the water and a diving board. For little ones there is a shallow play area. Also a few lanes were roped off for lap swimming. The girls enjoyed playing with each other and saw some of their friends too. My kids were sooo wiped out when we got home. I think this is a new Wednesday tradition for us. It will be great for my sanity this winter when it is too cold to play outside.

For those of you concerned with Estes Park getting overrun with condos you can attend the upcoming meeting of the Estes Valley Planning Commission in the Board Room of the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 16th at 1:30 p.m. Topic of discussion will be the application for the planned 42 condominium units on S. St. Vrain (HWY 7) and Lexington Ln on an almost 6 acre parcel that is a grassy meadow where elk herds are seen often and other wildlife too. We have 167 condos on the market right now. Honestly do we need more. Prices are falling to 2005/2006 values. This would depreciate the values even more. Anyway, come and voice your opinion.

The hottest real estate deal of the summer is happening. One of the most talked about listings in Estes Park is now under contract.

This is the highest priced single family home ever listed on our MLS. Listed for $7,500,000 this beautiful mountain home in Windcliff Estates has views that are unsurpassed and a heated driveway. This spectacular structure boasts 7500 sq. ft., 7 bedrooms, 8 baths and a custom built circular log stairway to each of the four levels. With views like you might find in Switzerland, you do need a Swiss Bank account to afford it. This price might not seem like much for a ski resort town, like Vail or Aspen, but until now the highest priced sale on our Northern Colorado MLS was just under $3,000,000. Not that we don’t have property valued in this range, it’s just that nothing this expensive has been listed in the MLS before now. Currently 18 single family homes are listed for over a million dollars, compared to only 4 homes five years ago. We have to wait to see what it sells for, but one thing is for sure. Estes Park is moving up!