RiverSpruce cabin - great time in Estes Park!

We just got back from our two nights in Estes Park and had a really nice time. The River Spruce cabin was right on the Big Thompson River, which was running pretty high this time of year. We had our own fire pit, hot tub, and bench by the river - very nice!

The first night we decided to switch plans for dinner because we found out that the Dunraven Inn was a few minute walk. So we went there and enjoyed a very relaxing dinner. Yesterday we took a hike in the "Lumpy Ridge" area of Rocky Mountain National Park, which we'd never been to. It is actually a bit north and east of downtown Estes, and you don't even go through a park entrance station to get there. It was beautiful hike, fairly good uphill, and with great views of the town and Long's Peak. On the way up, we went by this privy, which upon investigating turns out to be solar powered! I looked it up online and found this:

"A SOLAR PRIVY that distills waste and doesn't have to be cleaned out has been invented by microbiologist William M. Tipton. Such outhouses will be used in the Rocky Mountain National Park's high country, where human waste was formerly removed (expensively) by helicopter."

Gem Lake was very picturesque and there were the requisite begging ground squirrels (and not very afraid of people, as you can see!). As we sat on the rocks eating lunch we were treated to a fun show by two young ravens. We had heard some pretty raucous squawking and then Marianne saw the parent bird feeding one of the younger ravens. Then as we ate, the two young birds were on the opposite shore, exploring chattering in raven talk, and generally just acting like inexperienced young kids! One would pick up a stick, kind of toss it, then squawk, and pick it up again. They were tugging at various plants - kind of looked like they were figuring out what might be edible and what not. Anyway, we watched them for 15-20 minutes and it was quite entertaining!

Last night we went to the Rock Inn and Mom had a 90 Schilling and I tried a Dan's Pale Ale from Oskar Blues brewery in Lyons, Colorado. I'd never heard of them, but this pale ale was judged very highly, and it was hoppy and good.

We're back home now, but feeling refreshed from some good mountain time, time by the river, hiking, and good food!

P.S. - I didn't hear or see the dusky flycatcher, so that will have to wait til another time.