Day 20 Douglas Wyoming to Golden Colorado via Rocky Mountain NP
What a day.  We belted down the Interstate and by-passed Cheyenne so that we could visit Rocky Mountain National Park.  And aren't we glad we did. The climb up to Estes Park and the edge of the NP is though dramatic scenery, a narrow gorge with steep sides towering above the narrow road.  Then the scenery opens out as you arrive at Estes Park.  There was a family festival on today "Beer, Brats and Music"!  It was pretty clear who this was aimed at.  But the town was crowded and we made the mistake of not taking the by-pass, which would have reached our destination, the NP entrance, a lot earlier.

Once inside the Park we stopped at the Visitor Centre as there were two options available to us depending on time and the advice given by the rangers.  Go for it was what we were told, it's a beautiful drive and there are no problems with weather!

We drove a grand loop taking in the main areas of the Park.  We heard elk before we saw them through binoculars at our lunch stop and later had a very close encounter with a whole group by the roadside.

We took the high road, and I mean really high, so that we were up in the tundra zone at 11,000 feet and the scenery was fabulous.  What goes up must come down and the long, log descent took us through mixed woodland with lots of golden aspen trees in full fall colour.

Leaving the park we continued the descent towards Denver but looking ahead realised that the route would take us through Winter Park, a former ski trip having taken us here many moons ago! Mary impressed that I remembered where the hotel was.

Talking of moons, tonight is a total eclipse here near Denver, and as we arrive in the dark it has already started.  We eat supper by it's fluctuating light and plan for tomorrow before a relatively early night.  Just pleased that it is a much shorter drive!