Day 5 - Estes Park, CO to Denver, CO

Really short driving day today. We were up about 6:45 and after a quick continental breakfast were off at 7:39. Highway 36 took us down to Lyons and along the St. Vrain River. Those of you who fly fish may recognize Lyons as the onetime home John Gierach. John is the author of a number of books based on various fly fishing adventures. My first read of his was Standing in a River Waving a Stick and I was hooked (get it, hooked.)

Boulder and Broomfield took us into stop and go traffic on Interstate 25. Living in Central Oregon, I’d forgotten what four lanes of stopped traffic looked like. Pretty impressive and it’s amazing what some drivers will do to gain one car length.

After passing downtown Denver off to the left traffic thinned out and we headed for our motel. We were being way overly optimistic thinking your room would be ready at 9:35, but to our collective astonishment it was. After dropping off a few bags we made the short drive over to Park Meadows Mall, where Barb led on a two and a half hour tour of every square foot.

Lunch was at Champs. We split a turkey sandwich and I had a bowl of French Onion soup. And a Newcastle Brown (that’s a beer.) Barb opted for Corona. We spent a couple of hours back at the motel and then meet some Denver friends for dinner at Brio Tuscan. Excellent dinner.

Today’s bargain: Gas in Estes Park for $3.34 a gallon. Boy was I surprised. Resort town up in the mountains. I was thinking at least $3.80.

Today’s best deal: Two and a half hours at the mall and Barb didn’t buy a thing.

Today’s freebee: Our room at the Hilton for free.

Tomorrow another short drive, this one to Colorado Springs for a 2 day stay. 181 miles today.