Our recent snowstorm created 17 foot drifts across Trail Ridge Road.  Trail Ridge Road usually opens on Memorial Day.  However, this year, after a late May storm, it will not be open.  According to authorities, there is more snow in the higher elevations than they have seen in 30 years.  Not to worry.  I'm sure it will be opening in the next week or so. Stay tuned. 

We had a late May snowstorm drop 37 inches of snow on the Overlook over 1-1/2 days.  This video shows how quickly snow melts in Estes Park due to the strength of the sun at this elevation.  Enjoy!

The snow is melting quickly.  There is no snow on the main roads. However, many of the small road to hiking and picnic areas remain closed.  I expect they will reopen in a few days.  We saw several snowmen throughout the park.  Do you see the snowman in one of these pictures?

​​On May 18th, we had 30 inches of fresh snow that landed in Estes Park.  It created more than a few traffic issues.  In fact, it also caused lots and lots of power outages!  At the Overlook, we had a wonderful couple that were real troopers.  They had no electric or heat for nearly 24 hours and were unable to move their car due to the enormous amount of snow.  Nevertheless, they persevered by reading books and wearing headlamps.    In their words, they "decided to make it an adventure!"  Luckily, we got enough snow moved the next day so they could get to town.  Plus, the power came on at 2 a.m.  Here are some pictures of the snow at the Overlook and around town.​

The back yard of the Overlook.  This shows the gazebo with fireplace and outside bar.  The 14 person picnic table and fire pit are buried in the snow.

The valley in front of the Overlook.

The path between the Overlook and our weekend home, The Caretaker's Cottage.

The front porch of the Overlook.

Downtown Starbucks.

Estes Park Tram.

View out the Master Bedroom windows looking at the Outdoor Bar.

What do the people in Estes Park do when they have an unexpected snow storm in May that drops over 30 inches of snow?  Go to a local brewery and have beer...without a coat...with short sleeves!

DEFINITIONS

ODIN
Odin is the chief god of the Vikings, and became known as the supreme god in the eighth and ninth centuries. The Vikings admired Odin's love for the battle, as he was known as the "father of the slain".  However, Odin loved to cause conflicts and shifts of power. He once aided Harald, a Danish King, instructing him in tactics and granting him victories for years. Later, Odin drove the king to his demise.  Although Odin embodied deceit, violence and war, he also embodied many admirable qualities. He was the most knowledgeable god, with a great love for wisdom. He would willingly sacrifice himself for it.  With the threat of Ragnarok, the death of all gods, Odin built the Valhalla, a great hall of the "heroic dead". Odin would then gather heroes and warriors who were slain in battle, and bring them to Valhalla so they would fight alongside the gods.

VALHALLA
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by Valkyries. In Valhalla, the dead join the masses of those who have died in combat as they prepare to aid Odin during the events of Ragnarök. Before the hall stands the golden tree Glasir, and the hall's ceiling is thatched with golden shields. Various creatures live around Valhalla, such as the dee/elk and goats. These animals are described as standing atop Valhalla and consuming the foliage of the tree, Glasir.
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VALKYRIE
A Valkyrie is a female helping spirit of the god Odin. The modern image of the Valkyries as elegant, noble maidens bringing dead heroes to Valhalla is largely accurate for what it is, but a highly selective portrayal that exaggerates their pleasant qualities. To some extent, this tendency toward sanitization is present even in the later Old Norse sources, which focus on their love affairs with human men and their assisting Odin in transporting his favorites among those slain in battle to Valhalla, where they will fight by his side during Ragnarok.
 
RAGNAROK – The final battle where all the gods could die.
 
GLASIR – A golden tree that stands atop Valhalla.
 
 

INTRODUCING "ODIN'S PUB"

Its almost ready!  After breaking ground last spring, we are nearly ready to open our Outdoor Bar.  Woo Hoo.

What it is....

• A place to sit an enjoy the views from either inside or outside.
• A place to watch TV from the bar or just about anywhere in the yard.
• A place to develop shared memories with your friends and family.

Key features...

• 60" TV
• Granite Bar Top (yet to be installed)
• 3 Outdoor Tractor Seats
• 3 Indoor Bar Stools
• Filled with many interesting English Pub type of decor (Imagine a Jackalope Mount, Raccoon Skin, Coyote Skin, Rabbit Skin Coat, Raccoon Hat, Dragons, Vikings, Traditional English Pub Decor, etc.)
• Private Window Seat for sitting and reading a book while overlooking the valley
• Windows that automatically rotate up and out of the way
• Faux London Phone Booth
• An Electric Fireplace
• Solid Hand Hewn Oak Flooring
• Cathedral Wood Ceiling

Bar rules...

• No one under 21 years of age.  Why? Because there is lots of interesting and somewhat valuable stuff that can be easily broken.  This isn't a children's playhouse.
• BYOB - we don't provide any alcohol or drinks.  You need to bring your own..
• Must limit your enthusiasm ... we don't want any neighbors complaining about noise.

Why is it called Odin's Pub?

• Odin was a Viking God.  He is typically depicted as an old man with a beard.  He was responsible for determining which fallen Vikings would have the honor of living in Valhalla, which was their heaven.  Odin would send beautiful women, called his Valkyries, to bring the fallen Viking Heroes he selected,  to Valhalla. Since the Overlook is ideally situated above the Valhalla Cabin Resort, the idea of this being a perch for Odin seemed to make sense.  For those that are followers of the Game of Thrones, this probably makes more sense!

2017 Shuttle Bus Schedule
NOTE: All shuttle routes start May 27.
 
​Hiker Express Route

Daily service: May 27 to September 10
Weekends only: September 16 to October 9
Hourly 7:30 am to 11 am
Every 30 minutes from 11 am to 6 pm
Hourly 6 pm to 8 pm
Makes stops only at

• the Estes Park Visitor Center
• Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
• Park & Ride

Bear Lake Route

Daily service: May 27 to October 9
Every 10–15 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
Makes stops at

• Park & Ride
• Bierstadt Lake Trailhead
• Glacier Gorge Trailhead
• Bear Lake

Moraine Park Route

Daily service: May 27 to October 9
Every 30 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
Makes stops at

• Park & Ride
• Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables
• Hollowell Park
• Tuxedo Park
• Moraine Park Campground (C Loop)
• Cub Lake Trailhead
• Fern Lake Bus Stop

 Why Should You Take the Free Park Shuttle Bus?

• Access many destination and loop hikes along the Bear Lake Road corridor.
• Cut down on vehicle emissions in the park.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenery without the distraction and hassle of traffic congestion and limited parking.
• Parking areas along the Bear Lake Road fill most days during the summer and the buses provide the only access during those peak hours each day.
• Most buses are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs.

 Notes and Tips

• There are no shuttle bus services on the west side of the park or across Trail Ridge Road. There are several commercial shuttle tours in the Estes area. Contact the Estes Park Visitor Center for information.
• There are no bike racks on shuttle buses.
• Most shuttle buses are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. Contact shuttle staff or rangers if accommodation is needed.
• Pets are not allowed on shuttle buses except service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities. (Emotional support and service-animals-in-training are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.)