Meet our resident bear.  He spent the summer opening all the car doors in our neighborhood.  He was very gifted at opening car doors.  One evening he opened Karen's car door to look inside.  He carefully removed two folded lawn chairs and stacked them in the driveway.  He then proceeded to climb into the car where he found two bags of peanuts.  He sat outside the car and ate an entire bag of peanuts. He opened each peanut and left the shells in a neat pile. He then took the second bag with him and walked home.  Luckily we caught his adventures on our video security system.  Lesson learned.  Always lock your car and don't leave any food inside.  

Here is one of our resident pine squirrels. He is about 1/2 the size of normal tree squirrels.  They live in a very narrow range of elevation.  They eat nothing but pine cones.  They eat it down to nothing but what looks like an apple core.  They spend their entire day gathering and eating pine cones or sitting in the tree screaming at you. They are very loud and will sit and chirp for hours in the trees.  You can walk right up to them. They seem to have no fear of humans, yet they aren't interested in anything we might give them. Yesterday I had one jump on my back while I worked on a sprinkler system.  I think he thought I was messing with his water supply.  Scared me silly.  They are very cute with white eye liner and tummies.  

Elk don't really like the snow too much.  Here they are bedding down during the first snow of the season.  It is only 10:45 a.m. There were about 50 females and 1 male.  Can you find him?  This picture was taken in the field in front of the Overlook.

Well it finally happened.  Our first snow of the year.

Here is the view from the Moraine Park Amphitheater.  This shot was taken just as you exit the forest and reach the amphitheater.  This is the perfect spot for a picnic or even a wedding.  It is one of the many hidden jewels of the park that are seldom used but offer spectacular views. There are even rest rooms, an indoor sitting area, museum and visitor center right next to the amphitheater.  There is also a large parking area where you can catch the park shuttle to all the best hiking spots within the park.  This shuttle is completely FREE.

From the Overlook, you can hike directly into the Rocky Mountain National Park.  It is a 20 minute hike to the Moraine Park Amphitheater and Museum.  This trail is very remote and isolated.  We are always alone on this trail. It is the perfect trail for a picnic.  Or, take your picnic to the amphitheater. It is a spectacular spot to look upon Moraine Park.  The trail goes along the edge of Eagle Cliff Mountain and has the mountain on the left and a small river on the right.  You will hike a relatively flat trail that winds in and out of the forest.  In the summer, the RMNP shuttle will pick you up at the amphitheater and take you to all of the best hike trials in the park.  Why drive...when you can simply hike into the park (NO ENTRANCE FEE) and take the shuttle for FREE.  The Amphitheater is occasionally used for weddings.  In 10 years, we have only seen one wedding at this location.  However, it would be a perfect place for a wedding.  I'm not certain what it costs to hold a wedding today.  However, it was $150 a few years ago.  What a perfect place to get married...in the park and you can stay at the Overlook which is a short hike away!

You requested, we responded. Our guests have asked for a fire pit.  Here it is.  This is somewhat temporary.  Stay tuned for the final stone fire pit.  Bring the chocolate, marshmallows and gram crackers.  We'll supply the wood, matches and lighter fluid. We even have hot dog cookers, and pie makers for the fire.  

One of the things you have to get used to in Estes are the road blocks.  This isn't usually construction.  Its the stubborn animals.  This Bull Elk decided to block the road for about 30 minutes.  He seemed to be daring anyone to pass.  Would you?

Aspen Gold - The trees are beautiful in Estes Park right NOW.  This won't last long.  Book your get away now to enjoy all that Estes Park has to offer.  This picture was taken near the Estes Park East Portal. Many don't know of this secret spot.  It is just past the YMCA on HW 66.  This road dead ends at the Estes Park East Portal.  You will find picnic tables, trails, a small lake, and a campground.  This is one of the hidden treasures of Estes Park.  Karen and I frequently take a picnic lunch to this location and we are usually completely alone.  Why fight the RMNP crowd when this special place is free, seldom used and conveniently located down the road from the Overlook.  

Although we have three bedrooms, a couple will find the Overlook extremely private and comfortable.  We have designed the home to be flexible for a variety of types of groups.  As a couple, you will enjoy the comfort of the Master Bedroom and the lavish furnishings.  A family will enjoy the extra bedrooms and open floor plan.  Larger groups enjoy the variety of seating arrangements inside and outside the home.  We have a private patio off the Master Bedroom that is very private and secluded.  We have a table on the back hill that easily accommodates four people and overlooks the entire Estes Valley.  We also have a custom picnic table in the fenced yard that accommodates 14 people.  Inside we have a formal dinning table which easily accommodates six.  We have a breakfast bar that easily accommodates three.  The open format allows people to sit in the living room and feel like they are part of the group at the formal dining room table and breakfast bar.  So, no matter what your group looks like, if Estes Park is your destination, the Overlook might be your perfect accommodation.