My last blog included the forecast for the area.  Boy oh boy was I wrong.  They forecast less than an inch the first couple days of the week.  Here are the pictures after the storm dropped 24 inches!  Yikes!

The forecast for this week in Estes Park consists of light snow on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the 20s.  By the end of the week the temperatures will drop to zero or below at night and the snow is expected to stop.  As of today, the roads to Estes are clear.  I expect they will continue to be clear for the entire week.  There is a light covering of snow on some of the roads within Valhalla Resort.  All of these are easily negotiable. This picture shows the valley in front of the Overlook.  The road shown is the final portion of the road to the Overlook.  This shows the last hill which is the steepest.  It has less than an inch of snow but there is ice beneath this snow making it impossible to climb without four wheel or all wheel drive.  If you are planning on driving to the Overlook this week, do not stop on this hill...keep your momentum.  Dress warm.  There is significantly more snow in the Park.

I love this picture and hope you do too!  It shows the completed gazebo and the new outdoor bar under construction.  The gazebo has a full size wood fireplace, table and chairs.  The bar will have indoor and outdoor seating, a 60" TV that can be seen from most areas in the yard, a granite countertop, etc.  In front of the outdoor bar you can just barely see the firepit covered with snow.  On the left of the picture, you can also see the picnic table that seats 14 people.  Not shown is the horseshoe pit, romantic swing that hangs between two tree on the back hill, the old historic water tank on the hill, or the private porch off the master bedroom. Ready to reserve your Estes Vacation?  Simply hit the RESERVE BUTTON on one of the many pages found in this website.

Yesterday I made a trip to the Feed and Seed in Estes.  This is just a mile from the Overlook directly across from the Rocky Mountain National Park Shopping area.  I needed to pick up some wood slabs for shelves in the outdoor bar we are completing.  When I parked next to the wood slabs, I suddenly noticed a large bull elk feeding on the supplies within the storage barn.  It almost looks like he read the sign and decided this was a good place to feed.  I always try to keep a couple cars between me and these creatures this time of year.  Even though most of the rutting is past, they can still be unpredictable.  In this case, you can see how curious he was about me.  When ever I approached the wood slabs he would begin walking towards me.  I eventually got what I needed and went inside to pay.  Inside the clerk was in a frenzy over how to get him out of the barn.  She needed to get some grain and we wouldn't let her inside.  Yikes.

Did you miss the Christmas Parade and the lighting of the lights? Here are a couple pictures of the street lights in downtown Estes.  Downtown is exactly 3 miles from the Overlook.  During the summer there is a shuttle that will take you there...or even into the park for FREE.  Come enjoy the ambiance of Estes in winter.

Plan your trip to Estes NOW.  Enjoy our fantastic home where you can build shared memories and experience true luxury in this historic mountain retreat.  Here is a picture of our fenced back yard.  It has a horseshoe pit, fire pit, custom gazebo with full size fireplace, picnic table for 14, tools for warming smore's, firewood and coming this spring...a new outdoor bar.  The yard has a fantastic view of the Estes Valley since the house is perched on the side of Eagle Cliff Mountain.  The bar is shown with lights on the right side of this picture.  When complete, the windows swing up and out of the way.  Underneath the windows will be a granite counter with seating inside and outside.  It will have a 60" TV that you can watch from the bar or even when you are sitting at the firepit.   Book your Estes vacation NOW.  

Here is a night view of the fenced yard at the Overlook.  In this picture you can see the Gazebo, the Outdoor Bar (under construction), the snow covered mountains in the background, and the Fire Pit in front of the Outdoor Bar.

At the Overlook, we believe in creating an environment where families and friends can experience shared memories that will last a lifetime.  In the yard you will find a horse shoe pit, the Gazebo with fireplace, the Outdoor Bar with TV and spectacular views, a picnic table for up to 14 people, and more.  We offer firewood (limited), s'more tools, propane grill, lots of chairs, and several outdoor and indoor games. 

We are making good progress on our Outdoor Bar.  Here is a recent picture.  When finished, it will include a 60" TV, granite bar counter, swivel tractor seats, and even an electric fireplace.  The windows on the front raise up providing an excellent view from the yard. We hope to have this complete by Spring of 2017.  Imagine sitting by the fire pit and watching the TV from your adirondack chair.  Perhaps a football game or a family movie night.  Or, you can sit inside and overlook the valley and mountains while enjoying the warmth and ambience of the electric fireplace.   NOTE:  We plan  to only make thjs outdoor bar available to our guests during the summer months.