Here's a view of the Rocky Mountains this week.  People usually assume clouds are lying over the mountains.  However, this is actually blowing snow.  Did you know that Colorado has more than 50 mountains higher than 14,000 feet?  However, Longs Peak is the only 14,000+ mountain within the Rocky Mountain National Park.  Did you know that it was first climbed by John Wesley Powell in 1868?  Since then, 58 people have died climbing or hiking Longs Peak.

Longs Peak is distinguishable by its peak which is called the "Key Hole."  If you hike to the top, you will climb over the rocks in what is called the "Boulder Field."  You can see this in the foreground. These boulders are the size of cars. For perspective, if you look carefully, you can see a stone structure just to the left of the Key Hole.  This structure is 10 feet tall and is the Agnes Vaille Memorial. If you decide to climb Longs Peak, you want to get an early start. This is due to the fact that afternoon storms are common and bring deadly lightning.  Most hikers begin before dawn. It is about 7 miles to the summit.  The hardest part of the hike begins with the Boulder Field which is about 6.5 miles into the hike.

Our guests love our coffee bar.  Some might say...why make changes when everything is great.  Maybe they are right, but we don't think so....  We are constantly looking for ways to improve the experience of our guests.  So what's changed? 

We've added a new Keurig Coffee Machine, new Starbucks coffee syrups and several different kinds of sugars including imported brown sugar cubes.  

These additions complement our regular coffee machine, waffle maker, toaster, coffee grinder, complementary coffee, tea and creamers.

We also offer a thermos, cooler and picnic backpack for our guest to use during their stay.  

If you haven't done it yet, please book your next Estes Park vacation at The Overlook.  You won't be disappointed!!!!!!

In our never ending quest to provide the best experience possible for our guests, we have added natural bath salts that were custom made especially for The Overlook.  There is nothing more relaxing than soaking in our large soaking bathtub and using these bath salts. We provide four different bath salts that provide many health and wellness benefits as well as addressing issues such as hangovers, tired muscles, need to relax, anti fungal and anti inflammation properties, etc.  For the best possible experience, you should fill the soaking bath tub first.  Just before you enter the bathtub, simply add one scoop of one of our custom natural bath salts.  Enter, turn on our flame free candles, and enjoy your vacation as you sit in the tub consuming your favorite beverage while overlooking the entire Estes Valley from the birds eye view perspective provided at The Overlook. What could be better?

Everything seems to be frozen solid.  It was below zero again last night. This picture was taken this morning behind Starbucks in downtown Estes.  I hope the new year brings some warmer weather.

It was below zero again this morning.  It has been around or below zero at night for the last week or so.  The forecast calls for more of this frigid weather for the coming week.  We have about 5 inches of snow on the ground.  Even though it hasn't snowed lately, the snow is unable to melt in these frigid conditions.  You know it has been cold when...I stepped out of the car yesterday, when it was sunny, but only 20 degrees, and it felt like I didn't need a coat.  

Well...seeing the flash, the Bobcat ran right to the window and looked in!  Of course Karen took another picture.  What would you do?  Note:  There aren't any recorded attacks on humans by Bobcats in Estes...but would you take the risk?  She continued to look at Karen for several minutes before noticing an approaching car and then moved on.  How would you like to wake up in the morning and see her looking in the window at you?  Living in Estes means living with the animals that surround the property.  These wild animals are beautiful but I don't think I'd have an outdoor dog or cat!  I'm not sure they would survive a night in Estes!  Yikes!

Karen was cleaning the Master bedroom today and noticed this cute Bobcat behind the Overlook.  Bobcats are named after their "bobbed" tail.  You can barely tell in this picture, but their tail is very short with rings.  In addition, the back of their ears are distinctively white and black.  They are several times larger than your average house cat.   They enjoy eating the local squirrels and rabbits.  In this picture you can tell the Bobcat is look directly at Karen who is just inside the bedroom window.  Of course she got out her phone and took a picture. 

The camera flashed.......

Another award for Estes Park.  We are one of the most favorable snowy places in the USA.  See the following like for details.

http://www.eptrail.com/ci_29268718/estes-makes-best-snowy-places-list

Did you know that the Smithsonian ranked Estes Park as the Best Small Town in the USA in 2015?

See the following link for details.

http://kwgn.com/2015/04/21/estes-park-number-one-small-town/