Having driven through Rocky Mountain National Park, I knew that we did not want to stay over in the Estes Park area…’WAY’ too many people. Thought about trying to get into the Timber Creek Campground, which is inside the National Park…but when I saw all the various camping options between the cities of Granby and Grand Lakes, with three large lakes, Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain and Grand Lake…well, I decided to look into this area a bit closer.
The Stillwater Campground, as seen Saturday late afternoon above from across the lake from us, is the biggest campground, mostly through reservations, but with a handful of first come-first camp situations. I am sure this campground was much more appealing when it had more trees…which were removed years ago due to the Pine Beatle infestation. I am sure most campsites have a view of the lake now…but they also have a view of just about every other campsite in the campground.
When I saw that Sunset Point Campground was all first come-first camp type of park, that appealed to me. When I saw that the campground still had trees, that appealed to me. When I saw that it is laid out along the lake, all on one road (no loops) along the lakeside, that appealed to me. Now, as a first come-first camp park, you have to have a plan…our plan was to arrive on Tuesday around 11 am…that worked real good. We immediately met camp host Suzzie and her friend Elaine who were riding a golf cart up and down the road. Suzzie, who works along with her husband Rick, rattled of a list of campsites which were available…and suggested campsite #12. We got down to 12, and yep, did not need to go further. As we were setting up, she comes by and hands us a pay slip, says she will be back through later to pick it up…cool. Later, when talking to Rick, I found out they have worked here for 8 years straight now…come up from Fort Worth each year. The picture above is what we see right outside our entry door…and the park is full.
Yesterday late afternoon, soaking up the
78 degree weather, I sat at the rear of the motorhome in the shade and took this picture above of a gal walking her dog. Look at how hard it is to see her and the dog, yet they are right in the middle of the picture. The picture to the right is a close up of them. There are lots of dogs here this weekend, and keeping them all on leashes has been a slight issue until Rick catches them and says, “only one more warning, after that you and the dog are out of here!” But the point I want to make is that with all the trees, yes, our view of the lake is impaired a bit…so is the view and noise of the neighbors…especially distant neighbors. And the nights have been so quiet, especially after 10 pm when generators have to be off. Honestly, I have heard a few generators, but nothing that caused us any grief.
78 degree weather, I sat at the rear of the motorhome in the shade and took this picture above of a gal walking her dog. Look at how hard it is to see her and the dog, yet they are right in the middle of the picture. The picture to the right is a close up of them. There are lots of dogs here this weekend, and keeping them all on leashes has been a slight issue until Rick catches them and says, “only one more warning, after that you and the dog are out of here!” But the point I want to make is that with all the trees, yes, our view of the lake is impaired a bit…so is the view and noise of the neighbors…especially distant neighbors. And the nights have been so quiet, especially after 10 pm when generators have to be off. Honestly, I have heard a few generators, but nothing that caused us any grief. 
With no campers behind us, it is where I normally walk the dogs…away from the street and away from the view of other dogs. Had a Long Haired Dachshund, who was being walked on a leash, get away from its owner as it was being put into their motorhome…and it rushed over to say hello to Skruffy and Bubba. Bubba just stares and wags his tail, Skruffy and the other Dachshund have to bark at each other to let each other know that they are related…honestly, their barks was like listening to a stereo of Dachshunds barking.
Have not seen any wildlife on this end of the lake, but I did find two Osprey nest nearby. The one on the left is further away from us, but right alongside the road…the one on the right is closer to our location, but much further away from the road, but down an embankment so you can see more of the nest. I have seen these birds flying through the park, but with the trees, they suddenly appear, and then they are gone, headed to or from the lake.
As I drove over the dam yesterday, I got this shot of the Colorado River. They won’t let you stop on the dam at all…safety issue they say from 9-11 attacks. The Colorado looks so small…
…but this picture above was taken of the Colorado up in the National Park. The headwaters of the Colorado are up in the park, and to see those headwaters, one has to hike about 10 miles along the river. This picture was taken just a mile from the Visitor’s Center. Now that the weekend is over, we plan to head back up into the park…probably Tuesday since Monday is going to be laundry day. Today we will just sit back and enjoy the departure of about 1/3 of the parks occupants, and the rush of newcomers looking for a spot for a day or two.
Although it looked like it was going to rain, the rain did not come until after we got back to the motorhome…seems to rain just about every afternoon…but it does not get rid of the smoke which keeps pouring in from the west.
