jonesin' for a roadtrip 3
Well, it's time for me to hit the road again. I'm getting bogged down at work again, and it'll help me out if I take off and clear my mind. This is a big trip, and it'll be a bit before we hit home again. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the pictures!
Northwest from Boulder. Sounds like a country song to me.
Well, we're through Boulder now. US 36 takes a northern route along the Front Range for a bit then turns northwest again. Methinks we'll do that, too.
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We're traveling through some sparsely populated area (for now), so it's best to watch for wildlife. Also watch for discarded kegs and togas.
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See? Told ya. North-traveling route with not much out here. Hard to believe we're still along Colorado's Front Range.
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Is it pronounced Knee-bow (like bow and arrow) or Neb (like Nebraska)-ooh?
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A split for no real apparaent reason other than to make a subdivision seem important.
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The subdivision's road is called Lefthand. That's it: no road, lane, or anything. Where the Road part was on the warning sign a few paces back has been covered up. It's just Lefthand. Odd.
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And on a clear day, this view is that much more impressive.
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Approaching SH 66. This is where US 36 starts to head west again.
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Ignoring the "666" reference, we see the END! of SH 66.
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Closer to the intersection. Straight ahead only lies some minor residential streets.
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Looking east down the first few feet of SH 66. The distance marker behind the shield sez: Longmont 11/Platteville (the eastern end of the highway) 26.
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Yeah, I know it's blurry, but I couldn't miss the chance to post a "Four One Lane Bridge" sign. Whaa?
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US 36 is five fast lanes from that intersection into Lyons.
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Speaking of Lyons, here we are!
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Lyons rests at the base of that bluff. Spiffy, eh?
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And like that! the speed limit drops. Fast. Lyons PD makes some good ching off of us poor fellas, I tells ya.
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I know better than to get a ticket. I like my insurance at $33/month, thank you very much.
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We've all heard of the Comrade's Sine Salad, but here's a version of it I like to call "Arrows Appetizer™." Take one of those and chew on it while your salad is prepared.
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So SH 7, which has been and has not been following along with us since Boulder depending on who you ask, veers off to the left just after Beautiful Downtown Lyons. That's another way to get to Estes Park. Longer, yes. More scenic? Depends. And, we'll throw a sign goof in there, too: It's "Allenspark" not "Allens Park."
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Distance sign to our next stop. There's not much of US 36 after that, so it's not worth mentioning.
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High speed mountain driving. Let's see what the r-dub-mobile is up for.
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Intersections are spotty through the canyon. I'm pointing this one out because...
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...of this really cool bridge over the creek next to the road. Wooden trusses are our friends.
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More pulling out action is possible for the next 17 miles. And no, the bicyclist in the background isn't about to head on the SUV. Although that would be kinda funny to see.
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Rocks, trees, and empty roads. Quite liberating.
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And if the previous picture doesn't relax you, stop here and drink and soak in the scenery. I haven't tried this winery yet, but Colorado does have some fantastic vineyards throughout the state. My three favorites (although I haven't gotten the chance to try all of them yet) are Canyon Wind Cellars, Plum Creek Winery, and Meadery of the Rockies. Hmmm. Now I want wine. Looks like another roadtrip in the making! :)
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Look in the weeds behind the sign. Looks like CDOT wasn't the first to advertise the upcoming driveway.
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Climbing along a ridge.
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A passing lane! Just in time for me to pass the RV! Thanks, CDOT!
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And just in case I didn't make it around the RV, there's another chance. And if you're interested, there's some rocks for sale, too.
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Coming up on the little enclave of Pinewood Springs.
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Cheap sign. Can't stand up on its own.
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Coming up on Estes Park. Can't see the town from here, but I'd recognize those mountains anywhere.
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The sign points the way. Well, kinda. It's a drop to Estes, not an uphill.
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Estes Park lies in a bowl-shaped valley (an old caldera, maybe?). We've descended into it.
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Packed with places to practice the perfection of placating your pressures, Estes exudes enjoyment of the enth variety.
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Lake Estes lies on one side of the valley. US 36 bisects it.
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Entering Estes Park proper.
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Trail Ridge Road is up there somewhere. That's our destination. Hope it isn't snowing!
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Remember SH 7? Yeah, that state highway we've intersected twice? Well, it's baaaaaaaaaack!
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No, US 34 doesn't start here. That should have a TO placard up there somewhere.
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Coming up on US 34 with a JCT card incorrectly placed.
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Pay close attention to this sign if you want to be misled. Actually, Bus 34 and US 36 turn left. US 34 is right and straight, and I've also seen Bus 36 head straight, but I don't think that's signed anymore.
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Downtown Estes Park. This is a great city. It's my #1 place in the state where I'd like to live.
- Where to next?
- Page 5
- This trip's Index
- Page 7
Section Links
- Trip Index
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- Page 13
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of the orginizations listed within this site. I'm just a bored roadgeek with way too much time on his hands. All of the picts in this page are mine and mine alone unless otherwise noted. Remember, kids: stealing is bad, mmmm-k? I get quite pissy if things are taken without telling me. I don't like to be pissy. You won't like it either. If you want to link to this page, that's fine. Please shoot me an email beforehand so I can link to your page as well. K? Thanks. --Ryan
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