A little light in the Rockies

/ July 29, 2015

There’s an interesting relationship in Estes Park between the sun and the Rocky Mountains.

We found out during my dear wife Karen’s Family Reunion in this little village at the foot of Rocky Mountain National Park.

So, in this parade of pictures and posts that will continue daily from the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Syracuse now that we’re home safe and sound from that spectacular five-day event that brought all five Miner siblings back together for the first time since 1986, I’ll bring you some fun and some beauty of nighttime in Estes Park.

On our arrival Thursday, we all headed down to the major block where all the tourists hang out. After a dinner at a joint named Local’s that was heavy on talk and catch-up, we retreated to an outdoor bar with wood tables and hanging lights for a couple hours of reverie. Things were looking up.

Night falls in Estes Park.

Night falls in Estes Park.

They served local craft beers and wines. The waitress was incredibly slow, and upon return to the table and another look at the menu, I figured out the guy behind the bar short-changed me two bucks for Karen’s local pilsener and my red wine.

Moon and lights.

Moon and lights.

Yet it gave us a good place for the siblings to get reaquainted, everybody else to meet and warm up, and for me to get a shot of the moon between their overhead lighting.

Shop for T-shorts and more during the day.
Watch for traffic as you shop.

Click on any gallery photo for a description. Click on the right photo for an enlarged slide show.

We also discovered that except for this courtyard, the old cliche that they pulled in the sidewalks at 10 p.m. seemed to hold true in Estes Park.

Saturday we booked a Wild Ride in a 14-seat jeep up into the park. That will get its own entry later, folks.

Sundown in the clouds.

Sundown in the clouds.

Merely marvelous.

Merely marvelous.

The sun as it played with the mountains on its way down up there was wonderful, indeed.

On our final night, we took a two-car caravan up as high as we’re allowed to drive in our National Park. Yes, more to come on that in this series.

Last slip of light.

Last slip of light.

The sun hung on forever as we waited for the stars to appear so close to the sky.

Our sky.

Our sky.

And the bright moon allowed my iPhone 6 to catch one shining star alongside it.

Tomorrow: The place for Redrum

Thursday: Up the mountain on foot and by jeep

Where is your favorite place to watch the sun set, and why? What’s the best sunset you’ve ever seen, and why? Which is your favorite photo, and why?

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59 thoughts on “A little light in the Rockies”

    • That spot at the top of the peak is a tough drive to get to, Beth, but worth the twists and turns! George Three took the wheel, and I sure was glad. I’m going to write a whole installment with a lot of photos later in the series. You would love it here. ❤

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  7. I like the photo of the touristy place at night 🙂 I think that looks like my kinda place!
    I’m looking forward to the Redrum of it. It’s been a lonnnnng time since I was there!

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  8. It’s a toss-up between the first one and the one with “stores.” The soft glow of inside light with twilight in the background is hard to beat. But I love me some dangling outdoor Christmas lights, too!

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  13. Used to live up at around 8,000 feet just north of Colorado Springs. The sun would set so fast once it slipped behind the mountains. I love all of the photos. Can’t wait to see the post about “The Stanley”. Agree with Cheryl – Key West sunsets are glorious.

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    • I know from your comments and posts that you’ve lived in — and loved — Colorado, S.D. I thought of that as we drove different routes between Denver and Estes Park to get a feel of that part of the state! And, yes, Key West sunsets are wonderful, and quite different than up in the mountains. 🙂

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  14. One of loveliest most vibrant sunset is in Key West Florida at Mallory Point. (Sometimes referred to as Mallory Square). A must see for everyone! Spectacular sunsets. Every evening I walk our beach at sunset, the hues of colors vary each night and I have to say it is my favorite time of every day. The outdoor bar pic reminds me of so many beachside hangouts here (minus the Ocean a trade off for the Mountains). Did you get your $2 BUCKO’S back Terp?!?!? The Gatorette. Glad you are back home safe…

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    • Great call on Key West’s Mallory Square, Gatorette. Yes, I’ve been, and I’ve applauded the sunset with a thousand other folks and gotten goosies from the experience. Brilliant!

      No, I didn’t bother going back up to haggle for my two bucks. I just griped to Karen and Elisabeth and George Three about it.

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  16. I love that last slip of light. It has a lot of mood to it. I can think of a million stories to go with that picture. Isn’t is cool how difference locations/atmospheres have different light? I swear you could transport me in my sleep to a different location every night and I could tell you in the morning where I was by the type of light in the sky. Growing up in the NE we had those dark blue skies but it wasn’t until I moved out west that I learned what they meant when they said “big sky” country and it is true. Can’t wait for the future installments MB.

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    • Yes, there is a different feel to the sky every place I’ve lived for sure, and that’s helped me pick up the nuances more quickly during visits, DE. You sure got that right about “big sky country” in regard to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

      I’m glad you’ve liked my Thin Air Series work so far. I’ve got a lot of photos piled up in the iPad, my friend. I hope they please your studied eye and tickle playful soul, both, my friend. Now I’m off to catch up with your always cool photos and thought-provoking haiku. ❤

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    • It was comforting to wake up in the Little Bitty because Ellie B needed to be let out in the backyard, Diana! But the time in the mountains did me much good, my dear friend. ❤ I wlll be over to visit your Calgary place momentarily. 🙂

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  20. I never get tired of sunrises and sunsets. Each one is lovely and unique.
    I wonder if that is a planet under the moon there

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  21. Beautiful Mark. I’m not sure why but in your night shy with moon – I can see at least forty (40) stars. They are dim but they are there.

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