Day 9 - RMNP - Eastin Hotel
We caught up with Cat at breakfast and gave her Patti's 1K2Day form and also shared some ideas we had for challenges next year.
Jodi flagged me for the Bike Blessing about 9. It was drizzling and cold. Patti was already on her way to Arches NP in Utah. I was nearly packed and just jumped on Cherise, barefeet and all. Rather than hear crap about it, Jodi exclaimed there was someone other than her to do it!
The weather was better by time Skye was finished packing. As she was wiping her bike down, one of the other women commented, "You know, it's just going to get dirty again." Skye's reply was "It's not about making her pretty. It's about checking her over for loose parts and problems." took her by surprize. It amazes me how many riders don't know that simple precaution!
It was cold, with spots of rain, as we traversed the Peak-to Peak Highway on our way to Estes Park. The sky was clear over the mountain so we got fuel and a quick stop at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, where we were erroneously told there was no toll for driving Trail Ridge Road. $20 per motorcycle! Skye was ready to turn around when the ranger let us know two people could sign the annual National Parks Pass and it would cover both motorcycles (and their passengers). Given that we planned to visit several more parks during the week, $80 for a pass was a bargain! Plus it would cover us for the next 12 months as we worked on the Women in the Wind National Parks Challenge.
At Alpine Visitor Center, we wanted to get photos of the bikes in front of the elevation sign. Although the parking lot was full and the ranger was not allowing any more traffic in, he was beligerent when we stopped near the sign. He could have easily directed us to the parking spot behind his vehicle, where we were ultimately able to get a photo on our way out (dfferent ranger). We filed a complaint about the first ranger's attitude, which was misinterpreted as a complaint about not getting a photograph. I hope he was just having a bad day. He upset ours, and we kept our visit short so we could put it behind us.
The ladies at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center were as nice as the ranger at Alpine had been rude! They were really sweet and we talked a good while as we considered possible gifts for Deuce's birthday.
We were starving! Grand Lake is a quaint little mountain town, if a bit touristy. After a nice dinner we made our way on to Hot Sulfur Springs. We had planned to camp at Pioneer Park, but the only sites open were clearly marked "for day use only". All the local hotels were also full. On we went until we reached Kremmling. It was already dark and a Super 8 was the first place we saw. They wanted $100! We asked if there was a less expensive place in town, and they directed us to the Hotel Eastin. It is an old hotel/boarding house. All the boarding rooms were filled, so we took a regular room with a private bath for $77. Mary Ann and Walt welcomed us as if into their home. The place was wonderful!