Okay - since you asked nicely, I'll post some pics from Estes.

Let me paint a picture for you: You've been through Boulder, traveling on Highway 36. It's taken you up through the mountains and you've seen a lot of people on bicycles chugging away on that road. You passed through Lyon's and managed not to stop for the Elk Jerky being advertised. The quick trip through the mountains yields some stunning photos of rock formations but you're itching to be there already.

As if by magic, your wish is granted. The mountains part before you. The road cuts a path down and through a lake on either side, lush and blue. Mountains provide a panorama on the horizon but Estes is laid out before you. You curve round and see just off in the distance, the snow white walls of the Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's "The Shining".

You pull off at the rest stop/visitor's center for a quick bathroom break. You see that they have a river walk that snakes through the area and leads you down a path to shops and restaurants so you decide to take it. Little did you expect to see Elk on that path... (as always, click the thumbnail to see a larger photo...)







They seem completely unbothered by your presence, frolicking in the water and having a good old time. To illustrate just how close we are, take a look at these two photos:





Yep - that's gileonnen and sun_huntress, respectively.

Amazed by this encounter, you move on at the behest of the local constabulary, who are trying (without much success) to move the small herd along. With newly purchased snacks and drinks in hand, you move along up the mountains and into Rocky Mountain National Park. It's more crowded than you would've liked, but that's okay - you're still having fun.

You come across a spot that's pretty well traveled but no less marvelous, so you decide to pull over and take a look. Here, you encounter some critters. First off, a Bird or two:



There were two birds and neither one had any fear whatsoever of humans. They got closer, and closer, and closer - it was amazing. Bother sun_huntress for some close up shots because we watched her take them.

Next, a little rock climbing and more critters.





As you can see, there were a few of them running around.



Eventually, you move along - more things to see. Suddenly, you encounter a bit of a traffic jam. Curious, you inch forward, wondering what could possibly cause a traffic jam way up here. Suddenly, you see them off to you right - ELK! A whole herd of em!!





Amazing! Again, bother gileonnen and sun_huntress for better photos as they weren't the one's driving at the time :)

Thrilled with this sighting, you continue on. What could possibly be more amazing than that?

Boy Elk.







Notice the guy in the back there looking all majestic...



You think to yourself, "What a way to end a trip!" as you scurry back down the mountains towards Grand Lake and your impending dinner. You can't help but think back at all the beauty and wonder that you have beheld...



~P