Moore Fun in Estes Park, Colorado September 2010

Estes Park, Colorado is one of our favorite spots to visit.  It's only 45 minutes away from home, but it is a resort town in the mountains.  People come from all over the world to visit there.  This is the time of year for the elk bugling.  We got to see a big herd with a very protective male.  He bugled a couple of times to keep the onlooking males away.  This little female tried to make a break and he chased her right back to the herd.

It was a beautiful fall day in the Rocky Mountains.  We got to see some colorful trees and shrubs. We decided to all ride up in Paul and Joni's car so that they wouldn't have to pay to get into the national park.  Mike gets in free with his Golden Age card so it would have been free for all of us in one car. It turned out to be a free day in the park!  It was still more fun crowding into one car and all being together than driving separately. 

We decided since we had Ellie along not to take a very strenuous hike so we went to the Aleuvial Fan.  It's a short hike to a beautiful waterfall.  These pictures show what a gorgeous day it was to be in a wonderful place.

At this point, we were getting hungry!  We headed into town for some vittles.

But first....Joni and Hannah had to buy these awesome tourist shirts!  It was so funny watching them pick them out.  

All tuckered out and ready for some yummy food.  We had a good lunch at a local restaurant and then got dessert at Laura's Fudge Shop.  We try to go to Laura's every time we go to Estes Park.  We love the fudge, the caramel apples, and the ice cream!

Ellie had a great time and was such a good sport!  It was a  very fun day in the Rocky Mountains!