11/11/2009

My oldest son, AJ is now in High School in Estes Park. He is a trumpet player in the band, following in my footsteps. Marching season is over, and that means it is time for Jazz Band rehearsal BEFORE school...at 7AM. A little early for this former bartending Realtor who really liked working, staying up and getting up a little later...but this was my reward! (We really do have incredible skies here at 7522 feet above sea level...) Happy Tuesday! 11/10/2009

Greetings! I was painting my son's room this weekend, and as I put the last coat of color on the walls with a roller, it occured to me that the process was a bit the same as selling real estate.  The more prep-work you do..spackling, sanding and priming, the better the finished product will be. That last coat is like the closing...so rewarding to complete a transaction and hand over keys...and the culmination of a LOT of prep work! Oh yes, and if you are planning to sell your home DO NOT use either of these colors on your walls. 11/09/2009

Save the date... The Oratorio Society of Estes Park will perform their annual Holiday Concert featuring "The Magnificat" by John Rutter... Click on OratorioSocietyofEstesPark.com for all the details! 11/08/2009

I was next door visiting my Beautiful Bride at her Hallmark store when one of her customers said "you have to come outside and see this".   I'm sure that some of you get kind of tired of the sunrise and sunset pictures. When you live here however you never tire of seeing the wonders of the mountains.  The exciting thing for me is that rich or poor, young or old the price is the same.  You just have to stop for a moment. Have a great weekend 11/07/2009

Third time's a charm.  The Estes Park and Estes Valley fire district finally passed voters approval.  Carolyn Dietz is pictured doing a "Victory Dance" on the roof of her home in the Big Thompson Canyon.  Carolyn is removing the sign that she had on the side of her home in support of the Fire District. When Gerald Mayo was talking to Carolyn this morning she thought that a week was long enough to "Gloat" and it was probably time to take the sign down.  Congratulations to all who live outside the town of Estes Park that now have fire protection. 11/06/2009

Wordless Wednesday.... 11/04/2009

Greetings! It's been a busy fall here in Estes with school activities, fundraisers and family!  I was proud to be a part of the Estes Park High School Marching Band's season this year. My son, AJ, is now a freshman trumpet player, now I'm a "Band Booster" secretary and "Pit Crew" member. The half time show this year was "Little Shop of Horrors" featuring our 45 member band, 2 drum majors and 3 flag corp members. We are the smallest of the 2A schools in Colorado with a competitive marching band, and for the last 14 years, director Chuck Varilek has taken the kids to the finals of the Colorado Bandmaster State Championship. Last Monday night, the kids tied for the bronze medal...we were all very proud! Click on EstesParkHSBand.com for the press release and photos! 11/03/2009

Estes Park Downtown Merchants had another successful Halloween.  The fire is out, the snow melted, the wind died down and temperatures were at 50 degrees for the monsters about town.  The Estes Park Police Department blocks off the streets on Elkhorn Avenue to traffic so the Ghosts, Goblins, Witches, and other various creatures. Estes Park Downtown Merchants have been taking care of the Trick or Treat crowd in Estes Park for years.  It makes a very safe Halloween for both adults and children.  It has been a family tradition here longer than I can remember.  The adults and children both dress in costume with the merchants providing the candy. Colorado Homestead had a dancing "Cowboy" in their front window that grew a constant crowd. 11/01/2009

Many of you have spent as few moments with me by Starbucks downtown by the river.  Sitting peacefully outside by the river, looking at the views, watching the people and just letting the world go by as the sound of the river steadily percolates along.  It's very relaxing listening to that river, and looking at those mountains. The scenery has changed.  If you wanted to enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink by the river this morning, there would be no worrying about getting a table.  The tourists are a little scarce during the middle of the week now.  I'm  sure we will see a significant surge for Halloween weekend.  The weather is supposed to warm up, and be just wonderful for the "Trick or Treators'". 10/29/2009

Lyons Colorado is busy replacing the entire street that runs through "Old Town" Lyons.  During the off season for Lyons down town business district contractors are busy removing the old street, replacing infrastructure, and will eventually replace the street running through the old downtown business district. 10/27/2009

Those in the know about Estes Park make several trips to adjacent Glen Haven every year.  The main reason for the trip is the famous Glen Haven General Store Cinnamon Rolls. Going to the Glen Haven General Store is like going back in time.  Where else can you get coffee for a quarter, and a cinnamon role like your grandmother used to make.  These are the best cinnamon rolls that you will ever wrap your mouth around.   If you are hankerin for one of those cinnamon rolls you better get it this weekend because the store is closing for the season 10/23/2009

Exciting news in Estes Park.  Not only was the Historic Park Theatre spared, but so was Tom DeLeo's famous Deli adjacent to the theatre.  Speaking with Tom this evening, he said that they had spent the last few days cleaning the Deli, and that the Health Department had cleared them to "Open" tomorrow. 10/22/2009

Fire was reported at the Historic Park Theatre Mall in Estes Park Colorado at approximately 6:20 AM this morning.  The firemen were able to save the Historic Park Theatre, but the mall itself which adjoins the theatre was a total loss.  Approximately 12 businesses resided within the mall and all were completely destroyed. This is the second time that downtown Estes Park has been given a tragic blow.  The entire downtown was previously destroyed by a flood when the Lawn Lake Dam failed.  You may check my blog for additional pictures of the fire at www.MrEstesPark.com . The community will pull together and be stronger because of it. 10/19/2009

This morning I wrote about what a terrific view I woke up to.  This evening I'm letting you know "It's a Wrap", morning to evening.  What a great day.  The weekend is supposed to be spectacular.  If you have the opportunity, this would be a terrific weekend to come up and see my town. 10/15/2009

07/08/2009

Greetings from Estes Park! Trail Ridge Road is finally open between Grand Lake and Estes Park. This road winds through Rocky Mountain National Park and goes  over an elevation of 11,000 feet above sea level. The road is open usually between Memorial Day and sometime in October when the snow piles back up again. We hopped in the car and drove to the top yesterday...it's always fun to see the snow cuts the road crew had to make to get the road open. Photos were taken, snowballs flew (with three boys...REALLY???) and we had a great time before it started to snow at the Visitor's Center on top. We also were reminded of how lucky we are to live in a place like this, there were visitors from all over the United States who were awestruck at the views that we have every day. 05/25/2009

Greetings from Estes Park! It's a stormy Memorial Day weekend in Estes Park, but that's not stopping real estate shoppers...there is a lot of activity on listings, and it is wonderful to see the buyers out and about and ready to make offers! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy those barbecues! 05/23/2009

Greetings from Estes Park! Here in Estes, we are dealing with a pest called a "Pine Beetle". The trees affected are Ponderosas and Lodgepoles. Under normal conditiions, a fire would wipe out the pest and sterilize the soil, making way for new, healthy trees and plant life. Since we have homes in the forest, fires have been suppressed, and Mother Nature has given us this little pest to accomplish the natural thinning of the forest. The photo below is from a tree that was hit with the beetle last summer. The "popcorn" on the outside of the bark is sap that the tree is using to flush out the bugs. This tree was about 300 years old, and had other health issues, and needed to be cut down yesterday before the beetles could mature and fly to another tree. We live on the edge of National Forest... 05/18/2009

Greetings from Estes Park! Our 21st Annual "Ducky Derby" was another huge success thanks to the Estes Park Rotarians and all the volunteers that came together to make it a fun event. Our Village Jazz Band played two sets and didn't get TOO cold, and the event raised over $118,000 for local organizations and charities. The photo below is the first little rubber ducky to cross the finish line! (Now I need to find out how my three ducks did in the race...) 05/04/2009