November 28 Colorado ,Estes Park observations

Once landed and through Denvers excellent airport Emma and I both had head aches that wrapped around the lower back of our head . Coincidence maybe ,but we suspect it may have something to do with Denvers elevation . They call it the mile high city for it is in fact 1600 feet above sea level. The longest ever recorded professional home run was hit here . The little circuit I did at the gym the following morning soon had me strung out as I was reaching for more oxygen .Tex suffered from a headache the next day which was alleviated with soft drink .The city is a lot like Melbourne but the surrounding suburbs were anything but. Denver sits on a large plane surrounded by mountain ranges . It’s nearly winter and what very few trees stood have dropped their leaves . It’s flat all the way to the distant mountain ranges , with a cold grey sky it looks bleak . I couldn’t live here , not green enough.At least not the green I’m looking for.That’s probably not fair as this place is prospering , our Uber driver tells us that 10, O00 people a month are moving here .The legalisation of marajuana has made this place the forefront of the industry , in turn people are moving here to ride the marajuana entrepreneurial wave.Its staggering the diversity that this little plant produces and this place will wring every last drop out of it .Its not LA , the roads are a lot better and they enforce road rules similar to Australia.Speed cameras , signage enforcing penalties and even breath testing busses. Construction is booming and it looked the modern methods used back home were prevalent. Yes , even caulking was a common sight .The drive into Estes Park took us along a ravine with a river at the bottom . The houses built in amongst the pine and rock were timber log style and all sizes . What really had me wondering was the shacks and cabins hidden in the woods that you just caught a glimpse of.Are these the type of folk that live off the grid ? Here in America this feels accepted , it s better than the shockingly high levels of homeless . Even Denver had a lot more than I expected . We saw a woman with her kids begging and a lot are war veterans . The winter must be savage for some .Estes Park opens up at the end of the ravine , exposing a small town sitting at the end of a lake surrounded my boulder covered mountains . Behind the town , the rugged snow capped Rocky Mountains . I never new the movie The Shining was filmed here until we stumbled upon The Stanley Hotel . A beautiful old world hotel that ran a shiver down your spine.It’s not it’s fault as Dumb and Dumber was also filmed here .The mountains behind this quaint tourist town is where the real attraction waits . The town is busy , always busy I’m told , for it thrives on the tourist dollar .Trekking in to the foothill of The Rocky Mountains bring its rewards .Words and photos don’t do it justice . Sometimes the tracks reminded of a fairytale, with the dense wood closing over the top of you , opening up onto the frozen Bear Lake and Elberta Falls . We walked for miles with our hired hiking boots and spikes ( Emma made us hire them , and of course she was right ) .We went home and slept well with the assistance of some of those special nectars . Goodbye Colorado , it was worth it .