Eisenhower Tunnel – Live Laugh RV

Moving on!

July 19, 2013by Ingrid48 Comments

We bid farewell to our daughter and point the RV west. Shortly after turning onto Interstate 70, we feel the slight climb in elevation starting. No surprise since we need to go from Denver’s elevation of 5,280 feet (the mile high city) to the Eisenhower Tunnel (the summit) at 11,158 feet. We have to cross the Continental Divide somehow.

Eisenhower tunnel — Entering the Eisenhower Tunnel

This steady climb accompanied by plenty of turns, proves to be a challenge for some vehicles. The loaded down semi-trucks, vehicles pulling trailers, and other vehicles not used to the thin air struggle to maintain any speed in excess of 30 miles per hour as they trudge up the mountains in the right hand lane. I envision a little train engine and hear a voice…..”I think I can, I think I can, I think I can……” as they struggle to cross the Rocky Mountains.

Now the Mario Andretti wanna be’s in the left hand lane are another story. They’re whizzing up the mountain in excess of 80 mph hugging the turns and enjoying the challenging drive. It’s best to get out of their way!

Rocky Mountains — Approaching the Eisenhower tunnel

Al and I opt to sit in the center lane (as long as we have three lanes ) driving at a steady speed of 65 mph…..the speed limit…. I believe, through this stretch of interstate anyway. It’ll pop up to 75 mph down the road a ways. The F-250 pulls the 5th wheel over Loveland Pass without any trouble. The Eisenhower Tunnel – Loveland Pass marks the first of two mountain passes we’ll encounter today. You can click here for more information on the tunnel. At Vail Pass we’ll encounter another climb and summit.

When we exit the tunnel, we are greeted with a gorgeous view and a downhill drive. There are several ‘runaway truck ramps’ along this stretch of interstate 70. We take our time going down the mountain and stay in the right hand lane. Within about 10 to 15 minutes of exiting the tunnel and after the Dillon exit, is a scenic overlook worth a stop.

Lake Dillon scenic overlook…..westbound on interstate 70

When we moved from Chicago to Las Vegas, our daughter was a mere 3 years of age. This view made an indelible impression on that little girl, to the point she would regularly say, “When I a big girl, I move to mountains”. And move she did. I don’t see that girl leaving Colorado anytime soon.

Traffic is light today and we don’t encounter any construction delays on our three hour drive to Glenwood Springs. I enjoy the drive through Glenwood Canyon. I once again marvel at the construction of this stretch of interstate 70 and savor the beauty of my surroundings. I’ve written about this stretch of road before, click here.

Glenwood Canyon – Interstate 70 west bound

Once we get to Glenwood Springs, we head south on Highway 82. Al found us a private property on line to spend a couple of nights. But did he get directions? Nope, just google mapped it. So we drive around some back country roads in search of the property before finally calling the owner. Gosh, we were close….very close actually. The address was slightly off making it impossible to find on google maps. We did pretty good, considering. Yep, a few pats on the back for both of us and Al gets a special pat for being able to turn the rig around in some rather tight spots. We drove up the road a ways, then back down, then back up….you get the picture!

Once we finally find the right spot, we get settled in. We’re pretty pleased with our little “home” for the next two nights.

The next day we take the scenic drive down Highway 82 from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. It’s been twenty-five years since I last visited this area in Colorado. I wonder, will I be in awe as much as I was all those years ago?…….. Al and I were celebrating our five year wedding anniversary with a trip to Colorado. We flew from Chicago to Denver and rented a car to take in the sights of Colorado. The only other time I had seen the Rocky Mountains was on a road trip Al and I took earlier in our relationship.

Aspen is a beautiful mountain town. However, after calling Colorado “home” for the past eighteen years, I’m not wowed. I guess I’ve been fortunate to see some pretty spectacular scenery. Aspen is missing the vast, open vistas seen in other places. The traffic is congested and parking is difficult. We did enjoy the abundance of outdoor cafes and the beautiful flowers everywhere.

Twenty-five years ago, we took the gondola to the top of the mountain. As a flatlander, this was a very memorable experience. At that time in our lives, we didn’t understand Colorado weather and the regular afternoon thunderstorms that roll in. Lightening is serious business around here and once lightening is spotted, all outdoor activities come to a screeching halt. Al and I had no sooner purchased a hot dog and drink to enjoy atop of this stunning mountain, when we were asked to leave. The mountain top was shutting down due to weather. Really?

This time around, Al and I are a ~~little~~ lot wiser. Al and I are on the fence about taking the gondola to the top, but with storm clouds in the distance and a price of $28 per person, we decide to take a pass. Smart move on our part as the storm starting rolling in thirty minutes later.

Although our time in this area is over, I would definitely like to return and explore the backcountry near Snowmass. I’ll be doing some research. Any recommendations on the area and the Maroon Bells is welcome. Next stop, Grand Junction.

Colorado

Hubby wins !

September 3, 2012August 27, 2012by Ingrid14 Comments

As Al and I enjoy a leisurely lunch on the outdoor patio at Grappa Bistro in downtown Golden, we discuss a new location. Although I am in love with Golden, Colorado, it’s time to move on…..move on to cooler temps. I suggest Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s August 20th and the tourist season is winding down. So I feel confident we’ll have no trouble finding a camp spot. Besides, it should only take us about an hour and a half at the most to get to Estes Park.

Al has other thoughts. He suggests Steamboat Springs and the campground at Steamboat Lake. We return to the RV and he presents me with information on Steamboat Springs and the surrounding area. It’s been almost fourteen years since our last visit to Steamboat. Al, the consummate gentleman, always acquiesces to my whims. Perhaps it’s time I agree to his……nah, I allow him to plead his case and pry me with champagne and chocolate before submitting….”you win”. I’m kidding, no champagne was needed. I really didn’t care where in Colorado we went, but it was fun playing with hubby.

Golden Colorado — Al taking care of ‘business’

We say our good-byes to daughter and the next morning we depart Golden and head west on Interstate 70. We’ll need to cross the Continental Divide twice. Our first summit is Loveland Pass at 11,158 feet above sea level. We drive through the famous Eisenhower Tunnel. This tunnel is the highest vehicle tunnel in the United States and is approximately 1.7 miles in length. The Eisenhower Tunnel is located 50 miles west of Denver.

I have no photos because I’m busy being a ~~back seat driver~~ co-pilot. As we exit the tunnel we are graced with the most gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains. However, what goes up, must come down. We decrease in elevation with a series of turns….first left, then right. Al downshifts the truck transmission to keep from riding the brake. That’s ok because I’m pushing down hard on my imaginary brake on the passenger side and gripping the “ah sh*t” handle until my knuckles turn white. I’m very used to mountain driving and don’t usually stress, but we’re pulling 31 feet and can’t take the turns like a normal vehicle. We also don’t have the ability to stop as quickly.

Whew, one pass behind us. At the towns of Dillon and Silverthorne, we head north on Highway 9 and eventually pick up Highway 40 in the town of Kremmling. We’re heading toward the northwest part of the State of Colorado. Rabbit Ears Pass is our next Continental Divide crossing at an elevation of 9426 feet. This pass is long and more gradual. No white knuckles necessary!

We arrive in the town of Steamboat Springs in time for lunch. We manage to find parking and a rustic, quaint restaurant where we devour a couple of Buffalo Burgers before heading north on County Road 129, twenty-six miles to Steamboat Lake.

We arrive at Steamboat Lake State Park and set up camp on Bridge Island; a less popular loop without electric that sits on a peninsula. We have a private spot in paradise. We spend the rest of the evening relaxing and taking in the beauty……

Colorado

Daughter and I visit Rocky Mtn National Park

June 20, 2012October 16, 2014by Ingrid13 Comments

A year and a half after Al and I celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary in Rocky Mountain National Park, I found myself once again suffering from altitude sickness. No wait. We were living in a Chicago suburb with a mere altitude of about 600 feet. Oops, that time my dizziness and nausea was not due to the altitude, but due to pregnancy; planned and wanted, I might add. And what a beautiful baby she was!

: Daughter – Rocky Mtn National Park

When my daughter was three, we moved cross-country to Las Vegas, Nevada. It was during this drive west, we stopped at a scenic overlook in Colorado. Numerous tunnels are met when traversing Interstate 70. The longest and most known is the Eisenhower Tunnel at Loveland Pass, elevation 11,990. When traveling westbound on I-70, the moment you exit the Eisenhower Tunnel, you are greeted with the most spectacular “Colorado” mountain scene, and it only gets better. After the tunnel but prior to the Frisco exit is a scenic overlook….overlooking Dillion Reservoir and the Continental Divide. This scenic overlook is a MUST stop when traveling westbound (not eastbound). It was at this point, daughter informed us, “I move to mountains when I big girl”. At the age of three, she was so taken by the view that it left an indelible impression upon her. And move she did! When she was eight years old, we moved to Colorado Springs. This move made daughter very, very happy, even though she was leaving friends behind. Daughter loves living in Colorado. Over the years, she and I have been known to hop in the vehicle and explore our local Colorado attractions. Mid July a few years ago, she and I visited Rocky Mountain National Park. We chose to go ‘the back way’. We took I-70 west, headed north on Hwy 40, and spent the night in Winter Park. From Winter Park we continued north on Hwy 40 to Granby. At Granby we headed northeast on Hwy 34 toward Rocky Mountain National Park. A stop in the small town of Grand Lake, just before the park, is a must. Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915 and encompasses approximately 415 square miles. The Park is home to more than 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 feet in elevation. Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its majestic mountain peaks, dense forests, rushing mountain waters, delicate mountain flowers, clear lakes, and plenty of wildlife. Daughter and I continued driving on Hwy 34 which turns into Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is one of America’s top ten byways. As you travel and gain in elevation, the landscape changes from trees and meadows to alpine tundra. Although the tundra is too harsh for trees and appears barren at first glance, the tundra is abundant with an array of delicate vegetation.

100_0686-001 — Daughter as we hike trail near Alpine Visitor Center – folks resting along trail

The Alpine Visitor Center is at an elevation of about 12,000 feet. Even the fittest of persons seem to get breathless at this altitude. There’s a large gift shop, restrooms, and snack area, as well as a nearby hiking trail. Daughter and I have spent the past fifteen years living at 5000+ feet in elevation and are not as easily winded as most of the visitors. We take the nearby hike to a scenic view-point…. Huffer’s Hill trail is aptly named. Many tourists can’t seem to catch their breath and return to the parking lot. Daughter and I walked a steady pace and passed others winded. Hey, no altitude sickness for this ‘ol’ gal. Could it be, I’m no longer a “flatlander”? I even outpaced some high schoolers 🙂

100_0691 — Daughter heading back to the Alpine Visitor Center parking lot

Although Daughter and I were glad we did the short hike, similar scenes can be eyed from easier viewpoints. Be sure and keep a sweatshirt or jacket handy during your explorations at Rocky Mountain National Park. Weather can and will change swiftly. Sunny, summer mornings are often frequented by formidable afternoon storms, complete with high winds and lightning. So be sure and keep an eye on the sky for severe weather. If you start your day early, you’ll have a better chance of seeing wildlife and do more activities prior to the storms rolling in in the afternoon….hike early and be off the trails before lightning strikes. Happy Travels!