Trillcation: Utah To Colorado 2020 Day 7

Sunday, August 30 (MDT):

7:30 AM – Coffee and Cinnamon Rolls at Cinnamon’s Bakery

3:00 PM – Enter Rocky Mountain National Park to drive Trail Ridge Road

4:00 PM – Arrive at Alpine Visitor Center

5:30 PM – Arrive at Grand Lake, [Packed] Picnic

7:30 PM – Arrive back at Estes Park

So after Saturday, which was our finale and the only thing on the the agenda for the next day and a half was to relax. We scheduled early morning massages which fell through when an emergency came up for the masseuse, but not even a big deal. Again, we made plans, they fell through, you move on. Luckily, there is a very popular, very good cinnamon roll shop (Cinnamon’s Bakery) a short walk from the house and we know they sell out quickly, so we hopped out of bed in a daze, got in the car to get there before they sell out around 6:45 AM only to bust through the doors, scare the employees and were told that they don’t open until 7:30 PM (oops!). That provided a good laugh and a lot of apologies for barging in before they were open.

We went back to the house, collected ourselves and then decided to walk there instead. We were third in line right at 7:30 AM on a Sunday and then at least 15 people lined up behind us. I suggest getting the classic cinnamon roll always no matter what (light icing unless you’re a sugar monster) and we were happy with the fruit of the day selection which was raspberry. We had their other permanent on the menu flavors last time, and they’re all good. It’s a staple in Estes Park, so you must go! Early, but not too early.

Just to cover our asses, I reserved a 3 PM reservation for Sunday and a 12 PM reservation into Rocky Mountain National Park for Monday, in the event we wanted to go back. We decided we definitely did on Sunday because the last trip was kind of a blur and I was in a weird headspace during that time in my life, so I needed a refresher of the park.

We opted to take Trail Ridge Road which is curvy and beautiful and to take on the mini hike at the Alpine Visitor Center. It is 1 mile in and out, worth every windy second, and took us no time to complete. Although I have to admit that the altitude is something to get used to and during the climb up, there were times I couldn’t catch my breath and had to actively tell myself to slow down my breathing so I don’t pass out. But other than that, it was easy peesy.

We were well ahead of time of catching the sunset so we ventured to the West side of the park which is less trafficked and you’re more likely to see wildlife. It lived up to its promise considering we saw a ram, moose, and coyote. Some trailheads were closed due to the wildfires and since it was still fairly early, we went ahead and drove all the way to Grand Lake which is right outside of the park, and a grand lake it is. We packed a picnic because we figured we could just stop anywhere to eat it within the park (so many picnic tables and vistas), and enjoyed it lakeside right before the rain rolled in. When I say that Buddha blessed this trip, he really worked his magic.

We entered the park at our designated time of 3 PM, drove the whole park, left it at around 6 PM, then returned thinking a ranger wouldn’t be on duty but they were. Once we showed them our reservation, they just let us back in. So the theory of being able to return is correct, or that ranger was really nice (which they usually are). I have to say that everyone we encountered the whole trip, especially in and around the national parks, were exceptionally kind and considerate. For the most part, everyone adhered to social distancing and wearing masks when required and recommended. I know that traveling during this time is a little squirrely, and it does not mean that we take the virus lightly. I think it’s a matter of taking it very seriously, but also being able to go out in the world when possible. Well, the world that accepts Americans, so America.

Like we did all of the days before, we got back to the house early and passed out. We slept all through the night on this trip and it felt really good. Checkout was 11 AM (the vacation home is a family’s vacation home but they do rent it out when they are not there) so we stayed until then and then headed towards Denver because that was our departure airport.