Last Monday we took Bella to her second FastCAT competition, where she had fun and sort of understood the goal!

Since we were up there, we did decide to drive around Estes Park a little bit. We drove by the Stanley Hotel, but it was mostly blocked off for something, so didn't linger. We'd also hoped to maybe see some elk, but no luck there either.


Coming into town. (You can see the Stanley there, over on the left.)

It was an absolutely beautiful day. I don't remember the last time we had a fall this pleasant and long. It was warm and sunny, but not hot. Absolutely perfect for being outside.

We drove up through some of the "old town" area, which is lined with touristy shops. We obviously had Bella with us, so we didn't go inside anywhere, but it was nice just to be out and enjoying the weather.

We did end up getting ice cream, which was from a shop that was also attached to a taffy store. There were like, three or four shops making and selling taffy, which is more than I would have expected, frankly.


Alex lifted Bella up to look at the taffy machine, but she wasn't terribly impressed, lol.

(Though several passersby were impressed by how cute she was, which she enjoyed much more.)

We sat and ate our ice cream (I got black raspberry, which was delicious; Alex got strawberry cheesecake.)


I spotted a cute moth on some flowers in front of another building.




Some fall colors!

I'd heard that most of the mountain colors (which were evidently very spectacular this year) were done, but there was still quite a bit, which was really nice!


The very goth tree. I can't remember the kind, but the leaves are so dark they're near black, but the light coming through them is a bright garnet.


Loved this pub sign. Griffins (or gryphons as I usually opt to spell it) are my favorite mythical creature.
There was also a cafe called "Griffin's Roost" up above the pub. I wish we'd gone in, but for some reason didn't decide to.


I really liked the little moth. "Just" a plain grey-brown one, but actually with so many colors and patterns in its wings!


Such fuzzy legs!

Definitely a beautiful day, and I'm glad we got to spend it out!