ESTES PARK, COLORADO

We just moved to Colorado earlier this year, so we explore our new state every chance we get. There is SO much to see and do here, it blows my mind! We just got back from Estes Park, CO, where we had a fantastic 4th (and 5th) of July. My Parents were here for a long weekend; after a Rockies game, a quick jaunt to the Royal Gorge, a trip up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and a 2-hour drive home which turned into about a 4-hour steep, mountainous (terrifying for me personally!) drive (thanks Husband), I feel like we have seen about half of gorgeous Colorado now! 

 { Downtown Estes Park }

 {The Stanley Hotel ~ Stephen King wrote "The Shining" here. 

Coolest hotel ever by the way! }

 { Dream Lake was our reward for a 2.2 mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park }

{ Waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park }

 { Shops at Downtown Estes Park }

 { Still plenty of snow at ~12,000 feet, up near the Continental Divide }

 { Elk at Rocky Mountain National Park }

Hard Work U

We are just getting back from a little family vacation to Branson, Missouri. A place I had been several times growing up, but was able to look at it with fresh eyes as an adult. Upon our arrival, my Parents took us to an intriguing place for lunch at College of the Ozarks. This unique college is situated on a 1,000 acre campus overlooking Lake Taneycomo in Point Lookout, MO. College of the Ozarks has an extremely unique concept among American colleges and universities. Here, not one student pays for their education, rather they work for it. All students--totalling around 1,400--work 15 hours a week at campus jobs at one of the 80 plus work areas on campus (including culinary staff, agriculture, office staff, etc.).

We ate lunch at The Keeter Center, which was by far the most impressive building on campus. This rustic lodge is made up of 30 decorated suites, the William R. Dobyns Dining Room, and several conference and meeting rooms. The thought put into every little detail here was simply amazing! And the food was fantastic...I had the Signature Ham and Cheese with melted cheddar, grilled onions, hickory-smoked bacon and spicy apricot mustard on a soft pretzel roll for $8.95! Delicious!