Room 217

Many years ago a Professor at University of Colorado Boulder submitted a story to his editors about a Man and his son who go on vacation and visit an amusement park. During their visit the park rides come alive and attack the man and his son. The man and his son are forced to use unusual methods to stop the attack. The editors were not impressed with the story and the professor is given the 'no publish' stamp. Frustrated with the rejection the Author decides to leave and heads to Estes Park, Colorado. After arriving in Estes, the Author decides to stay for a while to clear his head. He choses the Stanley Hotel. While attempting to check into the Hotel, the author learns that the tourist season is over and heavy snow is in the forecast. The entire staff of the hotel is shutting down and leaving for the winter. The author makes it clear to the staff that he wants to stay regardless of the weather. The Author is given keys to room 217. No one knows exactly what happens to the Author in room 217 during his stay in the vacant, and rumored haunted, hotel. Shortly after the Author returns to Boulder and writes a book, which was offered to and accepted by the editors this time. The book is a success, it was written by Richard Bachman, a very famous author. Oh, maybe you don't know him by that name, maybe you know him by his birth name, Stephen King, and the book he writes you might know as well 'The Shining.'

My wife and I just celebrated twelve years of marriage as of June 20. We were able to sneak away without the kids, thank you babysitters John and Pam Faz (My Parents Rock!) to the beautiful town of Estes Park, CO. The story above was told to us during a ghost tour of the Stanley Hotel, which is highly recommended if you ever visit Estes Park, Co.

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are great getaways if you live within six hundred miles, it is also a place I would put on my bucket list. That said, I would have to put Rocky Mountain National Park about number six behind Zion, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and Yellowstone. Not to put the place down, it was beautiful and full of wildlife, and I have never been to a National Park where I didn't see one piece of trash or litter. At Rocky Mountain National Park, Jen and I went on a 5.5 mile hike and did not see one piece of a wrapper or can, or paper or any litter at all.

If you visit put these on your list-

-Sweet Basilicos- Italian food

-The Stanley Hotel Ghost tour

-Rivers Pointe Spa (Couples Massage)

-Twin Owls steakhouse (steak was ok at best but cheesecake was the best I've ever had)

-Fat Tire beer

-Hike Ouzel Falls Rocky Mountain National Park.

I would put photos up but My Mac and My HTC phone don't get along.

Good Day