Thursday, June 24, 2010

Big Thompson River Canyon

These are the pictures I promised of the beautiful drive going East out of Estes Park toward Loveland, Colorado on Hwy. 34 down the Big Thompson River Canyon. The road drops over 2500 feet in the space of 25 miles and the view the entire distance is incredible. The canyon is narrow all the way down with just enough room for the road, the river and a few houses and businesses. I just coasted the BoggsMobile the whole 25 curvy miles with the Jake Brake on pulling over every few miles to let the long train of cars behind me pass by. It was one of the most relaxing drives in a long time. Maybe I was being prepped for the storm later in the day! lol I took these pictures through the windshield.

There are signs posted in various places that say "In Case of Flooding Climb to Higher Ground" Later we found out why. On July 31, 1976 this area received 12 inches of rain in 3 hours and the 2 foot stream became a 19 foot wall of water sweeping boulders, houses, businesses, cars,RVs and homes down the narrow canyon. 145 lives were lost in that flood. If you Google Big Thompson River Canyon you can read all about it. The memories of those that survived moved me to tears. The 34th Anniversary of the flood is July 31-August 1.

The Last Picture was also taken from the windshield of the BoggsMobile headed West on I-90 in Montana. I hope I'm not wearing you out with pictures. We are going to be in the West a few months so there will probably be many more to come.

Davy