August 18, 2007
The summer of 1967 promised to be exciting as we three college girls headed west to work in a restaurant and motel in Estes Park, Colorado. In those days, working in resorts was “the” thing college kids loved to do in the summers.
We hopped on the passenger train in Omaha and rode it all night to Denver. A cousin picked us up, drove us to Estes Park, and dropped us off at a motel where we realized quite abruptly that we were on our own ready or not.
No job, very little money, and absolutely no idea what to do next.
This summer exactly 40 years later, my sister Pat and I revisited the town, the cabin we rented, and the restaurant where we eventually found work as waitresses along with friend Connie in 1967.
Talk about déjà vu!
Surprisingly, not much has changed. Granted, the town, founded in 1917, has grown a great deal since 1967, but many of its landmarks and certainly its friendly spirit remain safely intact.
When we first got to Estes this summer, we went immediately to the Sundeck Restaurant on Trail Ridge Road. Sure enough Vic, the son of the owner in 1967, was still there and remembered us. By the way, Vic specializes just like his Dad in serving fresh grilled trout.
In 1967 during the day, Vic, Jack, Dick, and Pete worked for the park rescue service and spent their days climbing mountains and rescuing hikers and climbers. In the evening, they came back to the restaurant to work as waiters.
Waitresses were Pat, Connie, Colleen, Marnie, some others I cannot remember, and myself. We worked the breakfast and lunch shifts, then cleaned the motel rooms in the afternoon, and returned to work dinner hour at the restaurant. At age 19, it seemed like fun, although I can remember how our feet hurt every night.
Still there was time for camaraderie among the college crowd in Estes. Each night most of the college workers gathered at a place called Pete’s to hear whatever band was in town. In fact before the summer was over, there was one wedding, two engagements, and a special bond that developed among us. It was a place and time of life that none of us ever forgot, and unbelievably to me, we still remember each other’s names. That in itself is a feat since 40 years have passed. From time to time, we return one by one to the restaurant where Vic serves as information central and keeps us informed about one another.
I took a picture of the tiny cabin where Pat, Connie, and I stayed located just behind the restaurant and reminisced about how we were down to our last peanut butter and jelly sandwich when we finally landed the jobs at Sundeck.
The occasion of my visit this summer besides a trip down memory lane was to complete a marketing swing around central Colorado to present my book “Al Fike The Modern Minstrel Man, 1912-1996” to libraries, museums, gift shops, and book stores.
It was a pleasure to realize that folks all over Colorado still remember The Al Fike Show, especially in Estes Park. Al Fike, nationally-known vaudeville entertainer of the 50’s and 60’s, worked there for many years at the famed Stanley Hotel, the Lane Guest Ranch, Jubilee, Dark Horse, Nicky’s, and other resorts and clubs. Many of those establishments are still there.
So, if you heading west to Estes Park, here are my “tried and true” traveler’s tips and three favorite accommodations:
There is no better place to start in Estes Park than along the walkway by the Fall River that runs through the main shopping district. Waterfalls, fountains, and the rapidly flowing river are delightful to watch.
Flowers love this climate and are just as abundant as the humming birds in the summer and the elk in the fall. Yes, the elk actually walk throughout the downtown district and onto the golf courses. Take your camera!
The Estes Park Museum located at 200 Fourth Street across from Lake Estes provides a step back in time with its historical displays that honor the town’s 90th anniversary, 1917 to 2007.
The Stanley Hotel. Absolutely, it is the very same storied hotel where Stephen King wrote “The Shining.” Grand and gorgeous indeed, but you may want to avoid Room 217, the haunted room King made famous in his novel. However, I hear there are plenty of other rooms with “live” ghosts. See for yourself or at least sit on the veranda and take in the panoramic view.
The YMCA. If you have never been there, do not think this is like every other YMCA. It is not. This “Y” is a convention center as well as a great place for family vacations. It has a lodge with wireless internet and a coffee shop, and in my way of thinking, that is about all one really needs. It also has a library, swimming pool, basketball gym, dining hall, numerous group activities, and hiking tours. Well, let’s just say this has to be as close to heaven as it is to the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lane Guest Ranch. You may have to hunt for the entrance because Lane is well hidden in the mountains on Highway 7 south of Estes on the way to Allenspark. A perfect getaway for city slickers who want a dude ranch experience with the comforts of home. You will love it, guaranteed.
After 40 years, it is a joy to know that these places are still there and that my memories of Estes Park are alive and well.
