Chase, Sarah, and a certain steam car enthusiast at the entrance to the MacGregor Ballroom in the Stanley. You can see the wood door frame behind the Art Deco-ey set dressing. To the left, F.O. Stanley politely ignores my champagne and cigar from the wall, and beneath him, one rear wheel of the 1906 Stanley sneaks into the picture. Is that a mysterious red apparition in the lower left corner of the frame?
Ed and Jaime smile as the sun sets over the Rockies and the party swings into high gear. Another great shot on the Front Verandah, with the ever-present (and excellent) Cuban cigars. That might be me in the background.
Ah, here are the aforementioned lovely ladies in foxy evening gowns. This is the other end of the Head Table, featuring the hot new band Jaime and the Bridesmaids. In the background, the Rockies loom and champagne flows like water. Oh what a night.
Just got back from a few days at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, and wanted to post an item here to congratulate the Stanley Museum on a job well done, and to recommend a visit to other steam car fans.
By sheer chance, I found myself there for a Denver friend's wedding -- an interesting affair, as he is a "swing dance" fan, and the wedding party (including me) wore zoot suits and enjoyed Big Band/swing music. I even ended up on the dance floor despite having 3 left feet (some have only 2). Many of the young goth/alternative crowd at the wedding were more interested in the fact that the allegedly haunted hotel (built 1909 by F.O. Stanley of Stanley Steamer fame) is where Stephen King was inspired/wrote "The Shining" and also filmed the 1993 TV version of the semi-autobiographical horror novel. Not me -- I was into the steam angle!
There is a beautiful 1906 10 hp Stanley on display in the lobby, which got plenty of photo/video attention from me; a staff member said they run it once a year or so. Next to the car is a huge portrait of F.O.. Downstairs is the Stanley (branch) Museum, with displays including an early 20 hp engine, 20 hp boiler, cut section of a boiler showing tubes, shell, & heads, and a rather bedraggled slotted burner to match. I also spotted a spare burner plate hidden on the floor under the burner. Nice selection of steam literature on sale too -- finally got a copy of Walton's Doble book, and a few other bits of steam car literature. I'll put a few pix on my website & post link, maybe tonite.
Rooms are a bit pricey (~$US180+up in season), so budget steam travelers might try staying nearby and visiting/touring the hotel, but the accomodations are comfy, and food, drinks, & coffee are excellent. I spoiled myself with the tender & flavorful grilled elk steak (~$30 w/coffee & tip; no trace of gamey; buffalo is also on the menu) -- highly recommended! The next day, I spotted a few elk grazing next to the hotel (do not tease), so I figure they lean out the kitchen window and clobber a fresh one with a frying pan when you order.
A beautiful, historic building, nicely restored, squeaky floors upstairs, and spectacular Rocky Mountain surroundings. Be careful hiking, stairclimbing, & visiting the Cascades Bar, due to the thin air at the hotel's very high altitude -- it's easy to get winded &/or snockered. Ask for a ride on the 1909 Otis elevator, and enjoy the plush furnishings and huge fireplaces in the lobby. The verandas are a great place for a cigar or pipe -- by now the smoke has probably cleared from the 50+ wedding guests who were puffing away at Cuban coronas on the front veranda (they opened up the whole place to air it out afterwards -- cigar smoke worked its way into the upper hallways; F.O. would not have approved!). My first evening, I had the veranda all to myself for pipe smoking. The place gets pleasantly quiet though a bit spooky at night. Owning/restoring buildings from the same era, I was fascinated by the deluxe carpentry; check out the paneling downstairs and the main staircase railing. F.O. apparently had rather Victorian taste in architecture. Serious eye candy.
Well worth a visit at least, and a stay if budget permits. The drive up Big Thompson Canyon from Loveland, once frequented by Stanley Mountain Wagons full of hotel guests, is incredibly scenic, so bring your steamer and/or sports car, and lots of camera fodder. There is a small game arcade and snack machines downstairs for the kids, and pool and tennis courts out in front, so pack a swimsuit and rackets. Definitely try the elk -- rare. According to the staff, there is a steam car tour to the Hotel coming up soon.
Peter
http://www.geocities.com/inventor_92102
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