We had to stop in Loveland, CO and drop off our RV to get its annual maintenance check up. The issue with the Loveland LazyDays facility is that they don’t let you stay in your RV overnight like the Tampa and Tucson facilities do. So, we had to spend 10 days in the La Quinta in Ft. Collins. This was an experience for us. We basically packed our kitchen and brought it with us to the hotel since we could not keep anything in the refrigerator. We do have to tell you that this hotel was very clean and they were cleaning all the time. On top of that, they worked outside cleaning and even fertilizing the dog grass. We were impressed and it made us comfortable.
Now when you take your car in for a tune-up it is probably just a one or two day event. Our took 10 days because there are over 30 items that are cleaned, checked and fixed if need be. The usual belts, radiator, hoses, filter but also the slides, the Aqua-hot heating system and many other items. Once we got our RV back, it was quieter when running on the generator and just seemed to work at top notch. We will have to do an annual maintenance package of course.
While we were in the hotel, we also used the time to visit the area. Being so close to Denver, this was easy and walkable. Cocoa even liked going with us this time. This was when we took her to the dog park.
One big event going on in Thornton was when construction works unearthed rare dinosaur bones. A triceratop was being unearthed. Here is what a full skeleton would look like as well as real time. We don’t know how much of the skeleton they will unearth but can’t believe we were that close!
Below is a picture of the site. No one was able to visit and work had to stop while they dusted up the bones.
From there we drove by the Sports Authority Field just to see it.
Then we passed this church and had to look at this weather vane. Look at all that work and the rooster at top.
Then we went on a Colorado State Capital tour. After touring the facility, we need to mention how many stained glass windows there are in this building and how many women are recognized as leaders.
Here is a picture from the outside. That is real gold on the crown which was just updated a few years ago.
What was interesting was that over the years, they had three different markers saying you were at One Mile High. As time went on, the marking moved up the stairs.
Here is the story:
“The 15th step is engraved with the words “One Mile Above Sea Level.” It held this distinction from 1909 to 1969, when a group of students from Colorado State University remeasured. Their calculations put a mile high on the 18th step, which prompted the installation of a bronze marker. In 2003, the elevation was measured again. This time, the researchers identified the 13th step as the correct benchmark. A brass medallion engraved with the silhouette of the Rocky Mountains was formally installed in a ceremony later that year (the governor gave the keynote).
The difference between the 15th and 18th step is 3.03 feet and the discrepancy has to do with an update to the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD), which is the standard control of orthometric height in the United States. The 1969 measurements had been done with a previous standard, not the NAVD of 1988, which remains in use today.”
Guess measurements get better in time.
Here are some pictures from the inside:
This is the President’s Hallway with a picture of every one of the U.S. presidents. Look to the left and you can see the last three Presidents.
The model of the State Capital. We went to the Dome – which is really the 2nd set of windows from the roof. From inside of the Dome, you can see that there are still three more floors above you which is restricted. Apparently that dome you see on the outside is encased with another dome underneath of it.
They have a Ring of Honor on this floor and there are many stained glass windows all around. 
This is the view from the dome tour. This winding staircase goes to the next level and is original to the Capital. It is restricted so we could not climb it.
Then you get to walk all around the dome outside and see some great sites. Ther
e are markers pointing to the Mountains of course.
Notice the altitude on these markers.
A view inside of the capital from the Dome.
We also visited the Rocky Mountain National Arsenal.
Got to see more bison.
Plus prairie dogs who posed for Mike.
and Deer.
Then our visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Driving the one-way on the Old Fall River road you will see some beautiful sites.
This was small hike down to see this fall. It was beautiful.
After this drive, you end up at the Alpine Visitor’s Center. From there you can do the Alpine Ridge Trail. “The Alpine Ridge Trail begins from the far end of the parking area for the Alpine Visitor Center atop Trail Ridge Road. Although a very short hike, the trail is fairly steep, gaining more than 200 feet in just three-tenths of a mile. Combine this with being situated at an elevation of 12,000 feet and it’s no wonder that it’s earned the nickname of “Huffers Hill”. 225 steps to the top!
By the way this is the view from where you started. That is the Alpine Visitor Center at the bottom. (Sorry had to grab this picture from the internet – there was not that much snow when we were there.)
Finally, we got to see a bear cub up on the hill munching away – which is why you can’t see his face.
So that is how we passed our time staying in a hotel and waiting for our RV to be maintained.
