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General Steam Car topics
Stanley Museum @ Stanley Hotel
Posted by: Peter Brow (IP Logged)
Date: June 20, 2003 09:48AM
<HTML>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</HTML>
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</HTML>
Re: Stanley Museum @ Stanley Hotel
Posted by: SSsssteamer (IP Logged)
Date: June 20, 2003 01:00PM
<HTML>2003 Centennial Automobile Extravaganza Updated, August 19 -25, 2003, Estes Park, Colorado This event celebrates the arrival of F.O. Stanley in Estes Park in 1903, of major significance to both automotive and Colorado State History. Headquarters are to be at The Stanley Hotel. There is to be touring on Tuesday, 28 mile warm up tour; Wednesday, 85 mile tour on Trail Ridge road; Thursday, 73 mile run. Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, steam cars are to join antique, veteran and classic cars on exhibit downtown and at Stanley Park. Sunday is a free day. Monday is a 28 mile short tour or the 65 mile longer tour. Blow down banquet that evening at the Stanley Hotel. Contact the Stanley Museum for more information.</HTML>
Re: Stanley Museum @ Stanley Hotel
Posted by: Peter Brow (IP Logged)
Date: July 13, 2003 12:43PM
<HTML>Photos (incl F.O. Stanley portrait; steamier stuff to be added soon) and notes on my visit to the Stanley Hotel:
[www.angelfire.com]
Also see some pix and notes on my engine/axle mockup (should be updated soon with pictures of the completed rig):
[www.angelfire.com]
Peter</HTML>
[www.angelfire.com]
Also see some pix and notes on my engine/axle mockup (should be updated soon with pictures of the completed rig):
[www.angelfire.com]
Peter</HTML>
Re: Stanley Museum @ Stanley Hotel
Posted by: Terry Williams (IP Logged)
Date: July 13, 2003 09:27PM
<HTML>Peter,
Surely you are not going to use a solid axle, are you. With easily available IRS components around these days?</HTML>
Surely you are not going to use a solid axle, are you. With easily available IRS components around these days?</HTML>
Re: Stanley Museum @ Stanley Hotel
Posted by: Peter Brow (IP Logged)
Date: July 14, 2003 06:23AM
<HTML>Hi Terry,
I'm starting another thread for this topic; will reply there.
Peter</HTML>
I'm starting another thread for this topic; will reply there.
Peter</HTML>
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