4runnerguy wrote:
Don't think I'm blaming out-of-state tourists for this problem. Let me give you another example of how crazy things have gotten in the mountains.
Two or three years ago, we went down to the Front Range for a 4th of July party. As we went by Avon before 10 a.m., we could see all the streets were jammed and the parking lots all full. At Vail, we saw more cars parked on the frontage road than any ski day during the winter. And there was a 1/2 mile line of cars on I-70 at the Vail exit waiting to get off.
At Frisco, we needed a potty break. It took us 45 minutes to go a couple of miles through town. Once past the tunnel, traffic westbound was packed, and by Georgetown, it was slow and go. Once past the Empire Junction (US 40), westbound was stop and go (mostly stopped), and past Idaho Springs, it was at a stabdstill. As we went up Floyd Hill, we saw people out of their cars walking around. Traffic wasn't moving at all until we got down to Evergreen.
So by noon or so, every town along I-70 from Avon to Evergreen was already full and there was 20 miles of I-70 full of cars essentially parked on the highway, trying to get somewhere. I don't know where they were going and once they got there, where they were going to park. Of course the fireworks weren't for hours yet, but when one is stopped walking around on the interstate, you know it's going to be a long day.
Now the vast majority of those people probably originated on the Front Range and there were few RV's in that backup. But with so many people in the Denver area heading to the hills every weekend, you can imagine the impact on the mountain communities.
Ken,
You are aware that the 4th in Vail is the
Lacrosse tournament with people from all over the US and a number from around the world. Literally thousands of Kids/ and a number of Parents - I'd guess that what you are seeing - the fields are used Vail to Avon - there is never any parking - hence the roads are full of people parked on he shoulder to get to the fields.
It has gotten so bad that we no longer even try to go - (Again a Yogi is'em)
Twenty years ago you could get a House at less than 1/2 price of ski season - today it's full boat plus, Yes Colorado you have been DISCOVERED!
But IMHO it is still hard to beat any day in Colorado.
FYI,
