The Best Christmas Parade I Never Saw!

Over the weekend, we drove up to Estes Park. They always do an amazing Christmas lights parade on the Friday after Thanksgiving (or so I have heard). I have wanted to see this parade since I first learned of it. I thought it would be fun, and that Baby Boy would enjoy it. I talked hubby into going, and we called some friends and all trekked up the mountain.

We arrived in Estes at around 3:45. Plenty of time to park, grab a quick bite to eat, and find a seat (or so we thought). Turns out this is a really, really popular parade, and all the restaurants were packed (Starbucks had the longest line I've ever seen!). All the spaces on the curb along the parade route were claimed.

So we grabbed a bench at the best place we could see...and waited...and waited...and waited! 5:30 came, and no sign of the parade, but Baby Boy was getting fussy (and hungry). 5:35 came, Baby Boy was even more fussy and there was still no sign of the parade.

We decided that we must have been at the end of the route, and that we should have time to go in and grab a quick bite to eat and then catch the end of the parade. We went inside our favorite pizza place, and got seated immediately. We ate, and then we went back outside at exactly 6:30. What did we see? Lots and lots of red tail lights!

We completely missed the parade! What a bummer! I guess there is always next year for the parade in Estes! Luckily this parade was early enough in the season that we can always catch another one in the area.


*Picture borrowed off the Estes Park Visitor Bureau website.