California to New York Day 3

This morning we drove up to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Stunning! We then headed to the Rockies. En route we saw a bald eagle, a coyote, and a prairie dog. As we got closer to the mountains, it began snowing quite a bit and we couldn't see the mountains. By the time we got to the park (just after 5pm) the weather seemed to be improving a bit, and though the visibility wasn't the greatest, we were hopeful we would at least be able to see some wildlife. We entered the park through the west entrance, however, we were greeted by a sign that said, "Road closed 10 miles ahead." We drove in the 10 miles and spotted 2 herd of elk, a coyote, and 3 bull elk locking their antlers a bit and posturing for dominance. We then turned around and went for dinner in Grand Lake. At 7pm we drove to a gas station and inquired about the alternate route to Estes Park. The girl said, "Go back 20 miles. Then you can turn left and go through [she named about 10 towns]. Then you'll go through a big pass. Then you'll catch 70." Then she said (I am not kidding!), "But I wouldn't go that way if I were you." She said, "If I were you, I would turn right, go through 2 towns and catch 70."  It reminded me so much of this scene in the movie Funny Farm:

I asked her which way was faster and she said they were both the same. So, what would Griswolds, I mean, Mahaffys do?

We came to a fork in the road. To the left was difficulty and near-certain death. To the right was easy. We turned left and took the road less traveled.

Dad drove. We climbed as high as 11,260 feet in a snow storm, and several times went up over 9,000 feet. It took us 5 hours to get to Estes Park. If the road through the park would have been open, it would have taken us 1 1/2 hours. O the fun memories and adventure! Love it!