Loveland ColoradoMost tourists pass through Loveland Colorado on Highway 34 while on their way to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. We have traveled this route to the mountains many times. Occasionally, if we have a little extra time, we will spend some of it in Loveland, usually just driving around random side roads looking for some interesting scenery. We haven't failed yet to be entertained, and much of the scenery is beautiful.The photos on this page were snapped just driving around the Loveland area.  Loveland Colorado isn't just a nice place to visit; it often shows up on those "Best Places to Live" lists in national publications as well-known as Money Magazine, USA Today, AARP the Magazine, and U.S. News & World Report. Neighboring Fort Collins also shows up on those lists regularly. Since it is such a great place to call home, many people who work in Denver and Boulder choose to commute an extra hour in order to live in Loveland. For those who haven't visited the area, many might recognize Loveland Colorado as the town that receives valentines by the thousands so that they can be hand-stamped by volunteers with a Valentine's Day verse. Once the valentines pick up a Loveland postmark, they are on their way to the lucky recipient. Each year, the community newspaper, the Reporter Herald, holds a contest and picks a winner among submissions from locals.  Numerous lakes and ponds are scattered throughout the area. The one that almost everybody notices, Lake Loveland, is located on Highway 34, within the city limits. There are always fishermen and boaters on the lake, as well as hikers around the area during the summer months. The lake dates back to the late 1800's, and the original purpose was agriculture irrigation. Today, most of the lake is owned by the City of Greeley who uses it as a part of their city water system. The source of the water is the Big Thompson River, which borders Highway 34 in Big Thompson Canyon.  Loveland can be a very good place to see wildlife, especially the outlying areas on small lakes and around streams. We have seen elk on lawns and parks and deer everywhere. Coyotes and foxes are also common in the area. Actually, coyotes have reached nuisance proportions in Loveland as they become more accustomed to humans and less afraid. |
