“Here’s Johnny!”

On October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos, Poetry97 Comments

When we were visiting our son in Colorado, one place on his itinerary was Estes Park, and it’s in Estes Park where The Stanley Hotel is located, which is where The Shining was filmed, based on the book by Stephen King starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. Although, the brilliant author disapproved of the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick, even so, our walk around the grounds and inside the hotels was fascinating.

I’m not a horror fan, but I watched this genre in my teens. And yet, some images stick with me like super glue, unlike my husband who enjoys these movies for their creativity, costumes, and makeup, and who doesn’t take them seriously. Those horrific images that follow me through life such as from The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror are why I don’t watch them anymore. 😳 But now I’m going to contradict my words because I remember The Shining, vaguely, and I kind of want to watch it again now that we’ve walked through the hotel. Note, I said kind of.

“Honey, maybe we can watch The Shining on Halloween night,” I suggested. “But I need to have at least one light on.”

“Sounds fine, but I wouldn’t want any lights on. Where’s the fun in that?” He replied.

No decision between wife and hubby has been made yet. TBD.

There are several properties on the grounds, and we arrived in the evening, checking into our hotel, then enjoying a delicious dinner at The Post Chicken and Beer restaurant. We stayed at The Aspire which is part of The Stanley Hotel, so as guests, we were able to walk throughout the campus. I believe the hotel above is where the interior shots of the movie were filmed, but don’t quote me. I’m not versed in the history or details. Lights around the trees created a magical experience while we did what tourists do.

Pulled from the hotel website:

Discover historic elegance and natural beauty at The Stanley Hotel, founded in 1909 by F.O. Stanley. Nestled in the heart of stunning Estes Park, Colorado, our iconic hotel is just minutes away from the breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park and conveniently accessible from Denver Airport.

Immerse yourself in the rich history that inspired Stephen King’s masterpiece, The Shining, as you explore the corridors and rooms that echo with tales of the past. But The Stanley is more than a literary landmark – it’s a destination for unforgettable experiences.

Explore our diverse offerings, from a number of tours to magic shows, concerts, and exceptional dining experiences. With 41,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space, The Stanley is also the perfect backdrop for weddings and gatherings, making it one of the most sought-after venues in the US.

Whether you’re captivated by history, the allure of nature, or seeking a touch of magic, The Stanley Hotel beckons you to an extraordinary escape where each moment is timeless. Choose from four unique experiences for your stay: The Stanley Hotel, The Lodge, Aspire Hotel & Spa, and The Residences. Book now and embark on a journey where history and hospitality converge, creating lasting memories in a place unlike any other.

For the sake of October’s festivities, here are some quotes from the movie (besides, “Here’s Johnny!”:

“Sometimes human places, create inhuman monsters”
“The world’s a hard place. It don’t care. It don’t hate you and me, but it don’t love us, either”
“Redrum” (written on a door, which is “murder” spelled backward)
“I and others have come to a belief, that your heart is not in this. That you don’t have the belly for it,” said Delbert Grady to Jack.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed reading about the historic hotel, and the photos from our trip. If you’re a horror flick fan, kudos to you! You’re braver than me! I’m too much of a scaredy-cat! And believe me, if we watch The Shining, I’ll win! At least one light will be glowing! 👻

Happy Friday, and have a goosebump-good weekend! 🎃

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

***Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy!*** 🧡

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a beautiful day! 💙

Lauren Scott

Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
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Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
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Adventuring on the East Coast

On March 24, 2022March 24, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Vacations63 Comments

Last week my husband and I flew to Virginia to visit our son, and our daughter and SIL drove up from Tennessee. It was a chance for all of us to spend time together while our son acted as tour guide. He had some specific destinations in mind, so on those days, we were out the door by 8am to beat the crowds and get an early start. Fortunately, the weather complied, so no plans were detoured. Our first tour began with taking the Metro into Washington DC, a 20-minute ride from his apartment. This was a fun adventure.

The first stop was the White House, which was a bit underwhelming because of construction. Other historical sites we visited were the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, National Mall, the United States Capitol, Original Smithsonian Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Air and Space Museum. We covered 11 miles at a moderate clip!

**Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool**
**(too bad it didn’t look real clean)**

**View from the WW II Memorial**
**of the Washington Monument**

Another point of interest was Harper’s Ferry National Park in West Virginia. This is the town abolitionist John Brown raided from October 16-18, 1859 in an effort to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over this United States arsenal. Brown’s raid has been called the dress rehearsal for the Civil War.

From Google (paraphrased):

Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park is located in West Virginia. Paths wind through this quaint town that has 19th-century buildings, a Civil War Museum, and John Brown’s Fort, a key site in an 1859 abolitionist raid. The location where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, known as The Point, offers views of Maryland and Virginia. The Appalachian Trail Visitor Center has exhibits on the long-distance hiking trail.

In addition to the history, Harper’s Ferry is a small town full of charming shops to entice your wallets and delicious cafes to satisfy your palates. We walked about 6 miles, up and down hills, and on trails by the Potomac River, and also on the bridge overlooking the Shenandoah River. The views were incredible!

**Posing by the** **Potomac River**
**with our daughter & SIL**

Our last stop was at Fort Washington in Maryland…

From Wikipedia:

During the War of 1812 Fort Washington, built to protect the capital from enemy advances on the Potomac River, was captured by the British under the command of Admiral Gordon, three days after the burning of the capital.

It was interesting to read about the history while walking around this huge historic park with extensive hiking and bicycle paths. An abundance of grass made this park a perfect place for dogs to run around, and there were lots of happy dogs doing just that. This is a great destination for picnicking, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Historical re-enactments are held periodically at the Fort, and there is a small museum. Cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom, and they are beautiful.

**Yours truly under blue skies,**
**but with cold temps and just a little wind** 🙂

Now, I ask you, “Have you ever had the Ambar experience?” Ambar is a restaurant in Arlington, VA offering Balkan Cuisine. Our son treated all of us to the Ambar experience which is when small plates are ordered and brought to the table for everyone to sample. If you want more of an item, you simply ask the waiter or waitress. The cost is the same for each person and there is a 2-hour limit. We finished just shy of an hour and a half. The experience alone bursted with energy in the packed and noisy restaurant. We enjoyed drinks first, then we dove into the food frenzy. A few items we indulged in were a Charcuterie board with a variety of spreads and white flatbread. Then came a kale caesar salad, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and a cheese pie. The main course consisted of stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers, chicken skewers, meatballs, smoked sausage, salmon, and grilled shrimp. Remember, each plate had just enough for the five of us to sample. But even though we ate small helpings, we were full by the end of this food adventure, so we agreed to skip dessert.
I’m sure the desserts would have been absolutely heavenly because the food was to die for!
I’m sharing a few pics…

And this is the end of our east coast adventuring. Since our kids live across the country, the time spent together was beyond special. And even if we had stayed an extra day, there still would’ve been good-bye hugs and tears. So, we are grateful for this trip and what it brought to us. Until next time…

Hope you all enjoyed the adventure!

~Lauren ❤️

Jewels

On August 3, 2020 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Inspirational, Photos29 Comments

I found this photo
while browsing the archives.
In 2014, we vacationed
in Bend, Oregon,
which seems like
a million years ago.
A time of large gatherings,
not worrying about
what we touch,
and no mask-wearing.
It was a different world.
Sisters, Oregon was a
fun day adventure
and a destination
for beautiful
sightseeing.
I thought this
would make
a good Monday post.
So, I send wishes
of peace
for a new week,
and I’m grateful
for all of you
who stop by
my little piece
of blogland.
I hope you
continue to find
inspiration here
that keeps you
coming back.

Lauren 💗

Summertime

On July 15, 2015July 19, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry15 Comments

Soft serve on a cone
Hot dogs at the fair
Popcorn at the movies
Adventures if we dare
Bikes on the streets
Longer days to play
Sunscreen on our noses
for a hike on any day
Surfers on a wave
Towels on the sand
Parties in the pools
Dancing to the band
Moonlit strolls for lovers
Cool drinks with lime
Oh, how we love you
Sweet, sweet Summertime