Dear Friends and Family,

From Rocky Mountain National Park, we traversed around the Rockies to some highlights, Golden being one, with a visit to old town and the Coors brewery.  There was an interesting self guided tour and generous tastings at the end. The tree photos you see on this entry is the scenery we are treated to at almost every turn as we travel around the Rockies.  These are native aspen trees and in fall they turn from yellow to orange and finally red before the leaves fall off the trees. What amazed us was how certain sections of the aspen grove turn different colors at different times.  We just couldn’t stop photographing them. Before we left Golden, we visited Buffalo Bill’s grave and learned in the adjacent museum, that he was buried on top of Look out Mountain at his request. We stopped to visit Leadville at 10,000 feet high, a former mining town which still mines silver today. We had a guided tour of the Healy house and the Dexter cabin. (first two photos). The three story house was built and furnished in Victorian style so that we all got a good idea of what a house of a prominent silver mining magnate would be like during Leadville’s bonanza mining period. The town at one time had 30,000 residents but today there are about 2500 residents. The log cabin built by business man and one of the state’s early millionaires looks rustic from the outside but inside it is finished with fine woodwork and hard wood floors. Of course we had to finish our stop in Leadville with a visit to the old saloon. Leadville was definitely worth the visit.

One of our favorite cities in the Rockies to visit was Breckenridge, CO.  It is a skiing town in winter but in summer there is biking and hiking.  The main street is lined with some of the most beautiful flower baskets we have ever seen.  We had fun walking down the street and poking our noses inside the lovely shops.  Sandy and Susan even found the bear they have been looking for.  Our next stop was Cripple Creek KOA at 10,000 feet high. Driving the lofty, curvey roads, was a challenge for the Beast but we made it. Then off to a former mining town called Victor and on to Cripple Creek. We drove past a huge mining operation that is still pulling gold and silver out of the ground. Such a huge scar on the land, although the company claims to regenerate the land by replanting it with native species.  Cripple Creek has gambleing casinos now so the town is a busy place.  They have retained the old buildings but just put casinos inside them.  It is still a visit worth making for the spectacular views.

So amid the Colorado aspen beauty, we continue our journey and head to Colorado Springs area next.  Until our next post, remember to be good to yourself and have a relaxing weekend.

Cheers,

Susan and Jim