A dozen times in Colorado, and finally have it filled in.
Thursday, July 4th, 2024
This hanger is where they restore and maintain. All planes at the museum can fly!
Bishop Castle is one of those unique American creations.
For instance, this spiral staircase starts with holes in the floor, then holes in the steps and I got a few flights ups without handrails to find it was wide open to a fall.
Wasn't going to chicken out for the bridge.
Back on the road.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Friday, July 5th, 2024
After silver was found, Creed had a population of 10,000 in 1891. Today it has 257.
...scenery.
Touch of the old west in Gunnison.
Oury was, you guessed it, a mining town.
The color reveals this area was mined for copper, ore and lead.
Silverton was mining, is now tourism. Notice a trend?
Durango Diner
6 decades
Locals elbow to elbow
Friendly waitresses calling diners by name
"The Cure"
Hand shredded hashbrowns topped with American cheese, ham, eggs and smothered in Durango Diner Green Chili Sauce
Navigating the snaking road through Mesa Verda National Park.
Cliff House is bottom left.
It was inhabited 550AC to 1300.
Across this valley, you can see more dwellings.
Leaving this unique National Park.
Mountain Top is not on a mountain top.
Few more hours of...
Can you guess what this town was founded on?
Now its cash cow is skiing/tourism.
The next three hours included some of the most spectacular scenery I've seen in my limited driving around the USA.
Green mountains transitioned to red.
With a meandering river.
Twisting through canyons.
Opening up to amazing vistas.
In remote Gateway is a resort with a car museum that had some of the collection of the founder of Discovery channel.
Few hours later was the third time in Aspen.
Then looping around to Leadville.
Sunday, July 7th, 2024
Always wanted to get back.
In the clouds.
Yet another way for nature to humble you.
See the road?
At a summit.
That pictures shows how up to 70' of snow covers the buildings.
Loved Grand Lake for its welcoming vibe, attractive lake, flowers and use of historic structures.
More hours, more miles.
Monday, July 8th, 2024
Two days later, back in Leadville.
It's the highest city in the US at 10,158 feet.
From boutiques to old seedy bars. From outdoor gear stores to historic facades.
1938!
Town is surrounded by dozens of blocks of small homes.
National Mining Museum turned out to be fascinating. Covering four levels, it had everything from the history of mining to how mining is done to how minerals are used.
Some miners were sick of being ripped off, kept saying they wanted fair play, started their own town, so the town became known as Fairplay.
South Park City showcases (44) historic buildings, (8) of which are original to this city.
Dyer Chapel
Want to move to Salida. Active downtown, a riverfront and tidy homes.
Rachee's Place Saloon
Bank of Alma
Mayer Home
South Park City Jail.
Dentist
Continuing west.
Crossing the continental divide, again.
Continuing west.
A festival in Crested Butte.
Repeating the same gravel road for a few hours from a couple days ago due to highway 50 being closed.
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024
Revisiting Grand Junction since I love its gently curving Main Street that is superbly landscaped and fronted with appealing storefronts.
Colorado National Monument
Ute Canyon
Artists Point
Coke Ovens Overlook
Cold Shivers Point
Just needs a good cleaning and I have a ranch.
Dinosaur National Monument
On the tram to...
...the Quarry that has been protected since 1952.
During a long drought, dinosaur died at a river bed. When extensive rains returned their remains collected at the bottom of that river bed.
This was discovered in 1909. From then until 1924 dozens of mostly intact skeletons made their way to museums across the country.
I touched a dinosaur bone!
BBQ in Craig.
Was in Steamboat Springs last year and skied it in 1997.
Walden. All of it.
Just stood taking it in.
Back over the Rockies, again.
How many roads follow a canyon river?
Wednesday, July 10th, 2024
Revisiting one of my favorites towns in Fort Collins.
Back at The Stanley in Estes Park to take a tour.
After F.O. Stanley, inventor for the Stanley steam car, found the mountain air cured his tuberculosis he built a guest house. Yes, this didn't start as a hotel.
The Concert Hall was added to provide the luxury to his guests who expected amenities. It had such unheard offerings as ice, electricity, running water and 3 meals a day.
Manor House was added for single men, who couldn't sleep under the same roof as women.
Pinon Billiards Rooms where men played the game as the ladies watched.
Grand Staircase
-Hand carved spindles cost ten cents each
-Used for scenes in Dumb and Dumber
1909 Otis elevator
In September 1974 an unknown writer with only one published book and his wife left Boulder with the intention of crossing the Rockies over to Grand Lake. Unbeknownst to them, that road was closed for the winter.
In Estes Park, they sought out the closest hotel. Finding The Stanley had just closed for the season they talked them into a room. Room 217 was the only one with linens.
After turning in for the night, this alcoholic writer snuck down to the bar where the remainging bartender regaled him with tales of this haunted hotel.
That night the writer had vivid nightmares, woke up, went to the balcony and came up with a novel.
Following Carrie, The Shining became Stephen King's second book.
You can stay in room 217. There is currently a 3 year wait. It may be haunted.
Tunnel under the hotel.
Always wanted to return to Boulder and explore it more. Started with the Mapleton Hill Historic District.
Pearl has to be one of the best pedestrian streets in America.
Salted Coffee Oreo
Their courthouse screams Art Deco.
I hope to be back.
The Hill neighborhood is around the University of Colorado Boulder.
Golden
Was at Lockout Mountain in 1998.
Rockies
Denver
Golden
So nearby is an excellent museum. The biography is excellent and has such items as his Bowie knife, guns, clothes, canes and Medal of Honor.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre was visitied in 1998 and 2000 and wanted to see it again, but it was closed for an evening event.
