Colorado
Horsetooth Reservoir Campground
Someday we will have to select a place to live when we are tired of being nomads. With each location we explore, the question comes up, “What do you think about living here?” Well Colorado has it all. The towns have all been interesting, the mountains, waterfalls, open spaces, huge reservoirs of sparkling water, and skiing in the winter – oops - skiing means snow- snow means cold… I guess we will keep looking!
Our first two camp grounds in Colorado were about an hour away from Rocky Mountain National Park, which we visited several times. One of our visits started early in the morning because we were told that the parking lot at Bear Lake, a very popular hiking spot, frequently didn’t have any parking spots available after 8:30 AM. Since it was drizzling and a bit chilly when we arrived, we found several parking spots available. The goal was to hike to Emerald Lake.
It is always interesting to people watch as we hike. There were those who looked like a commercial for REI. Others wore gym shoes rather than boots; some had umbrellas to try to keep dry, while others didn’t have any rain protection. Because of all of the moisture, the path was somewhat muddy. Francie and I were both astonished as we passed a young woman with mud splashed up the backs of her bare legs, wearing flip flops. It felt like we were back in Florida on the beach.
It took a couple of hours to reach our destination, and it was well worth it. The pictures show why.
Along the way we saw several elk. They seemed content to graze as dozens of future paparazzi stopped within only 10 or 12 feet from them to take pictures. These movie star type creatures would occasionally look up as if to say, “OK, take my picture now.” Then they would return to grazing.
As we walked in the drizzling rain, we made one understandable observation. The people coming down the mountain smiled more than those going up.
After a little lunch, we set out again, this time to Alberta Falls. It was only a mile to the falls and not near as steep as our last hike. The rain stopped and the sun came out for the first time all day. The falls were spectacular. Again the pictures show the beauty. Best of all the rain held off until we were back in the car.
As we walked in the drizzling rain, we made one understandable observation. The people coming down the mountain smiled more than those going up.
After a little lunch, we set out again, this time to Alberta Falls. It was only a mile to the falls and not near as steep as our last hike. The rain stopped and the sun came out for the first time all day. The falls were spectacular. Again the pictures show the beauty. Best of all the rain held off until we were back in the car.
While camping in Horsetooth Reservoir, we hiked, kayaked, rode our bikes along the Poudre River, shopped in Fort Collins, toured the capital in Denver and visited with friends and family.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park has become our favorite camping spot – not that we are really camping. Walking out our front door, we were greeted by a mountain scene that was postcard worthy. The park is just south of Colorado Springs. Since we could only stay 5 days, we then moved 17 miles south to a private campground. It is a great place with wonderful people, but the cell service is horrible. Well Verizon – we can’t hear anyone now.
We sampled all eight different mineral springs that flow in different fountains throughout the town of Manitou Springs. The great tribes of the Plaines and the Mountain Utes believed that the naturally carbonated mineral water had healing properties.
Seven Falls
Seven Falls is also near Manitou Springs and offers an aerobic 224 steps to the top of the falls and then a one mile climb with 400 feet additional elevation to Inspiration Point.
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Royal Gorge
Our favorite adventure was whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge. Unfortunately we were too busy paddling and keeping ourselves in the raft to take pictures.
Walking Bridge over Royal Gorge
Notice the red gondola ride over the Gorge!
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Pikes Peak
A drive up to the top of Pikes Peak was both beautiful and terrifying! A tribute to Katherine Lee Bates, who after climbing Pikes Peak in 1983 wrote “America the Beautiful,” greets you at the top as you gaze over this truly beautiful landscape.
Horseback riding in the Cheyenne Mountains up narrow trails, past a waterfall and abandoned mine was everything a novice rider could desire! The hummingbirds on the porch at Old State Riding Stables were great entertainment.
Horseback riding in the Cheyenne Mountains up narrow trails, past a waterfall and abandoned mine was everything a novice rider could desire! The hummingbirds on the porch at Old State Riding Stables were great entertainment.
Sand Dunes National Park & Zapata Falls
A couple of days before leaving Colorado, we decided to go to Great Sand Dunes National Park. On the way to the park, Francie read about Zapata Falls and suggested we hike to it. First we had to drive our Honda CRV very slowly up a 3.5 mile Jeep type mountain road. At the end of the road, we hiked a half mile up to a stream. Then we tried to walk on rocks in a very cold stream through a cave to a 30 foot waterfall. It really was worth the effort to get there!
Ludlow Massacre
Coal miners have had a turbulent history. Even in modern times it is not unusual to hear about a mishap in a mine. When we learned that there was a statue commemorating a coalminers’ strike on our way to Trinidad, CO, we had to learn more about it. We had never heard of the Ludlow Massacre of 1914. As Francie read the events of the Ludlow Massacre, I followed our GPS’s directions to several false locations. Standing in silence in front of the statue, we were once again reminded of the sacrifices so many people have made for the betterment of our society.
http://features.westword.com/ludlow-massacre-anniversary/tablet/index.php
http://features.westword.com/ludlow-massacre-anniversary/tablet/index.php
A couple of extra pictures we wanted to include. . . . . . . . .
Post office mural “Antelope” from 1934, in Florence, Colorado, created as part of the New Deal to provide decoration in public buildings.
Visitors during our picnic lunch!
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Mule? Pony? Zebra?
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Taking a walk in La Veta, Colorado
Garden of the Gods near Manitou Springs.
Getting diesel doesn't get better than this!