colorado rockies, jun 01 

 

 

After my parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, I got to kidnap Rich and take him to all of my old favorite hideouts in the Colorado Rockies! Some highlights below are from Idaho Springs, Twin Lakes, Leadville, Aspen, Winter Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Red Rocks.


My favorite hot springs. The Indian Springs Resort in Idaho Springs, CO, established in 1869. Visitors from Jessie James, Walt Whitman, to the Roosevelts have enjoyed the 125° F natural mineral hot springs. Beau Jo's Pizza. The best Rocky Mountain pizza place!! Had to order a Mountain Pie... and it was tasty. Lots of old mines still exist in the Clear Creek Canyon. This is above Georgetown near Guanella Pass, 11,696 feet. I think Rich found gold!Twin Lakes, CO. Elevation: 9,210 feet. Located at the base of Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest peak.No Caption
We stayed at the Nordic Inn. Here's the view from the front door.No CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionThe hike around the Twin LakesNo CaptionNo Caption
No CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionAn old homestead near the ghost town of InterlakenNo CaptionLeadville, CO. Elevation: 10,152 feet. Colorado's silver king in the 1870s.Between 1879 and 1889, Leadville produced $82,000,000 in silver.
The Golden Burrow Cafe... yummy!!The Tabor Opera House. Horace Tabor's Matchless Mine produced $1,000,000 a year in silver over its 14 year run.An old homestead just outside of Leadville.The Leadville CemeteryThe result of running the sprinklers throughout a cold high-altitude, Leadville night. Creepy. No CaptionDriving over Independence Pass on our way to Aspen, CO. Rich drove over six different 10,000+ foot passes! Most impressive for a "Chicago Boy!"
Whew... we made it!! Crossed the Continental Divide many times during our visit! 11,000-foot mountain flowers I'll check out the view, Rich can watch the road!! Aspen, CO. Elevation: 7,980 feet. A typical Aspen hotel! The famous ski slopes (in June) Doesn't this just make you want to take up skiing! Sheesh!!
Driving through the Aspen highlands No CaptionOn our way to the Maroon Bells, outside of Aspen The Maroon Bells: 14,156 feet No CaptionNo CaptionNo Caption
No CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionCrater Lake No Caption
Eisenhower Tunnel, elevation: 11,012 feet Over the Continental Divide, again! Look out below! Heading to Winter Park to meet up with the Crooks and Mama & Papa Bloch! Looking for Gold on the old railroad to Rollins Pass above Winter Park Any luck Doug?No CaptionRich and I are back on the road heading North to Rocky Mountain National Park
Elk everywhere (well, at least one)! We're on Trail Ridge Road... a true test of the car brakes! Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest paved highways in the U.S. 18 mountain peaks over 13,000 feet high surround Rocky Mountain National Park Rich!! Keep your eyes on the road!! Once we left the park, we headed south through Estes Park, Boulder and back into Denver... We had to stop off at Red Rocks Amphitheater, outside of Denver.
No CaptionI used to live about 5 miles from here in Lakewood, CO. I went to many concerts here over the years! No CaptionNo CaptionWe were very fortunate to witness one of Colorado's infamous thunderstorms over Denver from up in the hills of the Red Rocks amphitheater We were blessed with perfect weather throughout our trip!! Thanks to Mother Nature for sending us back to Seattle with such a beautiful display!