Monday morning we woke up to big, fat, fluffy snowflakes falling on our little mountain lodge. The mountain tops were hidden behind low clouds. As much as I dread seeing snow on vacation (SNOW on VACATION) I have to admit it was beautiful the way the snow highlighted the trees.
The snow covered peaks were beautiful as well, although on this particular day we could no longer see them.
Judging by the number of scenic pull offs I assume this was an impressive stretch of highway. However, when we were traversing it we counted ourselves lucky to see the lines on the road. At certain points the fog (cloud) was so thick we couldn't!
As we chug-chugged our way along the winding narrow gauge track we listened to the guide give us the low-down on the train's history.
It was originally intended to link the town of Denver with Leadville in the west. Another railroad made it there first and this line ended at Silver Plume. For several decades it was considered the "in thing" to catch the train in Denver, travel to Silver Plume for a picnic lunch, then arrive back in the big city for dinner. The train had to be narrow gauge to accommodate the twisting mountains and steep grades. By the end of the 1930's the automobile had advanced to the point that railroad travel slacked and the line closed. The tracks were torn up and sold for scrap metal.
Almost five decades passed before the tracks were rebuilt, buildings reconstructed, and the line opened for tourists.
Today the train goes between the towns of Silver Plume and Georgetown several times each day, making a stop at the Lebanon mines. There were other interesting facts concerning the elevation difference between the towns and the challenges that presented, but I suppose you'll just have to go there to find out the details...
Earl is showing off his silver ore.
It was about this point in our vacation when I realized I had spent the majority of our time in Colorado staring at the mountains with my mouth hung open like an eejit.
....couldn't help it. I just kept saying, "Wooooooooow...."
Georgetown's Devil's Gate Station.
Interesting Georgetown, CO and Georgetown, KY connections....
Georgetown, KY was originally named Lebanon - the name of the mine in Georgetown, CO.
Georgetown, KY was named in honor of President George Washington -
Georgetown, CO was named in honor of the miner George Griffith - originally from KY
They say there's a pot of gold Walmart truck at the end of every rainbow....
The drive back to Denver wasn't nearly as spectacular as driving into the mountains.
Here, the Plains stretch on into the horizon.
The Mile High City!
Our last Bed & Breakfast, the Queen Anne, the delightfully unique. Modern, yet traditional. Very crunchy and green. Owned by a master chef who served us our breakfast - goat cheese, mushroom, and spinach omelets (hold the 'shrooms, thanks) - along with other produce and yummys bought in from local farms.
We were fortunate to have the Roof Top room, complete with a private hot tub with views of the city and mountains (behind Coors Stadium).
A perfect ending to our vacation!
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