Super excited to host my sister, niece & nephew last week – their first visit to Colorado.
[Gotta say though, made myself a wee bit crazy cleaning & painting before their arrival. 2 downstairs walls were ‘in-progress’ when I learned they were coming – 6 different splotches of green, blue & slate ‘til I decided on a colour.]
Been an unusually wet summer for my arid home state. Couple that with my sister’s natural string of luck – and we’re talking monsoon rainfall with high in the 50’s…in mid-July. Yep, without bad luck, my sis would have no luck at all. HA>
[Day 1’s hike shortened due to lightning. Horseback riding in Estes cancelled. Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park – fog, rain & snow – Alpine Center closed. Waterworld? Folks were wearing fleeces all week…bathing suits? Not so much. I’m telling ya…she’s got some luck.]
After 3 days of touring the USA’s 2nd most sunniest state – in the rain – I decided to take a day from work to join in the fun.
Wednesday’s forecast – 100% rain, heavy at times. Yikes.
Met up with my family in Boulder, dropped the car at a Park N Ride, and travelled an hour-half west on I-70 to Silver Plume. Train ride in the Rockies & tour of a silver mine – rain or shine, there’s a lot to see & do in Colorado 🙂
[Thanks to a few thrift store purchases the night before, we arrived warm & appropriately layered.]
Colorado rail lines were created in the mid- to late 1800’s when silver mining was the state’s most profitable export. Easy 4 mile ride to Georgetown. Scenic path cut thru lodgepole pines — pretty views. The mine tour however…now that’s a reason to write home. Hippie Mike, our guide, was crazy knowledgeable. Lot of the original [mining] equipment remains abandoned underground. Got a tutorial on mining, learned ’bout Tommy Knockers & nabbed a sizeable stone to remember the day (rock garden addition) 🙂
Next up – St Mary’s Glacier. Who doesn’t wanna see snow in July, right?
Parked, geo-cached & WHOOSH – welcomed by a deluge of rain. My family are good sports – no fuss, no muss – hiked a mile in elevation & heavy precip. Just past St Mary’s alpine lake, another 500ft UP – SNOW, whole lotta snow. FAAANNNTASTIC!
Glissaded down a glacier swath with my nephew – Colorado fun in July 🙂
Glissading is the act of descending a steep snow- or scree-covered slope via a controlled slide on one’s feet or buttocks
Wet & cold – no worries, got it covered. 20 minutes away, finished our day at a mineral springs in Idaho Springs. Temps topped out at 115°F. Hot, soothing & relaxing – super end to a super fun day.
Friday’s plans? Mt. Bierstadt, my family’s first 14er.
Glissading in July — only in Colorado 🙂
Lebanon Silver Mine
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