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 2^nd 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