Thursday, August 18, 2016

Colorado: Here and There - Aug 9 - 11

I am so far behind documenting our trip, so I thought today I would do a short burst of photo events to catch up.
 
Argo Gold Mine & Mill tour...Aug 9:

Touring the Argo Gold Mine and Mill was on the top of Sawyer's to do list.  
 This tour might not be so interesting to some, but to walk through and see the process of mining gold in the late 1800's, early 1900's was amazing.
 
Heading inside the gold mine. I don't like enclosed places, but the alternative was being on a mountain side listening to a thunderstorm approach. Lightening on the mountain, no thanks.
 
Inside....it was cool and damp. It has a constant temperature in the 50's.
The story behind how they removed tons and tons of rock to break down to get to the gold was amazing and way too long to tell here.

Panning for gold. We actually found a few flakes.
 
 
Pontoon Boat Ride...Aug 10:
 
We spent a couple of hours on the water. The scenery is some of the same that I've been posting, but from the water you get a different perspective of this beautiful mountain range.
 

Breathtaking Beauty!
 


Lidia, Sawyer and Emily



 I love that face! He's concentrating on driving the boat.
  
Lidia

This wrapped up Lidia and Sawyer's visit with us. One last trip to the pool...Lidia swam 20 laps...and then it was packing and rest for the next day's trip back home. Cliff and I loved having Lidia and Sawyer share our Colorado trip with us. It's bound to be a tradition.
 
 
Biked to Frisco and back...Aug 11:
 
Emily, Lidia and Sawyer had to leave today for home. Since Cliff had a lunch date with Jason, he drove the kids to the airport, while I stayed behind. I took advantage of my time with a bike ride to Frisco and back.
 
Total miles: 13.64     Total time: 1:34 hours

My view of the bike ride.
 
So peaceful!

Of course, beautiful flowers...

....not only enjoyed by me, but this hummingbird loving them, too.
 
 
Later, today, after Cliff returned...we took a hike on the Soda Creek Trail.
 
Soda Creek Trail....Aug 11:
 
Total miles: 1.7
 
This was a relaxing and pretty hike.






A new flower for me. I'll need to do a little research to find the name of this one.




So many pretty flowers dotted here and there.
 
Are your eyes crossing, yet? I know I've overloaded you on photos, but I have so much to share. I'll stop here for today and pick up again tomorrow.
 
See you then,
Laurie
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 


18 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures! I love the sky in the picture you took during your bike ride. And the view of the mountains from the lake as well. Lidia has really gorgeous hair!

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    1. Thank you, Sara! It's hard to keep from taking pictures....every time I turn around, I'm saying, "Oh my gosh"!

      I wish I had half of Lidia's hair. It is so thick!

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  2. What a wonderful trip y'all had! You did a great job of documenting it. The blue flower is a Gentian of some sort. I'm not up on my western species. Looking forward to more of those glorious images.

    Jim Fowler, Greenville. SC

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    1. Oh gosh, thanks Jim! You've given me a lot to go on to identify this flower. I haven't had a chance to read your last post, but it's on my to do list, today! Can't wait!

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  3. Wow! These photos are awesome, Laurie. I have never been to Colorado but it is one of the many states I hope to visit before I sign off. What a great trip to go on with Lidia and Sawyer and one they will remember always!

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    1. I can certainly recommend the Dillon area, Lynne. There is so much here to see and do. We feel so blessed to have shared this trip with Lidia and Sawyer and I think they feel the same.

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  4. Your photos are like mine..Jacques ..the Littles..keep me out of them:)
    Great shots again Laurie!
    I would pick ON the water 100% over in a gold mine..did you see the movie The 33?

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    1. HaHa, Monique....it's so true. I stay behind the camera where I'm most comfortable. No, I've never seen that movie. I'm guessing it's scary! Probably a good thing I didn't see it.

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  5. Laurie, I love going along on your trip. I would love to do the panning thing one time. Those grandkids have to be in good shape. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you, Susie! Panning was fun. I found a few flakes of gold and a blue stone...never did find out what it was, but it was big enough to make a ring or necklace. Yep, L&S had to be in top shape...we kept them busy.

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  6. All of your photos could be framed and hung on the wall! Such beautiful scenery it almost looks unreal. What a wonderful time you showed the kids. So many memories for them . . . and, well, you and Cliff, too!

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    1. Thanks, Judy! You are so sweet to say such kind words. Yep, so many memories! We'll be talking about them for a long time.

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  7. Undoubtedly breathtaking views across the water to the peaks! I'm sure the kids would go back in a heartbeat!
    Awesome shot of the hummingbird at the flowers!

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    1. Thanks much, Christine! I saw another hummingbird just outside our condo yesterday...he was a fatty! Lol!

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  8. The purple flower is a gentian. Local lore says that when they start to bloom it's 6 more weeks until snow. I've seen some, too, but I'm pretending I didn't. I'd like to have a little fall here in the mts before the snow starts falling! Lovely photos of your visit.

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    1. Thanks again Barb for the name of the flower. A blogging friend from my home state of SC said he thought that it was Gentian. Wow! Six more weeks until snow....I don't blame you for wanting to have a little fall. I love snow, but I should would hate missing out on all those Aspens when the leaves change.

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