* Rocky Mountain High. *

We enjoy the Silverton/Ouray mountains so much that a Jeep rental is 

THE way to go!

Getting an early start with the brilliant reflection of the sun shining on the 

Red Mountain (#1)

Lots of these view are enough to take your breath away

(as in - "What's on the other side?"

Many times the upcoming switchbacks are not even visible until you have to turn.

Truly- 

"Breathtaking experiences!"

If you don't rent a Jeep, the tours are a good way to go-

especially open air for full viewing potential and full enjoyment of all the 

bumps and rough road.

I know we've been here before, but the view is totally awe inspiring!

(and the ride up is such a trip!)

View of 'the other side'

Another rocky road to get here, and I literally had to hang on to the sign

because the ground is so steep.

(By the way for you Utahn's- It is pronounced Hurri-CANE!)

Lake Como

Not the one in Italy, but Ouray is called Switzerland of America

We just keep winding through these gorgeous mountains.

There are so many abandoned mines (120) that fill this 30 square mile area.

It is pretty mind boggling to think of what was required to get the gold out, 

and get it transported to to the cities.

Animas Flats was a thriving city in the 1875-1910

Now the population is zero, 

but at lunch time it's very crowded with all the Jeeps and ATV;s

Lou pretty much wants to explore all the roads

even if it means driving through the river.

After a full day of bouncing around in the Jeep, the Hot Springs are terrific!

My phone registered that we took 14,024 steps. 

That seems about right for the number of bumps in the Jeep.

I'm thinking that my favorite Hot Spring is the ones I am in.

Lou is enjoying his own corner of this pool 

and marveling at the scenery.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

 I was wanting to see the gold mining town of Cripple Creek

(especially because that is the only tune I had learned on the banjo.)

A beautiful drive from Glen Eyrie

We were surprised at the terrain - it seemed so unlike other old mining towns because it was flat and spread out.

We learned that this area is the 'crater' of a huge ancient volcano.

Cripple Creek was the last major gold rush in 1891.

Today they are still mining (open pit).

Today's "Gold Rush"  is massive building of hotels-

with casinos- of course.

Kind of ruins the neat old mining town atmosphere.

😖😖😖

This was an empty lot with painting of murals 

to show the old time Cripple Creek town.

You can still take a  ride on an authentic old train.  

The trip did not inspire me to go home and take up the banjo to relearn the tune of  Cripple Creek.

Now we leave for Buena Vista.

This and That

 The ROCK TOUR at Glen Eyrie

AKA

GEOLOGY TOUR

(from the Biblical point of view)

This was one of our favorites.

We have done several geologic tours  from Creation Scientists with the 

"young earth" point of view, (does not mention the billions of years).

This was excellent and presented in a short and concise manner.

Our guide pointed out the Tapeat layer of sandstone (light colored layers) on each side of the Queens Canyon, but at different levels, due to fault line shifting 

(plate techtonics and earth quake movement)

The Tapeat sandstone layer is on top of the "Basement Rock" which is granite. All of the flood sediments were deposited on top of the basement rock. Linda has her right hand on the granite basement rock and her left hand on the sandstone layer that was deposited during the flood. NO fossils are found below this line only in the sandstone layers above. 

This line also appears at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is called the "The Great Unconformity"

Our guide was saying that we should look at these kinds of rock displays 

with wonder.

(I wonder how this could happen??)

Our guide explained how these sandstone layers could have been shifted from horizontal to vertical (standing straight up) by the large amount of fault line shifting at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Geologists have determined that these sand layers were deposited underwater

because the angles of the layers are different underwater than in the air.

Interesting how these layers of limestone got tilted and also curved

which seems to indicate that the layers of sand were still soft and pliable at the time of shifting.

END OF GEOLOGY LESSON!

*****

Next Door Neighbor-

Garden of the Gods

This is such a beautiful, special place.

All of these skinny layers are so intriguing.

A very pleasant 'hike' (with lots of other 'tourists')

Fun to see the rock climbing lesson

Up, up and away.

If he made it much further, I don't think we could see him.

Love these interesting rocks.

Good Photo Op's

This is one of my favs - back at Glen Eyrie.

We're glad to get back 'home'

(10 minutes away)

It has been a great month!

Serving with the SOWERS, and enjoying God's beauty spots.

Eagle Lake Campground and "High Tea" at the castle

Eagle Lake Campground

This was the "extra gift" to Glen Eyrie.

300 acres as a gift - as long as they would use it for a youth camp.

It's fun to sit and relax and see the games and activities they have up here.

A new zip line is being installed for next year's camp.

These cabins sleep 7 campers and a counsellor.

Can you imagine the youngsters with no heat, electricity, or wi-fi??

Many games and steep terrain at the 9,000 foot level keep the kids active.

The view from the Infirmary

They think that this is the original hunting cabin of General Palmer.

If we come here to serve next year, Lou will enjoy fishing.

They say that all the fish are 18"-22" and the fishing vehicles are provided!

HIGH TEA at THE CASTLE

Our "tea" menu includes one item from each of the 3 trays.

Bottom

Egg salad sandwich, Goat cheese sandwich, Canapé with shrimp and cucumber.

Middle

Strawberry scone, strawberry butter spread.

Top

Honey-lavender mouse, Pistachio macaroon

For a small amount of food, it was very filling.

(Probably won't do that one again)

 

End of our SOWERS work 'month' at Glen Eyrie, Colorado

 

The Castle is the most famous centerpiece.

Our large group of happy campers 

Front row: 

John and Julie Weideman, Steve and Diane Hahn (GL's), Joel and Darlene Pitts.

Back Row:

Leroy and Donna Pease, Earl and Judy DeVries, Lou and Linda Scheideman, Jean and Marlyn and Jean Netsch.

Such lovely gardens --they need lots of weeding!

The first week all ladies are on task.

--and having a wonderful time.

Lou is repairing stair railings at the plant.

Earl is cleaning out the drainage ditch.

Other steps and railings getting repaired and painted.

All the men worked on repainting this cabin.

A job well done, Steve, Lou and Marlyn

This is the "sewing SOWERS" crew for weeks 2 and 3.

Jeanie, Judy ( the cheerleader) and Linda

We are working on Madrigal Costumes for the Christmas event at The Glen.

This is serious business!

Especially when the directions for a skirt turned out to be kinda large!

A perfect end to a wonderful week and a great crew.

Rudy's Texas style BBQ.

And such wonderful scenery.

God's beautiful handiwork.