What a way to spend our 28th anniversary!
A great tour of the 1200 mines in and around Leadville.
It all started here in California Gulch in 1860.
Soon there were over 10,000 prospectors and over $5,410,000 in gold from here.
(Almost within the 'city limits'!)
It's amazing that all these mines and tailings are so close to town.
We combed the hills with many roads like this.
Oro City - somewhere down there is the Matchless Mine,
one of the richest silver mines in Colorado
and home of Baby Doe Tabor, where she died penniless and alone.
Other mines in the area are JJ Brown- Husband of the "Unsinkable Molly Brown",
another true legacy of American history that is so typical of
Rags to Riches to Rags.
They call this "The Wedding Cake"
The Leadville Bike Path that surrounds the town is here.
We felt like we had gone to the top of the world!
Standing on the remains of one of the richest mining areas of the era.
( and the best view of the entire valley with so many of Colorado's 14 er's)
Tis a treat to peek into the history of this colorful era.
(And visit a mining town that is still an old mining town - not a casino town!)
Lunch at the historic Silver Dollar Saloon
And a prime rib dinner!Happy Anniversary with 28 wonderful years.
We are so blessed!!
