St Elmo -Boom Town in the 1880's

St Elmo - in the mountains above Buena Vista, Colorado

A boom town with discovery of silver in 1880.

Today, it is  one of the most intact 'ghost towns' in the West, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Today it was filled with lots of tourists, ATV's, and kids.

About 50 people live here year round, but 50,000 visit annually.

    

                      THEN                                                                      NOW

Lovely inside with lots of thoughtful restorations.

Maybe the ghost lives here.

There are private property owners here, 

but I didn't notice that this one was for sale.

"Camping" in Castle Pines (Denver)

Our "campground" for the week - Todd's driveway

We used to volunteer with SOWERS, 

but this time we helped with a few chores (like weeding) ---

This house has an unlimited amount of projects to do.

Then there is playing with the kids.

Learning about static electricity 

( and who can get the biggest shock)

A walk in the neighborhood -

lots of deer at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Julie said that there was a huge stag like this at her front door

and that it just kept staring at her (scary!)

Baby Luke's first birthday😀

Such a cutie!

Evan enjoys all his toys - 

I think this is a Batman car.

Sometimes it is SO HARD know which one to play with! 

(and there is more)

Lou and I had lunch in Castle Rock 

(a small town with lots of history of the 'Wild West')

This building was the watering hole for quarry workers, 

ranchers and travelers in the 1890's.  Brawls were common and extra deputies were hired to patrol on paydays.  They also had to keep the inebriated cowboys from riding their horses through the bar.

Todd is certainly enjoying his kids.

It was a good week and fun to spend time with the kids.