Capitol Reef National Park

Big crowds in the National Parks on Labor Day Weekend!

Line of one.

(Probably why we like this park so much!)

There is a thin line of yellow and gray sandstone that contains uranium. 

Early prospectors began searching  for the metal in 1904.

(Mines located at lower right of photo)

It was thought to have valuable medicinal properties.

Radioactive ore from these mines was packed into pouches and worn around the neck, or it was crushed and mixed into water and consumed as a ‘health tonic.’

By 1950 the US Atomic Energy Commission encouraged the mining of Uranium. Companies were allowed to build roads, dig mines, and construct camps in the National Park. However, little Uranium  was found.

Help!

It's easy to get lost in the rocks.

Glad we could find "The Gifford House"

( we stop and get our peach pies every time we come through this area!)

Yes, this is a worthwhile National Park to visit,

(Look at the crowds!😊)

 

Ouray- Yankee Boy Basin

I have been wanting to see "The Bear" at Glen Eyrie, but never did.

Today was my lucky day!!

On the way to Yankee Boy Basin, this little guy crossed the road in front of us and stopped his journey down hill to take a look at us.  He was young and quite curious.  ( and so cute!) 

 

He kept coming a little closer, and was looking like he might jump up on the side of the truck for a handout.

Lou couldn't see him from the drivers side, so he finally took my advice to drive on after I told him that the bear might jump up on the side of the truck.

The view of the basin is wonderful,

and the twin waterfalls are a favorite.

Fun by all

When we are here in July the Columbines are in full bloom.

The fall colors are coming and are lovely.

Too bad we won't be here another couple of weeks.

A nice stay and now we head home.

* 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.