Calm Among the Storm

Change and growth. Two of the most sought after, yet jolting occurrences in life.

I've experienced a wee bit of both of these in the past few years, and per the usual, I'm heavily into another cycle of it now. With all of the busy I've been dealing with, I jumped on an opportunity to spend a little quiet time in the mountains with the 'rents this weekend. Best decision ever.

I spent most of Saturday just slowly driving through the valleys. Through Summit County, Climax Pass, Leadville, then I stopped in one of my beloved spots: Twin Lakes.

Mt. Elbert from the Town of Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes in the Spring

I spent a little time peering at a few deer by the lake, watching the fishermen, and walking up on a naked lady butt peeing on a rock (oops!).

Next stop, Buena Vista. The river walk area has always been one of my favorites.

Can you see the kayaks up river?

Down river highlights what an absolutely gorgeous day it was.

I left the river walk and perused down the street towards Cottonwood Pass & Cottonwood Lake. After making it almost to the top of the (closed) pass, I stumbled upon the cutest little lake and resort, Rainbow Lake Resort. I might have passed a private property sign (just maybe), but I ran into the cutest couple who owned the place and were terrifically friendly. They teach fly fishing and let you rent row boats to play on the private lake.

Also, I stopped and wandered around a place I've always wanted to check out: Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. One day soon I will relax in a tiny hot pool in Chalk Creek.

After running into the folks and enjoying a delicious dinner with a couple beers at Boathouse Cantina in Salida, Saturday was called to an end.

Waking up Sunday, we set out to St. Elmo the old ghost mining town way up on Mt. Princeton.  Reading the signs on the old buildings labeling them the General Store and the School House along with the year they were built (most around the 1880's) proved interesting. Along the way, the bighorn sheep, deer, pika and chipmunks were out in hoards, giving us a majestic sight around unexpected bends. We turned down a tiny, rocky road noting a direction to "Iron City". After passing a campground we stumbled upon a historic cemetery, The Iron City Cemetery. Majority of the markers dated back to the early 1800's and the entrance included a sign noting the lives of the people buried there (archived here).

The Iron City Cemetery

We spent a couple hours just reading graves and talking about the lives that these people must have led. It boggles my mind to think of the hard lives they lived and the miles they traveled to get to this remote area.

Driving down the bumpy road a few miles brought us upon an old mill. It had a historical marker, but I'm still unable to find any information on it.

Curious Old Mill

A couple more miles brought us to a beautiful ravine view of the river. A perfect perspective to close my day.

Overall, I spent less than two days in the crisp mountain air, but it was all I needed to clear my head.

...and re-awaken my inner adventurer.