A Giant Step Back in Time

What better way to welcome fall to the mountains than by taking a giant step back in time? 

Say to an 1880s mining town.

On the way to South Park City, the weather was absolutely perfect in the high 70s, 

with a brilliant blue sky and not a drop of rain in sight. 

It made the trip across the Continental Divide even more breathtaking 

as entire hillsides magically turned to gold.

We spent the day near our mountain cabin visiting a reconstructed "ghost town" 

that recalled the romance of a by-gone era.

The town has a fascinating history.
In 1957 more than 40 original historic buildings were moved to a common site 

where an authentic mining town now called South Park City was born.

More than 40,000 artifacts and furnishings were donated to the project by local residents 

and today these original buildings stand in tribute to that time.

After gold was discovered in this area, mining camps sprang up in every gulch and gully.
Soon the hills were dotted with towns with such colorful names as
Buckskin Joe, Eureka, and Horseshoe.

While there were various reconstructions such as saloons
(there were probably a LOT more than just this one) . . . 

 train stations . . . 

and mines, 

my favorites were the recreations of pioneer homes. 

I couldn't help but think about our own little cabin that had been moved from this area 

and how it might have been used back in the day.

Plus I discovered lots of ideas on how to decorate our cabin.
I love this idea of using old newspapers as wallpaper.
The miners used layers of newspaper as insulation in their cabins. 

Fairplay loves its burros, the patient and sure-footed animals that were
largely responsible for the success of the mining operations.

Besides its famous Brown Burro Cafe, Fairplay hosts an annual burro race,
running approximately 30 miles through the mountains. 

Even the high school mascot is called the Burros!
I just love that!

Besides loving burros, the town of Fairplay in the real South Park
was the inspiration for the South Park animated TV series.

And, of course, like anyone else who has enjoyed "South Park" on TV,

we just had to get our photos taken as those characters! 

Such a fun and educational day.
With wooden sidewalks and a wide dirt road down the middle of town, it felt so realistic.
I have to say this was the best historic recreation I've ever visited.

If you're in the area, I highly recommend a visit. 

Take Hwy. 285 south out of Denver to Fairplay. It's just under two hours' drive. 

Exit at Fairplay. Turn left off of Main Street to Front Street and go to the end of the paved street. 

Then take a giant step back in time.

***

I'd love for you to follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's free) in the upper right corner of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thank you!!!

***

Return to the Country

A visit to the country is always a welcome relief from busy city life 

but it's especially nice when the country is my sister's farm in rural Ohio. 

Jan, Ron and their son Brad call it the Dead End Ranch.

I love farm animals and this goofy goat seemed to be saying "Welcome!"

The views on the farm were never ending

and I could feel my shoulders relaxing a bit more each day I was there.

One can't help but take a deep breath looking out over the fields.

You know you're in the country when you're awakened by a crow instead of an alarm clock.

As peaceful as the farm was I couldn't wait to explore the countryside a bit. 

The usual fall display of colors was sadly missing this October 

but the massive old barns dotting the rolling hills made up for it.

Along the way, we saw some charming old vine-covered buildings,

an old spring house along the road where people still fill their jugs, 

and an abandoned church with an old cemetery.

I couldn't get enough of these sweet funny farm animals and wanted to "play" with them all day.

Relunctantly we moved on as there was more awaiting us as we drove into Amish country.

Once you get away from the touristy main street, this area is magical.

I just loved the pristine farms. Everything was so clean and tidy . . .

even the furry cows looked like they'd just had a shampoo!

But the real treat was spotting an Amish horse and buggy. These horses were magnificent 

and the buggies made you feel like you'd stepped back into a simpler time.

The horses and buggies even had their own parking spots.

 I was careful not to photograph any of the Amish people as they prefer not to 

have their pictures taken. That didn't stop me from snapping the beautiful horses and buggies.

It made sense there would be buggy and carriage shops in this part of the state.

Wish I could have bought this sign!

We finally said goodbye to Amish country and headed back to the farm . . .

where my sister's peaceful farmhouse awaited our return.
The best part of this trip was, of course, spending time with family. 

It was good to be home.

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.

Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.

You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.

Thank you!!

***

Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, Little Farmstead, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,
A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane, Katherine's Corner,
My Thrift Store Addiction, French Country Cottage, Designthusiasm

Tag Along on a Historic Home Tour

Fall is the perfect time for home tours. 

One of our favorite activities, home tours offer an opportunity to peek inside beautiful houses
while strolling through some lovely neighborhoods. 

A home tour in the Historic Baker District in Denver gave us a chance to visit six eclectic homes 

including Queen Annes, Victorians, Classic Cottages, Bungalows, Denver Squares
and even a Hobo Craftsman. 

Baker was first developed in the 1870s and currently has about 5,000 residents. 

We enjoyed walking from home to home on old sandstone sidewalks
in this quirky neighborhood of red brick and frame houses.

It was easy to imagine the carriage houses behind the main house stabling horses while 

streetcars clanged up and down nearby Broadway, a main avenue leading to downtown Denver. 

The houses are all a little different and are well maintained and creatively painted.

Buildings here are tightly packed,
some having only a few inches between them.

Most of the houses were built in the 1890s and early 1900s.

While many of these houses have been renovated, we enjoyed seeing original features 

such as this transom window with metal hardware,

this beautiful blue tile fireplace with a distinctive sculpted frieze,

and even an original doorbell knob that turned manually.
And it still works!

Our tour ended with a Hobo Craftsman built in 1928 for $100.

Constructed with recycled materials, the eclectic home is filled with art and unusual collections.

There are several cobblestone out buildings on the large lot, 

some used by transients during the Depression.

This home tour on a crisp fall day gave us a new appreciation
for this unique Denver neighborhood
and a better feel for the history of its people. 

My kind of perfect day. 

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thank you!!

***

Linking with:
Shabby Art Boutique, Blue Willow House, Little Farmstead, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Stone Gable, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,
A Delightsome Life, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane, Katherine's Corner,
My Thrift Store Addiction, French Country Cottage

My Happy Place

My favorite thing about living in Denver is being so close to the mountains. 

From my front door in the city to a peaceful mountain meadow is only about 40 minutes. 

So, on the day before my birthday, I was happy to trek up to Mt. Falcon Park for a weekday hike.

Although this open space can be crowded on the weekends, weekdays are much quieter 

with mostly older hikers, a few shiny black ravens and an occasional hummingbird.

My happy place!

Signs are posted to be aware and alert to other denizens like bears and mountain lions. 

Although I've seen a few deer and a black Abert's squirrel, I've yet to have a "surprise encounter."

These bear-proof garbage cans do remind you to stay on your toes!

A loop trail encircles this lovely green meadow and the great thing about it is ... it's fairly flat!

The meadows are dotted with amazing rock outcroppings.

You might see an occasional mountain biker on the trail. Although they are generally polite to hikers, we noticed a new sign saying bikers with "bad behavior" would be fined. 

One of the most amazing things about Mt. Falcon is its castle,

not something you'd expect to find in the mountains. 

Now in ruins, this historical site is bittersweet to explore. 

Built in 1909 by John Brisben Walker, a self-made millionaire who owned Cosmopolitan 

magazine among other investments, this was once a grand home with ten bedrooms, 

five fireplaces, a music room, an observation deck and servants quarters.

Tragically, Mrs. Walker died just seven years after the mansion was built. 

Two years later, the house was struck by lightning and burned down. 

Although Mr. Walker left his dream house behind, the four thousand acres 

he'd purchased became what is now Mt. Falcon Park.

By preserving this beautiful land, Walker left a wonderful legacy that many people enjoy today. 

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.

Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.

You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.

Thank you!!!

***

Linking with:
Little Farmstead, Dwellings, Everyday Living, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm,
Cedar HIll Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, A Delightsome Life,
Have a Cup of Mrs. Olson, 21 Rosemary Lane, Katherines Corner, My Thrift Store Addiction,
French Country Cottage