New Trail at Tabor Lake

 

Several years in the making, the new pedestrian trail around Tabor Lake in Wheat Ridge provides wonderful views of the Front Range foothills, and the occasional storm front. The new trail also allows access to the Clear Creek Greenbelt from Van Gordon Street. Stop by the new shelter at the trail's western end for a quiet respite.

Power Station at Lake Estes

 

Rising like a skeleton castle above Lake Estes, the Estes Powerplant substation is part of the 90-year-old Colorado-Big Thompson Project. This hydroelectric plant has a rated capacity of 45,000 kW through three generators.

Busy Day at Cloud Gate

 

Late morning on a cloudy Tuesday during our annual Thanksgiving visit to Chicago.

We took the time to sight-see this object, typically referred to as The Bean. It's a massive, 110-ton public art sculpture at Grant Park designed to resemble liquid mercury. Its 168 highly polished stainless steel plates are welded together with no visible seams to create a mirror-like surface that reflects both the visitors and the city skyline.

Since its unveiling in 2004, the Bean is likely the most photographed location in the city.

Take Home Ribs

 

A highlight of our annual Thanksgiving pilgrimage to Chicago came when we dined with friends at Twin Anchors Restaurant and Tavern, world famous for their slow-cooked ribs. Here, Devera carries the few ribs that were left for our take home.

Hallway at Santa Fe Convention Center

 

The Santa Fe Convention Center features an 18,000 sq. ft., column-free ballroom, a landscaped courtyard and is located in the heart of the city's downtown. This outdoor hallway traverses the south side of the building, along Marcy Street. 

Antique Gas Station in Lakewood

 

Dedicated in September 2024, this relocated and rebuilt 1930s-era gasoline filling station is an element of the Heritage Lakewood exhibits at Belmar Park. As part of an exhibit of four revitalized buildings and an outdoor music venue, the site recalls when US 40 on West Colfax Ave. in Lakewood was the Gateway to the Rocky Mountains.

Welcome to Dodge City

 

On US 283 heading into town from the east, this ominous silhouette of Old West cowboys welcomes visitors to Dodge City, KS. Once known as the wickedest town in the West, Dodge City entertains visitors with Old West shootouts, scenic tours of local historic sites and an overlook of a sprawling livestock feedlot.

 

Horses Not Welcome

 

At the western entrance to the Bass Lake boardwalk in the Clear Creek Greenbelt, warning signs advise that horses are not allowed. The rule has been in place since the big stampede back in 1902 that forever changed where horses were allowed to roam.

The sign is real but the story is not.

Walking Clear Creek Trail Before the Rain

 

Bertie sniffs while Devera tugs.

Our holiday weekend walk around the Clear Creek Trail in Golden, one of our favorite local recreational outings.

Clouds Reflected at West Lake

 

On the last day of winter, Bertie and I paused to reflect on the mirror image of clouds appearing on the surface of West Lake, a small body of water along the Clear Creek Trail in Wheat Ridge.

Can I Get Down Now.

 

After our walk at Van Bibber Open Space in Arvada, Bertie grudgingly posed for a glamour shot with the Front Range foothills as a backdrop.

Steam Engine Looks Good for Its Age

 

Engine No. 60 was built by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works in 1886. It was operated by the Utah and Northern Railroad as Engine No. 263 until the owner, Union Pacific, transferred it and four others to operator Denver, Leadville & Gunnison Railroad in 1890. Eventually, Southern & Colorado assumed control of UPs narrow-gage rail lines and renumbered all engines.

Old No. 60 is proudly on display at the Idaho Springs City Hall with informational signs recognizing the beneficial relationship between nascent mining development in the Colorado mountains and late 19th Century railroad companies.

Train of the Stars

Serving at the tail end of the famous Santa Fe Super Chief passenger train, this luxury sleeper and observation car was designated "Navajo" on its route from Chicago to Los Angeles from the 1930s to the 1960s. It now resides among the collection of locomotives and other rolling stock on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum, in Golden, CO.

 

You Can Take Me for a Walk Now

 

After the presents were opened, Bertie suggested we forego the ball-chasing in the yard and go directly to the park for a walk on Christmas Day.

It's an Actual Phone

Posted as comment to a friend's Facebook feed: Spent much of my working life at a desk talking on the phone. Now working from home, having a land-line and actual desk phone somehow improves productivity and allows me to lean back and put my feet up.

This AT&T-branded phone will Bluetooth to my mobile phone allowing for the angry hang-up when needed.

Tri-Corner Geodetic Survey Marker

 Geodetic marker installed at the Tri-Corner monument where Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas meet. Marker text (along outer ring): U.S. Department of the Interior | Bur of Land Management, and (first inner ring) Unlawful to Disturb | Cadastral Survey 1990

The marker is mounted on a low concrete pedestal inside a 15x15 site enclosed by cattle panel fencing. My photo as taken Oct. 11, 2024, on a day-trip to eastern Colorado on my motorcycle. This is one of five tripoints around Colorado's state line

Made It to the Top, Chimney Rock

A bit of a hike but I made it to the Great House ruins atop the Chimney Rock National Monument. Spectacular views and the U.S. Forest Service guides were happy to tell the story of this historic site.

 

Quiet Orediggers Home Field

The finishing touches are all in place and Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium, home to the School of Mines Orediggers football team, is ready for another exciting season as they kick off against West Texas A&M on Sept. 5, 2024.

 

Vista at YMCA of the Rockies

 

View from south of the basketball courts at YMCA of the Rockies includes this majestic skyline of adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park.

Afternoon at Bents Old Fort

  

Early Colorado history was faithfully recreated when the U.S. National Parks Service, with help from the State of Colorado, built this replica of Bents Old Fort, near La Junta, CO. The original was built in 1833 and it was one of the first permanent trading posts along the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was a thriving meeting place for fur traders, merchants and local tribes. This view shows the courtyard and shaded walkway for the dry goods storage rooms along the north side of the fort.