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Published: August 7th 2017
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We got up early again this morning and headed out for Winter Park, Colorado. We left at 7:42 and 63 degrees and headed west. Since the drive to Winter Park was less than three hours, we decided that we would do some Colorado sightseeing first. There certainly is plenty to see here, if you are into scenery and mountains, and we are. However, there was a lot of haze/smog/fog/smoke/clouds in the sky today. I am not sure what was hanging up there, but it interfered with the view and resulted in photos that are less than spectacular. The State of Colorado web site tells me that there are wild fires in NW Canada and NW United States and that the smoke is causing haze in Colorado. So, I have to believe that it was a combination of the smoke and, at times, a very low ceiling.
After leaving Pueblo we saw a Walmart. Now, that is not unusual wherever you go. But this one was very different. It was painted light brown and the Walmart sign background was green. It was designed to look much like a ski lodge in many respects. I wish I had photos, but I could
not get a shot from the road.
The drive took us on winding roads cut through the mountains, over the mountains, around the mountains and down through the valleys. When Beamer got out of the car at lunch time, he was eating grass. I guess the curvy roads got to his stomach. The roads were lined today with the deep colors of blue spruce and Douglas-fir, with clusters of aspens here and there breaking the monotony. And bursting out of the trees, as is often the case where roads were cut through the mountains, there were big rock faces hanging over the road, some with nets to protect cars from falling rocks. And green fields sprawled through the valleys where rivers were flowing and lakes sat quietly in the lowlands.
At 9 AM we drove through a small town called Divide at 9,165 ft. up. I wondered if it was on the Continental Divide, but it does not appear to be. The temperature was 52 degrees and everyone was walking around in short sleeves. Guess they are used to it. Shortly after this, the ceiling dropped down and visibility was very limited.
On the other side of
a long straight road through a lush green valley, we landed in Hartsel at 10 AM and 59 degrees. Not sure what was going on in this town of 677 people, but it seems like most of them were gathered in one place for something.
Moving on, we headed through the Pike National Forest to Fairplay, another tiny town of less than 700, and then we descended into Denver, the mile-high city, where all of our GPS devices got quite confused when we tried to direct them to Winter Park. It seems that the roads had changed just enough to confuse them all.
After driving up to the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, where we made sandwiches and relaxed for a few minutes, we moved on to Winter Park. Getting there requires about 18 miles of driving on a winding road that hugs the side of the mountain and provides the added challenge of multiple switchbacks. We went up one side and then back down the other into this charming little town where skiers flock all winter long.
We landed at Bob and Gloria’s condo in the early part of the afternoon and got settled. We love this
place. It is decorated with paintings created by Gloria. She really is very talented.
Tomorrow, more exploring.
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Sharon Gauert
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Winter Park
We love Winter Park. Have a timeshare there & used to go 4th of July week. Take the winding road to Estes Park. Cute little town, interesting places the eat and shop. The drive is just lovely. A very good day trip.