Dallas Divide...again

This summer Sharon and I are traveling around the state of Colorado, participating in arts and crafts shows. I tried to get us into 5 shows this summer, but we were turned down at one. I guess we just weren't crafty enough, but with only 4 shows we have even more time to move about and seek out old friends. By the way, changing our target audience from those at little craft bazaars to those at larger and more prestigious shows has been a good choice, so far. We are definitely finding folks looking for some of our more pricey "art".

But my blog is for tales of our travels and not an advertisement for our jewelry. So, on to the more important issue, what we are seeing.

As we were making a look-see trip to Telluride we crossed the Dallas Divide. I have published pictures before of this area before, which never fails to take my breath away. I guess it does that to Ralph Lauren (clothes) also, because he owns a 100,000 acre ranch that runs along a 7 mile stretch of the highway. This is definitely some of Colorado's finest.

This is a picture across some of LR's land. Here it is almost August and there is still a lot of snow clinging to the mountains. There was an above average snowfall last winter. It looks to me like the snow you see may last until this years winter snows starts, usually with the first snows fall on the higher elevations by mid-September.


While leaning against Ralph's fence to get my pictures, a pair of marmots popped out and began to play. One was roly poly and then there was this guy who is pretty skinny for a marmot. As I moved into position to get a few good shots, the big one went into hiding but this guy seemed to more into being photographed.


He just kinda stretched out and let me click away.


This one is just a shorty to let you know we are still out here. We are in Montrose now, but leaving tomorrow for the eastern slopes. Since the Coors brewery (last blog) we spent some time in Steamboat Springs. I will get around to putting those pictures up soon, as well as another picture or two of Golden (home to Coors brewery).

Golden, Colorado

Since we are staying in Golden, Colorado, we thought we should visit the historic downtown area. So here we go, looking down one of the main streets.


And this is a shot down Clear Creek, which runs right through downtown. Gold was discovered along this creek and that was the reason the town of Golden came into existence. It was known as the Gateway to Gold.......or something like that, sorry not to be more accurate but I am distracted. Do you see that???? There is some kind of large building down stream....what could that be??? Omigod, that writing looks like "Coors"!!!!


Well, wasn't that interesting, a brewery is here in this town. No biggy, I think we'll just hop a tour bus and see what all is in this town.... This tour guide is really skipping by most of the scenic and historic parts of town. She seems hung up on talking about some guy named Adolph with a last name like Kerrs or something.


Oh, she must have meant Coors, Adolph Coors. I think we have been shanghaied, look where she is making us get off the bus........ the driver is now telling us that the only way she will take us back to our truck is if we agree to take a tour of the Coors plant.......


Okay, as you can see, I gave in and am now on the tour. These are copper kettles where they cook stuff.....


and this is the control room where they control the cooking of the stuff......


and this is the package line, where they package stuff......I couldn't see a control room so I guess this is out of control........


and this is.....oh, no, they're making Sharon drink the "demon beer" (fresh from the bottling line)........oh, there is some for me too........well, then that's okay.......


and look at this, there's a bar at the end of the tour......they call it a "tasting room", but I know a bar when I see one........well now maybe this isn't turning out so bad after all....


Please know that no barleys are injured or killed during the manufacture of Coors beers, they are however, thoroughly fermented!!!!!!!!


Coors and Miller merged in 2008 to become MillerCoors. If you would like some factual information about them (rather than the bull I just wrote) follow the link.

The La Veta Train to Fir

Last winter we took a ride on a railway in Globe, Arizona. That railroad had been restored by Golden Spike Train Excursions. The ride we took in La Veta, Colorado, was on trains and cars restored by the Rio Grande Scenic Railroads, a sister company.

Overall these companies do a very nice job of providing an enjoyable day. This ride out of La Veta was about a 90 minute trip out and the same back. At and average speed of about 12 mph, this only made for a 17 mile ride each way. We ended up at the top of La Veta Pass at 9,400 feet, where we were entertained by an outdoor folk/western concert. Food was available, but we opted for our own peanut and jelly sandwiches. The food served at the top was a plate of barbecue that looked good, but was small and $12. I preferred my PB&J.

We left La Veta at 10:15am, arrived at the top at about noon, and returned to La Veta by 5:30pm. Little ran on time, the train was supposed to leave at 10am and return at 5pm. There was a lot of "hurry up and wait" and sometimes it seemed like the train crew had not been kept in the loop as to what was happening.

BUT, for a senior ticket price of $20 each, I could not bring myself to complain. Besides the concert was actually quite good.

The engine was diesel/electric, the cars were nicely restored and refitted, and the car staff were all very nice and helpful.


Here we unload at the top, in the hurry up and wait mode.


As you can see by the tilt to the umbrellas, the wind and rain were coming in parallel to the ground. Even though the weather was frequently "NOT" our friend during the concert, few got up to seek a sheltered vantage point. A credit to the entertainers.


At the top we were met by a steam train coming up from Alamosa (on the opposite side of the pass). Not to worry, there is a siding there specifically so the two trains can pass (as long as the engineers are in a mood for chicken).


The guy in this pic was great. I think his name was McCulloch (or something close). Folk music buffs should know him, he has 34 albums in circulation. He did half the show by himself and was thoroughly entertaining.


.......and of course the Colorado countryside was as beautiful as ever.


I give these folks a thumbs up on all fronts, despite some of the problems I mentioned. You would be hard pressed to spend a day as nice as this one any where else for $20 a head ($30 if you aren't blessed with the title "Senior").

If you hanker for more information, try these links:

More on the town of La Veta, Colorado.

About the train ride and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.