One of the days I was in Colorado last week, my daughter-in-law suggested that we take a ride on Interstate 70 towards the Rocky Mountains to escape the 90 degree weather in Denver. I-70 is the main interstate east/west highway that connects most of the ski towns in the mountains, so it is a very busy highway in the winter. Luckily, the time of day we traveled it traffic was light and I enjoyed looking at the views of the green and pretty foothills along the way.
We passed many a mine shaft along the way. Colorado has a rich mining heritage, beginning with the discovery of gold in 1859, and the industry in this mineral rich state continues to evolve. The following minerals are produced in significant amounts in Colorado: coal, gold, gypsum, limestone, silver, molybdenum, soda ash and sodium bicarbonate. Sand, gravel, and crushed stone are also mined.
We decided to stop at the small town of Idaho Springs, Colorado, an old gold rush town.
It was a fun place to walk around and explore for an afternoon.
Beautiful Victorian buildings line Miner Street, and date back 149 years to when the town was a bustling mining town.
Many of the buildings have historical markers on them that told their history.
Most are now delightful shops, galleries, antique stores and restaurants. Nearby attractions are the Indian Hot Springs and the Argo Gold Mill Mine and Museum where a visitor can learn how to pan for gold!
We stopped at Azteca Mexican restaurant for lunch and had delicious giant burritos!
The town of Idaho Springs was also full of many charming cottages.
This pretty pink one was one of the largest!
Visiting Idaho Springs was a fun day!
I'm linking to "Outdoor Wednesday" on Susan's blog A Southern Daydreamer, and "Pink Saturday" event on Beverly's blog How Sweet The Sound. Thanks, Susan and Beverly for hosting these nice events on your blogs every week!
What a quaint and adorable little town, it looks so perfect, almost like a movie set! And those cottages, I want one! Don't know how the Colorado winters are, though. xo,
ReplyDeleteLooks like the kind of place I would love to visit!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you...your grandsons are adorable!
You really packed a lot into your visit to Colorado Pat. This town looks like an American original...loved the architecture both in the downtown area and those fantastically colorful houses. That last picture was just perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat little town, Pat... Love that pink house!!!!!! Cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Georgetown -but never to Idaho Springs... Love it.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Pat. I-70 has been a well traveled road for us for many years. We went out West for several years while we headed for the surrounding ski resorts to ski. It was so much fun. Cold, and fun. We always rented a condo. Those were the days.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are having a wonderful trip with your darling family.
Hugs, Jeanne
What a fun place to spend the day. I'm glad you are getting some "Western" time, and it is always nice to be with children.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful overall view of this place!! The many different aspects of it, you make me really want to go! That shaft looking thing in the mining picture, what is it's purpose? I ADORE the pink cottage!! The shops all look so inviting, and your plate of food so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI love the cottages! I am wondering - are you changing Brooklyn for Denver? So much in both places!
ReplyDeleteLove the old town feel, and those cute beautiful houses!
ReplyDeleteMust be a very well visited tourist spot!
LOVED this post!! I have been to Idaho Springs several times. Colorado is a 13 hour drive from the DFW area and we drove it three times a year to enjoy the great weather there! The only season I skipped was spring. That is a muddy month there. I so enjoyed seeing all the photos adn being able to 'travel' once again - thanks to you!
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ReplyDeleteThat is a very quaint little town. Looks like it would be a fun place to vist, with all those cute little stores and all the pretty little houses.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me from over Outdoor Wednesday.
xoxo Bunny Jean
Home to Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party1
What a beautiful country that is. I love that little city Idaho Springs. IT looks like one of this old mining cities in the movies. Gorgeous. And all the lovely cottages. Very nice. Thank you for showing and sharing.
ReplyDeleteRiet
I want to go to Idaho Springs and see that gorgeous pink house!! Oh wow!! What a lovely pretty and very very beautifully preserved town - beautiful!! Awww great to see your grandson too looking all grown up!
ReplyDeleteGiant burritos? Yes please! Take care
x
Love those houses! And what a great suggestion from your DIL! Those bright blue shoes are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to spend the day. Beautiful town. The grands look like they had a good time too.
ReplyDeleteI can tell that I would love visiting Idaho Springs! Pat, you little grandson is growing up so fast, just like my Little Man. I know you enjoyed spending time with both of them and your daughter. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful day! Your pics during the drive are great, the little shops so quaint (love the stained glass) and the cottages are just too cute:@)
ReplyDeleteThat brings up a question. Is Central City still there and in operation? We used to go through Idaho Springs to go up there. But that was in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteSheesh I'm getting old.
Just a quick note.... I am having a Halloween Giveaway... Come on over!!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
What a great visit! You certainly packed a lot of fun into your visit with the Grands :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great town to explore!
ReplyDeleteThe air looks so clean and clear and the colors so bright! I would not have expected Victorian architecture.
ReplyDeleteDelightful!
Life must be very good with that delightful little guy! :)
I love all the little mountain towns out there. They paint the houses with such fun colors. And the flowers in the cooler mountains are so glorious.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! Love the photos of family and love the photos of town and the charming, charming cottages. Makes me want to move there and restore one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this dear Pat,
Sharon
Oh what fun! That's my kind of town to enjoy visiting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely town and on a beautiful route. Did you find your cooler temps? I've done some wonderful hiking in the the Colorado Rockies and hold warm memories.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of those Victorian cottages - they look like ice cream! What a fun place to visit.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine being there during the gold rush times? It must have been very exciting and thrilling all at once. Cute town too.
ReplyDeleteSam
I am finally getting a chance to catch up after the storm and losing power for 5 days...then days of cleaning and activity over the holiday weekend...and I am glad I got back in time to visit Colorado with you! Love these photos...especially that cute little boy:)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I taught in Idaho Springs in the '60's and '70's and loved it. I lived in the castle, built in 1870 by the governor of British Columbia and modeled after the family castle in England. It was built, in part, by Chinese workers, who used a Chinese design above the windows. Teddy Roosevelt's secretary of war owned it at one point. It is a private residence. There is fascinating history, good architecture, and interesting areas to explore in Clear Creek County Your photos did a beautiful job of portraying Idaho Springs. Thanks for posting. It brings back warm memories.
ReplyDeleteThis is a change from the "big city" photos. I really liked the houses in Idaho Springs. It's hard to imagine anyone not being cheerful with those colours!
ReplyDelete-Karen
I've enjoyed catching up on your recent blog posts! Even though I've been to Denver and CO several times, I've loved seeing it through your camera. Wonder if you ate at the Casa Bonita ... we ate there many, many years ago and have always remembered it. It was fun to eat there again a few years ago and find it very much as we remembered! It's a unique place. Looks like you enjoyed some special times with your grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteDarling town and I LOVED the pink house...thanks for the tour...now I wanna go there!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love the photo collage of the houses,what a fun day out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful. Do you get tired of hearing that? Loved this post. I felt as if I were traveling west too.
ReplyDeleteOh, the pink one is my favorite too. I never knew there was an Idaho Springs, Colorado, but what a charming town. Ooohh, that giant burrito is making me really hungry! So glad you teased us with that too!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline
That's the kind of day I'd like to spend Pat. i enjoy looking back in time whether it be the architecture, the things for sale in the shops - especially in the inevitable antique store or just wandering in a town that small. it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon...particularly with your dear grandsons! Glad to hear that you all had a fun afternoon!
ReplyDeleteIdaho Springs looks such a fun day trip... so pretty, such variety! LOVE that pink house--WOW! So sweet to see your family... you grandsons are sooo adorable...*sigh*... Happy Weekend, Pat ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly as I figure a typical american city! Thanks for posting those photos and make my imagination a reality!
ReplyDeleteI just googled Casa Bonita and learned it opened just about the year we were there! Amazing how it hasn't changed much in 30+ years. It's in a shopping center now but I don't think the other shops were there then. I guess to be a chef you must have diving skills. It would be a fun place to take your grand kids!
ReplyDeleteOh I want to go to Idaho Springs....it looks like a great place to visit. Your pictures are great.
ReplyDeletePat, I have driven that route, so you photos looked very familiar to me. It certainly is lovely, isn't it!! So you think 90 is hot? You should visit Tucson, and find out just what HOT really is!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and beautiful place! I love the architecture of the shops and homes. I'm sure I've driven past it several times on the way to Vail during ski season but I'm sure it's much more lovely in the summer. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI once stayed at a Pepto Bismo Pink Bed and Breakfast on Catalina Island off the coast of California. It was a lovely place to stay, but I just couldn't get used to the color!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day! It's nice t just be spontaneous like that sometimes! :)
ReplyDeleteHaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
Sarah
WOW that looks awesome! Beautiful little town and love the homes Mille!~ I also enjoyed your tribute to 9-11, it was really heartfelt and nicely written. We truly will never forget and you are so close to home, I am sure the constant reminder is always there.
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