We took a trip out of the city on Saturday. We wanted to head into the mountains to see if we could catch any vibrant fall foliage, as well as check out Central City and Blackhawk, which are mostly known for their gambling establishments.
We passed Blackhawk and headed for Central City first because we heard it was older and would provide us our best option for being outdoors and walking around. What a great little town (I think the population is only in the 600's.) So many beautiful old buildings; thoroughly reminiscent of the Old West!! I could almost see & feel Doc Holliday marauding around the streets (and he had, according to info I picked up at the Visitor Center!!). Chris took photos of the mountains, the buildings, random structures, an old train engine and passenger car. Sadly, there are many empty buildings. There wasn't a single coffee shop ~ we saw one which had closed its doors, presumably squeezed out by the casinos where you can get free coffee & pop on the gambling floors. Ideas for filling up this quaint town rolled through my brain: B&B, coffeeshop, bistro, fitness facility, bookstore......but I just wonder how hard it is to make a living when the snow falls. But the small town feel of the place and the community activities they host are the kind of place I could settle into ~~ and hibernate for the winter months!
Blackhawk has the newer and bigger casinos, the Ameristar, the Lodge, for example. We did go in Lodge Casino, quickly passing through on our way to the older part of town, grabbing a free coffee, then promptly tossing it once we got outside as it was crap (barely lukewarm and lacking flavor). We gravitated to the boardwalk-style of old buildings, more like Central City, where we found Big Foot!!!! Inside Sasquatch Casino! We collect dollar gambling chips from the casinos in Las Vegas and had hoped to get one from Sasquatch, but they don't have table games. Darn! They did, however, have a stained glass big foot in the window....with the initials "CJ" on the little toe!
Our departure took us north along 119 toward Nederland, then east, through the canyon to Boulder (our future home), where we stopped for a brew and a small bite at Walnut Brewery. I was rewarding myself for doing all the driving ... in the mountains ... and trying not to brake, in the steep declines and twisty turns, as often as I usually have!!! That Brown Ale never tasted so good! The BBQ sliders and mashed potato meatballs weren't too shabby, either!
This weekend, I think we will, again, wander into the Rockies. Sunglasses, snacks and water on hand. This time, driving a bit more west and north, in search of the elusive vibrant fall foliage. Which may only be the yellows of the ever-abundant aspens, but we'll take it. If we are lucky, an errant red-leafed tree will give us a wink!
The leaves are amazing out here, the vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. It's all gone too quickly. Your visit to the old town sounds amazing! It's too bad big business have squeezed the life out of all of those little towns. I love the nostalgic feel of little towns. Have fun chasing the leaves.
ReplyDeleteWe decided to forego heading back into the mountains for a visit to Winter Park, as they got some snow overnite (we got rain). Instead, we will head to the Wildlife Sanctuary. We are beginning to see more leaves changing here in the city...but I would still love to see more vibrancy and more red!
Delete