Red Rocks Park

Red Rocks Visitor Center

tapestry in museum

plant growing on rock

top of amphitheater

steps to trading post

another view from the top

walkway from parking lots to visitor center and amphitheater

near parking lot

Spanish style trading post

side shot

Golden - Sweet Treats

The little cowgirls and I have been coming here for several years, and you cannot beat their great ice cream cones.

Their individually wrapped salt-water taffy is also a hit.  It is probably a sibling thing that says "Here's a gift for you when I got to go to that cool ice cream shop in Golden."

The shop is right on main street.  It has outdoor and indoor seating and friendly counter service.

They specialize in taste-before-you buy when kids at heart cannot make up their minds or want to venture into new-to-them flavors.

great cowgirl poster

great cowgirl picture

hat and another picture

window display cat and ham at our recent visit.  note ice cream and cone crumbs around her mouth

great birthday, Valentine or special-occasion gift

candy by the scoop

ice cream and sorbet case

Louisville

Here's some of my shots from Saturday's trip to Louisville.  One of the shopkeepers said that Louisville is a fun place on warm weekend night.  During the day, we saw lots of outdoor dining spaces that would be perfect for a fun or romantic night with the sweetie.

beautiful sign on side of museum

front door of museum

machinery from Louisville's coal mining history

fountain grass in front of city hall

statue of miner in front of city hall

TRASHion: Funky Junk

Every once in a while something peaks my interest enough to drive across town, and this art show by TACtile was just the ticket.

For the crafts-made-from-trash portion of the exhibit, click here.

old history notes backed by contact paper

used coffee filters

dryer sheets

leftover fabric sewed round and round

canvas drop cloth splattered with paint

Golden's Cowboy Cafe

Look at the cute cowboy motif while eating breakfast or lunch.  

another sign out by the road

out by road

side of the cafe

Advertisement for Wild West Days in 1917

window into the kitchen

"We use Smith & Wesson"

old-time boarding room sign?

$5 charge for whining

old door knob as a purse or coat holder

art work in cowgirls' bathroom

Robinson Hill Road

I lived on Robinson Hill west of Denver, and loved fall.  And I still do.  On Sunday, I felt a wave of peace and joy looking at the distant mountains adorned with fall colors, golden aspens brilliant against dark evergreens, interesting rock formations, old buildings and fences and the gently curving dirt road with few cars.

We saw no wild life other than a chipmunk skipping across the road - literally.  Never saw one do that before.  Several horse grazed behind barbed-wire fences.  When I lived there, I knew the tempo of the animals - we seldom saw anything mid day.

Falling leaves signal winter snow - especially here.  This road may not be passable in bad weather, and bad weather can blow in quickly.

Colorado Railroad Museum

Everyone love trains.

And riding them is great fun.  Every weekend, train lovers of all ages ride the rails around the property and listening for the whistle at intersections.  If you are lucky you may get to talk to the engineer.  

The Colorado Railroad Museum on 44th Ave near Golden has trains of many sizes.  The very large engines on standard rails and the vintage trains on the narrow gauge attract adults while the miniature setup in the basement and the larger layout in the garden draw the kids.

And the place is packed in September when Thomas the Train comes to the museum.

Other attractions include the water tower, the round house, the museum and the Galloping Goose.

All aboard.