Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Time for Vacation in Colorado

Early September usually takes us to Breckenridge in Colorado. We own a timeshare week in Breckenridge. The trip is a quite do-able 7 hour drive through beautiful rural northern New Mexico and southern Colorado plains, ranches and mountains.  We took our affable neighbor, Cathy, this time.

Cathy, our friend and neighbor, joined us in Breckenridge
Even though it rained most days, we really had a relaxing time in the High Rockies.  As we walked along Main Street where colorful planters of flowers still bloomed, we watched a Broad-Tailed  Hummingbird trying to fill up on flower nectar in the rain before her migration south.

Broad-Tailed Hummingbird


Our condo had been recently remodeled and was quite comfy.

Here's the view of the mountains from our deck.

We encountered a large beaver in town along the Blue River. Cathy kept looking for more beavers at Maggie Pond (we never found out who Maggie was)

Cathy and I on Boreas Pass Road with the Goose Pasture Tarn behind us.

We drove the scenic Boreas Pass dirt road that was formerly the route of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railway (the narrow-gage railway that serviced Breckenridge and other mining towns in the 1800's) and saw many wildflowers still blooming.
Tansy Asters

A lovely view just below Boreas Pass  

One of many creeks and springs along the road

Harebell

Fringed Gentian

Shrubby Cinquefoil




















After Labor Day,  shopping and eating in Breckenridge is always a treat as there are many 2-for-1 specials and sales that entice the few tourists left after the summer crowds are gone and before Breck opens for skiing.  I had to shop for a parka because I forgot a jacket and the evenings were cool, dropping into the 30's.  It also rained several days while we were there, so I bought a new rain parka and a fleece jacket from stores with lots of stuff on sale.

Window shopping one evening along Breckenridge's Main Street
Ron, me and Cathy enjoyed a gourmet Rocky Mountain dinner at the Briar Rose Chophouse in Breckenridge for our last night there. 

Cathy modeling her new jacket

Me modeling my new rain parka as we hiked Tenderfoot Trail overlooking Lake Dillon


Lupine


Snowberry





Me and Cathy on the trail


 Showy Daisy or Aspen Daisy

"Ginger" was our trail dog, having joined us when her master was resting along the trail.

Lake Dillon view from the trail

Rose hips on  Wild Rose



Hiking was easy in the late summer cool weather.








There are so many restaurants to eat at in Breckenridge.  The first night we had Swiss Fondue at the Swiss Haven.  A few nights later, Cathy wanted to try Bubba Gumps.

Cathy at Bubba Gump's

Ron enjoying the Shrimper's Heaven

Ron and I at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant in Breckenridge







Breakfast at the Columbine Cafe on our way out of town.  I had the home-made Corned Beef Hash and Eggs that was delicious but far more than I could eat.


On our way back to New Mexico, we stopped at a panoramic viewpoint to observe the Collegiate Peaks Range.


Mt. Princeton (elevation 14, 204 ft.) in the Collegiate Peaks Range



We decided to check out Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and St. Elmo (an historic mining town) on our way home via U.S. Hwy 285.  Turn right at Nathrop, CO.

St. Elmo's  Main Street


The General Store in St. Elmo (Ghost Town)


Chipmunks are well-fed by visitors to St. Elmo.  They will feed out of your hand.  They prefer sunflower seeds and if you don't bring some along, the General Store has some bags for sale.

The road between St. Elmo and Mt. Princeton Hot Springs