Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
South Fork Lake Creek, Colorado
The following photos were taken about a mile from the La Plata Peak Trailhead (La Plata Peak is one of Colorado's 54 "Fourteeners"). The name of the creek is South Fork Lake Creek, and it comes with this warning:
Although the water is not potable the sights are beautiful!
This chasm was carved by the South Fork Lake Creek over thousands (maybe millions!) of years! Yes, I find this absolutely fascinating. Yes, I am a nerd and proud of it!
A view looking upstream - the waterfall was this photo-blogger's dream.
Another "big picture" view of the chasm with my dad on the right.
A roaring waterfall that could be heard from many yards up and down the trail continues to carve into the creek bed.
A closer view of the waterfall, experimenting with longer exposure times.
A great place to relax. Just don't slip.
Upstream from the waterfall.
A closer view of the creek, upstream from the waterfall.
Another close view of the creek immediately before the water drops several feet.
A view of the chasm looking upstream - the edge of the waterfall can be seen in the center.
One last look at what the creek has carved out of the rock. This picture does not do justice to the size of indent seen in the photo.
Although the water is not potable the sights are beautiful!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Trains!
From Saint Louis County Park's Museum of Transportation:
The Missouri, Kansas, & Texas Railroad - better known as "The Katy." First railroad to enter Texas from the north, the Katy was in operation from 1870 to 1988.
Great Northern Railway - service from Saint Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, c. 1890-1970.
Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway (can you hear the song?). In operation from 1859 to 1996 when it merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form BNSF (Burlington Northern and Santa Fe).
The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad, also known as the Burlington - service across the Midwestern U.S. and the near western states; main connections in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Kansas City, Saint Louis, and Denver. In operation from 1849 to 1970 when it merged with competing railroads to form the previously mentioned Burlington Northern Railroad.
Union Pacific - service from Chicago to New Orleans and all points west since 1862 - our nation's largest railroad network.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad - one of the first railroads west of the Mississippi River. Originally organized in Saint Louis in 1851as the Pacific Railroad, renamed Missouri Pacific Railways in 1872, and finally Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1917. "MoPac" merged with Union Pacific in 1982.
Joplin-Pittsburg Railroad Company.
New York Central Railroad - operated in the Northeast and Midwest from 1831 to 1968 when it merged with competitor Pennsylvania Railroad to create the Penn Central, which was eventually absorbed by CSX.
The Milwaukee Road, officially known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, operated from 1847 to 1986.
Missouri Pacific's iconic "Screaming Eagle."
Alton and Southern Railway, in operation since 1910. It is now a subsidiary of Union Pacific.
Originally the Pawnee Railroad (1888), the Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway in 1905 (but it never went to Chicago!), then the Illinois and Midland Railway since 1996.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Temple Israel of Leadville, Colorado
Leadville's architectural profile is dominated by Victorian-style homes and three-story commercial buildings, small and colorful cottages, and some tall, prominent Christian church steeples of various denominations. The one gorgeous building in particular that caught my attention was the Temple Israel building.
This beautiful building has been through a lot since it was dedicated by Rabbi Morris Sachs of Cincinnati, Ohio on September 19, 1884: organized by Jewish settlers of German background, welcomed more orthodox Eastern European Jewish immigrants, the more orthodox members split to form another congregation, Jewish population declined along with Leadville's as the United States discontinued the silver standard and mining activities declined, and by the Thirties the building was no longer used as a temple.
From 1937 until 1992, the Temple Israel building was converted into a single-family home/radiator repair shop, boarding for miners during World War 2, a vicarage for Saint George's Episcopal Church, and finally a three-unit (and later a four unit) apartment home. The Temple Israel Foundation purchased the building in 1992 and restored it to its current state - a synagogue and a museum.
The steeples and façade of Temple Israel were restored when it was purchased in 1992 - the building fits into the neighborhood perfectly.
The significant and active Jewish population of Leadville found much success during the town's boom days of the 1870s through 1890s. One was Meyer Guggenheim, a Swiss-Jewish immigrant via Philadelphia, who operated a large mining operation immediately outside the city limits. Another was David May - his story is told on the plaque seen below:
Stone marker found in Downtown Leadville, Colorado on Harrison Street.
The steeple of Saint George's Episcopal Church, located directly across the street from the Temple Israel building.
This beautiful building has been through a lot since it was dedicated by Rabbi Morris Sachs of Cincinnati, Ohio on September 19, 1884: organized by Jewish settlers of German background, welcomed more orthodox Eastern European Jewish immigrants, the more orthodox members split to form another congregation, Jewish population declined along with Leadville's as the United States discontinued the silver standard and mining activities declined, and by the Thirties the building was no longer used as a temple.
From 1937 until 1992, the Temple Israel building was converted into a single-family home/radiator repair shop, boarding for miners during World War 2, a vicarage for Saint George's Episcopal Church, and finally a three-unit (and later a four unit) apartment home. The Temple Israel Foundation purchased the building in 1992 and restored it to its current state - a synagogue and a museum.
The steeples and façade of Temple Israel were restored when it was purchased in 1992 - the building fits into the neighborhood perfectly.
The significant and active Jewish population of Leadville found much success during the town's boom days of the 1870s through 1890s. One was Meyer Guggenheim, a Swiss-Jewish immigrant via Philadelphia, who operated a large mining operation immediately outside the city limits. Another was David May - his story is told on the plaque seen below:
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Amazing Adventures of Murphy the Mountain Dog!
I was not the only one conquering the rugged American West this summer - Murphy, my Bernese Mountain Dog/Cardigan Welsh Corgi Mix was along for the ride and enjoyed every minute of outdoor adventure!
Murphy surveying the Eagle River at Minturn, Colorado.
With temperatures rising, Murph couldn't resist jumping into the cold mountain stream.
"New smells...EVERYWHERE..."
Conquering a boulder along the Nature Trail at the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.
Murph & I at highest elevation at which Murph has ever taken a walk!
Enjoying a campfire...
...and the comfy chairs...
...and when the humans kick you out of the chairs, just claim some land and take a nap!
All the adventuring caught up with our Courageous Canine when we made it to the cabin!
Our parting shot, taken at South Fork Lake Creek. Adventuring complete!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
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