Concierge Tours of Colorado

Concierge Tours of Colorado Private and Custom Tours Concierge Tours of Colorado offers private and custom tours throughout Colorado. We are your Bucket List Headquarters
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The Summer White HouseIn 1911, John Brisben Walker, owner of the property that is now Mount Falcon Park, promoted the id...
07/07/2024

The Summer White House
In 1911, John Brisben Walker, owner of the property that is now Mount Falcon Park, promoted the idea of a summer White House. The cornerstone of Colorado Yule marble was laid July 4, 1914 on this proposed site for the building. This is all that remains of his dreams for a "castle in the clouds" for the enjoyments of the presidents of the United States.

Wildflower season in Colorado!
06/27/2024

Wildflower season in Colorado!

Went looking for some wildflowers today! While the flowers were a bit limited in early summer, the views and destination...
06/24/2024

Went looking for some wildflowers today! While the flowers were a bit limited in early summer, the views and destination was fantastic!

Golden CO is happening today with the Scandinavian Festival. If you are searching for pillaging supplies or other wares,...
06/16/2024

Golden CO is happening today with the Scandinavian Festival. If you are searching for pillaging supplies or other wares, this is the place to go!

One of the most unique and enlightening things to do when visiting Crestone, CO is an ashram visit. Everyone is welcome ...
05/21/2024

One of the most unique and enlightening things to do when visiting Crestone, CO is an ashram visit. Everyone is welcome to these quiet and peaceful places to take moments of reflection. These are not tourist traps but actual ashrams where followers live, work and study. Visit with an open mind and a closed mouth. The Haidakhandi Universal Ashram was the weekend highlight for my family group visiting from India.

Medano Creek at the Great Sand Dunes National Park is a spectacular sight to see! Formed from the runoff of melting snow...
05/15/2024

Medano Creek at the Great Sand Dunes National Park is a spectacular sight to see! Formed from the runoff of melting snow on the surrounding peaks, Medano flows only for a short season. While the day was cool and windy, it felt great to take off shoes to walk through the water that was warmed by the sand. It's easy to get to as the creek flows near the main parking lot. As my guest said, "All diseases are left there."

This beautiful lioness at the Denver Zoo watched the crowd very carefully. As soon as she saw the service dog with my to...
05/07/2024

This beautiful lioness at the Denver Zoo watched the crowd very carefully. As soon as she saw the service dog with my tour guest, she charged the window in a flash. The little kids standing in front of me all screamed and the dog didn't flinch. The animals can see us from the other side of the glass in case you are wondering

I had the honor of taking a family of 3 to the Phoenix Gold Mine last week! I’ve been going there regularly for 10 years...
03/20/2024

I had the honor of taking a family of 3 to the Phoenix Gold Mine last week! I’ve been going there regularly for 10 years with guests from all over the world. The mine is still owned and managed by Mosch family members after the passing of Al several years ago.

Each time I go there, more improvements are offered to guests. Sometimes, it’s just little improvements such as a port-a-potty and wash station instead of the old, smelly outhouse. The Tour Guides are fantastic and engaging for each guest. Everyone has the opportunity to briefly feel what life in the old mining days was like and get their hands wet panning for gold.

I highly recommend a trip to the Phoenix to discover living history and meet the people who live it!

I finished off a very busy and fun tour season. As a grand finale, we went down to New Mexico to explore a bucket list s...
10/16/2023

I finished off a very busy and fun tour season. As a grand finale, we went down to New Mexico to explore a bucket list site... Chaco Canyon!
When you visit, be sure to have a vehicle that can handle a wash-board gravel road with large pits and holes in it. After navigating the road in, our first stop was the Visitor Center to get our tag. If you have an "America the Beautiful" pass, use it for entry into the site.

Friday was a busy day with people arriving to the fully booked campground for the eclipse viewing the following day. The standard look for most visitors consisted of khaki, safari type pants, sun protecting shirt and hiking books, with the look topped off with a wide brimmed hat. Sandwiches are a must to eat from the back of your vehicle so be sure to bring some.

Before arriving, take time to understand culture of the Anasazi. This can be found in books and documentaries. Anasazi culture peaked in the range of 1000 years ago and spread over parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. It is a fascinating part of human history of indigenous peoples.

October is a fantastic time to visit as the hot weather has ended, there are few kids and most travelers are older.

It was so beautiful in Rocky Mountain National Park today that I even caught a tree hugging a rock....!
10/05/2023

It was so beautiful in Rocky Mountain National Park today that I even caught a tree hugging a rock....!

Planning an itinerary for a tour to New Mexico next week and came across this write-up for one of our lunch stops.... No...
09/16/2023

Planning an itinerary for a tour to New Mexico next week and came across this write-up for one of our lunch stops.... Now I'm really looking forward to lunch!

Built in 1872, the St. James Hotel, its saloon, restaurant, and 43 rooms were witness to at least 26 murders during Cimarron New Mexico's wilder days.

Mount Evans goats
08/22/2023

Mount Evans goats

Here are some Bighorn Sheep babies to start your day!
08/21/2023

Here are some Bighorn Sheep babies to start your day!

The Big Adventure... MljetWe had a windstorm coming in (unbeknownst to any of us) that would cause more waves and we nee...
08/05/2023

The Big Adventure... Mljet
We had a windstorm coming in (unbeknownst to any of us) that would cause more waves and we needed to make decisions regarding distance and stops. After our skipper Fin knew information, we gathered for a group decision to discuss the best way forward for not only the comfort of the group but also to minimize stress. On Fin’s recommendation, we chose to have a longer sailing day while the water was still smooth and dock in an unscheduled marina for the night. This would allow for a shorter day crossing the channel when the waves were bigger, and the wind was stronger. It also meant we passed the National Park stop on Mljet and stayed in the protected little cove for the night instead.

Okuklje on Mljet (just not in the National Park) was small and secluded cove and did not have any hookups for power and water. Swimming is wherever you choose, and most people swam in the marina. It was safe since boats arrived very slowly and carefully.

After an extended day on the water, a walk was the perfect way to shake off the swaying that everyone felt. The path around the cove leads to a little trail through the trees and rocks, with a natural swim area as the destination. Stepping onto the woodsey trail, half of the group changed their minds due to the giant spiders and webs next to and across the trail. I’m fine if I don’t go first.

Temperatures were rising and without hookups for air conditioning, it made for a hot night. Half of the group slept on deck where the fresh air and starlight soothed the tension the heat and long day created. Wind began to whistle through the trees across the cove as the storm moved in throughout the night. Eventually, everyone fell into a deep sleep.

The Big Adventure... Sveti Nedjelja The little village of Sveti Nedjelja on Hvar consisted of a couple of konobas (one w...
08/03/2023

The Big Adventure... Sveti Nedjelja
The little village of Sveti Nedjelja on Hvar consisted of a couple of konobas (one was also a winery), a little fruit and vegetable stand, a local artisan stand, ice cream and some beautiful swim areas. Our wine tasting was at the restaurant directly in front of our sailboat at the marina. The big decision of the afternoon was should we wine taste first or wait until right before dinner. We went first!

Sailing in, along the coastline, we saw grapes growing on the steep inclines leading down to the water from the top of the hill. The rocky land was terraced by generations of family members who retained the land and worked it. Our group decided to leave early the following day due to in-coming weather. After docking the Nabucco in the marina first, it was eventually moved back for an easier early morning departure. So instead of our dinner table being directly in front of the boat, it was now 3 boat lengths back.

This winery/konoba had multiple awards for their wine and the cellar was underneath the restaurant. As dusk settled in, walked along the waterfront to find a quiet little swim area for someone in our group who needed to skinny dip in the Adriatic. Check that off the list!

08/01/2023

The Big Adventure... Vis continued!
When visiting Croatia, the local food to try is called ‘peka.’ Peka takes 3-4 hours to prepare so orders must be placed early or the day before. A large bell-shaped solid metal is heated with wood/coal on top and placed over the dish of meat and vegetables for a slow cook. The bell holds all the moisture in and melds the flavors together for a delicious treat. Roki is a well-known konoba for peka and did not disappoint. Serving sizes are 2 or more so it helps if you like the same foods. For our table of 8, we ordered octopus, lamb and vegetarian peka. The octopus cut with the fork like butter and tasted heavenly. The lamb was also tender and the flavor sweet. I didn’t make it to the vegetarian option because it was at the other end of the table, but everyone was delighted with their choices. Oh… the wine was superb, too!

Then there’s Momma Mia: Here We Go Again! Filmed in 2017 in Vis! Wear your overalls to channel Meryl Streep as you bounce and skip around cobblestone streets around the towns and villages!

The Big Adventure... VisVis was my hands-down favorite stop on the Big Adventure! Not just because we had an awesome loc...
07/31/2023

The Big Adventure... Vis
Vis was my hands-down favorite stop on the Big Adventure! Not just because we had an awesome local Tour Guide (whose name I do not remember so I’ll call him TG) take us to scenic places, a winey and drop us off at my personal favorite dinner, but also the lights of the village on the water at night and Momma Mia! We arrived early enough in the day to find a swim corner near the marina and shake off some heat of the morning.

TG picked us up in an air-conditioned van and shared many stories and views of Vis. He is a local, who grew up around and near Vis. During the year, he teaches in a local school. Tourist season he provides tours around the island to support his growing family. Tourism is where his heart lies.

TG took us to an overlook of the airstrip used during the war. Today, nature is reclaiming the ground and it’s all covered in green. The island has many caves and tunnels remaining from the wars, which left Vis under the radar. The bay leading into the marina area has a narrow entrance and ships could be easily prevented from entering. It was only in 1989 that Vis opened to tourism at the end of the Cold War. Prior to then, it remained inaccessible and off-limits to outsiders, as it was a military base.

Our next stop was a local winery and farm in the hills where we sat at a table under some shady trees and sampled wines along with traditional snacks. We called this the Spider Winery, named after the extra-large spider that lived in and hunted from the web over our heads. After some excitement with another long-legged, but harmless beetle crawling up Danielle’s leg, we finished up our tasting, purchased some wine and hopped into the van for more fun.

The Big Adventure cont....One of the highlights of every day was the swim stop. We stopped in small coves and anchored. ...
07/30/2023

The Big Adventure cont....
One of the highlights of every day was the swim stop. We stopped in small coves and anchored. The back of the boat was lowered and turned into a platform with a ladder. The temperature of the Adriatic was on the cooler side but with a quick jump, the water felt great. We had 2 paddleboards to play with and picked up some floaties from the local market before setting off. If you swim off or near the shore where your feet can touch the bottom, be sure to wear water shoes or pay attention to where your feet step. Sea urchins make their homes between the rocks and are a painful experience to accidentally step on. They don’t chase you and it’s best to leave them alone. Some locals eat them but that requires a special tool to cut them open.

My favorite swim stops was at the submarine tunnel in a cove on Vis. This was built by Yugoslavia between WWII and the Cold War to hide submarines. When we arrived, a large yacht was parked in the tunnel and blocked part of the entrance. This was a fantastic time for taking the paddleboards into the tunnel to explore. Inside was a dock at the far end where other small boats and boards tied up. People got off and explored around the doorways and tunnels. I didn’t see what was behind the creepy door as there were no open places to tie the board. From what I’ve read, the tunnels were used for hiding out, secret meetings and even hospitals.

I can’t ignore the Caddyshack moment at a swim stop. Fortunately, I wasn’t in the water at the time and everyone else was boarding and playing elsewhere on the boat. Then I saw it… a turd floating by. Yikes! My swim time ended abruptly. Then two more floaters! Danielle and I laughed to tears while we watched the little army of turds float over to the next boat where a woman was snorkeling. I guess someone didn’t read the signs that stated no dumping of the tank in swim areas. Geez people!

The Bid Adventure... MilnaMilna is a small village and is mainly situated on the waterfront. Many of the old stone build...
07/29/2023

The Bid Adventure... Milna
Milna is a small village and is mainly situated on the waterfront. Many of the old stone buildings are left to nature and lost roofs and windows. Trees and shrubs grow inside the buildings around the fallen rafters from the second floor. An unassuming church is open for people to climb the steps and stop in throughout the day. Local konobas (restaurants) and gathering places light up in the evening for dinner. You can’t go wrong with a platter of fresh seafood for dinner and local wine.

This was our first night on a sailboat in a marina. By dinnertime the marina was full of boats of all sizes. Partygoers drank on larger party boats while smaller boats hosted more quiet couples. Mega Yachts parked at the far end so it didn’t have to be maneuvered into a small space. People from all walks of life mingled in the restaurants and bars. Regardless of the size of the boat, people seemed to settle in and quiet down around midnight.

My first night on a sailboat tucked into a little stateroom was challenging. The previous guests had the air conditioner turned down as low as possible and I felt like I was sleeping in a meat locker. It basically triggered and surfaced stuff buried deep inside. My way to manage that was to take my pillow and blanket and sleep on the deck. Ah… the fresh air and starry night were spectacular! The lights of the silent village reflected on smooth water. The rocking of the boat quickly put me to sleep. Hourly, the church bells rang to announce the time. Daybreak arrived gently, beginning with birds before the movement of people at the marina. While everyone was asking if I was ok (for sleeping outside), I had my first real moment of peace.

The Big Adventure... MilnaOur sailing wine tour scheduled a different location/island each day and included multiple loc...
07/28/2023

The Big Adventure... Milna
Our sailing wine tour scheduled a different location/island each day and included multiple local wineries, located in various places from in the hills, on marina streets and local restaurants. All the wineries were small, local farms and many do not sell outside of their village or island.

Sailing along the coastline of the islands, we could see the grapes grown on steep slopes that resembled black ski runs (but green). Temperatures during the day were very warm to hot and it is hard to imagine anything growing without a cloud in the sky and the sun beating directly down. The grapes love these hot, rocky conditions and have successfully grown there for centuries. Generations of families spent their days moving rocks and building terraces for the family farms.

As much as we wanted to purchase the local wines, customs is the ever-present issue. Technically, each traveler is allowed 2 bottles of wine in checked luggage and that’s only if it fits. We had a 48’ sailboat with limited storage space and everyone traveled with smaller, compact-able luggage.

Our first winery was an old stone, cave-like building near the marina in the village of Milna on the island of Brac. When we asked for just a small taste of any wine, the woman who owned and managed it smiled and said,, “I can’t hear you” and filled the glass up. She also had handmade soaps and fresh lavender oil from her farm. When it came time to make purchases, she filled the bottles up directly from the cask, corked and labeled them.

The Big Adventure....Setting sail! Scheduling was a little tricky to start the day. After a 4:30 am flying dress photo s...
07/27/2023

The Big Adventure....Setting sail!
Scheduling was a little tricky to start the day. After a 4:30 am flying dress photo shoot, packing and eating breakfast, we needed to check out of our lodging by 10am to accommodate back-to-back bookings. Bob and I took the luggage for all of us (7) to the marina by van and hung out while the others had more time to explore Split. Temperatures were rising and not a cloud in the sky!

The rest of the group arrived at the marina around an hour before embarking, which gave us some time to move luggage and find the location of our home for the next week, Nabucco, an Oceanis 48. When we finally made it to the boat, we had a charcuterie board prepared for us and chilled prosecco to toast the upcoming adventure. All of us were completely excited and Colin couldn’t stop asking questions. What are we doing? Where are we? What is that? Why? Would you rather?

Our team of two consisted of Skipper Fin who managed all boat/sailing related activities, route, safety and quiet observer, and Luca, our host, who managed all wine tours, reservations, activities, food, communications, cleaning and more.

Everyone chose their stateroom and moved luggage in. We went over all expectations, safety, rules and more before we easily made our way out of the marina and set off. Once away from the marina with one sail raised and music turned on, everyone settled in.

We were very fortunate to have a fantastic and very skilled skipper. Fin has a strong and relaxed stance while on the sailboat. He watches and sees everything, although his eyes remain steady forward. He’s working with yacht charters for the summer while his personal boat is going through extensive repairs following an Iberian orca attack off the coast of Gilbralter. Considering our group included a 7-month pregnant mom and a very inquisitive 5-year-old, he had his work cut out. His job included not only our comfort and safety but also overseeing weather conditions, currents, marina stops, boat details and maintenance, meeting our sailing expectations and knowing details about every stop including swimming. He also kept us safe from pirates… you know, the kind wearing silly hats and eye patches who sneak out from staterooms when no one is watching. Fin knows every nook and cranny along the entire Dalmatian coast and islands. He also knows the rest of the world like the back of his hand.

Luca is an extremely attentive host who is really just a big kid. Some mornings it took a little while for him to find words but I prefer people who don’t talk first thing in the morning, so all was perfect. He always put out a first breakfast of fresh fruits, nuts, and cereal and a second breakfast of something hot and toasty. My breakfast was special gluten-free bread and cereals.

While we played in the water and cooled off, Luca designed and served a big, delicious lunch each day when the boat wasn’t moving. It’s much easier to eat when the plates and wine glasses are not sliding off the table. Yes, we had wine with lunch if we wanted to! The beauty of a wine tour!

Colin kept Luca on his toes by asking rapid-fire detailed questions with many of them centered around “would you rather.” It’s fun to hear answers from others and the why behind them. The theme of our stops was “walk the plank” in some goofy fake pirate accent. It only took a couple of pirate hats and eye patches to bring it to life. We were happy that Amazon delivered the pirate set only a couple of hours before we left Denver, although the Captain hat didn’t make it on time.

The Big AventureSplit is a 1700-year-old city on the Dalmatian Coast. We arrived two days before embarking on our sailin...
07/26/2023

The Big Aventure
Split is a 1700-year-old city on the Dalmatian Coast. We arrived two days before embarking on our sailing adventure and stayed in a 3-br home rental just outside of the Diocletian Palace. Inside the Palace walls are buildings and embellishments of medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Roman periods. Walking tours are scheduled regularly and don’t require a reservation. If you would like to explore on your own, the streets and alley ways are a maze of discovery. Besides being a little cooler within the stone walls, it’s a place to discover little shops, restaurants, hidden stairways, ancient art and so much more. The Palace is the central focus of Split and is home of local workplaces such as a barber shop. So yes, it is a tourist attraction and UNESCO site, but it is also home to many locals.

The second morning in Split, Caan and Carolyn surprised us with a flying dress photo shoot (just for the girls)! This required getting up and getting ready at 4:30 am for the fun to begin at 5. Before the Big Adventure began, we were casually asked to choose a color. I chose purple… the color of abundance. Our photographer, Anna arrived at 5am and helped everyone into special dresses she designed and then we headed out to the marina to meet her assistant. Anna made it easy to step out of our comfort zone and ignore other people.

Split at dawn is a spectacular site! The water was calm and the city quiet. A few stragglers were left over from the electronic music festival in town for the weekend and we had to be careful not to step on broken beer bottles and other debris. The public areas are cleaned every morning, but we began before the cleaners. A couple of creepers stalked us and watched while we awkwardly posed. Not being part of the “insta” generation, we had no idea how to work it for the camera. Most of the photos turned out funny and weird, which made me laugh until I cried looking at the final shots. I few of them were works of art! I love my beautiful daughters!

The Big Adventure... Getting Ready!To prepare for Croatia, we watched and re-watched the Croatian episode of Somebody Fe...
07/25/2023

The Big Adventure... Getting Ready!

To prepare for Croatia, we watched and re-watched the Croatian episode of Somebody Feed Phil. His show traveled the basic route of where we were going and had lots of great tips. Not only is he goofy, but he enjoys great local food. We recognized sites like the 2000-year-old Sphinx in the Palace. While following his food choices in Split, chatter about Phil was always around by the bakery, the gelato place and the Diocletian Palace in general. People were on a Phil pilgrimage, and we were no different. One place we did not find was the stairs for the funny stair descent.

Croatia is located across the Adriatic from Italy. To me, that means seafood and wine! I had no idea what a treat we were in for! Zinfandel wine was once known as “California’s own variety.” Based on the shape of the leaf, a grapevine geneticist went on the hunt to find its origins. After many years of searching and researching, she found the original grape off the coast in Croatia. Plavac Mali was near the point of extinction at the time of the finding. Only 9 vines remained off the coast of Split. Since the discovery, producers began planting and using Plavac Mali to make varietal wines and blends.

The Big Adventure... LondonI love history, so the Churchill War Rooms made the list. Since I am not a fan of being pushe...
07/24/2023

The Big Adventure... London
I love history, so the Churchill War Rooms made the list. Since I am not a fan of being pushed through attractions by crowds, and generally don’t want to be around them, we opted for the early guided tour. Our group consisted of 12 people with a guide who took us through and described life in the War Rooms during WWII. This is where Churchill, military and support staff lived during the war, while planning operations and moves to eventually gain strength over the N***s.

High Tea is not to be missed while in London. With a little research, any type or theme can be found. Gluten-free, vegetarian, kids, etc. We found a dinosaur themed tea with a volcano of dry ice and chocolate hills of deliciousness. This is definitely something kids enjoy!

Of course, Changing of the Guards is a free event held on specific days. Get there early because the crowds are relentless. People (and a couple of really bad ones) just worm their way in front of you if you try to leave breathing room. A selfish woman even used Colin’s head to put her camera on for support. Normally, we encourage him to have good manners, but this time we let him do his kid thing with her camera and string. I was not opposed to pushing her with my bag (like Eric Idle dressed as an old woman in Monty Python).

The double decker tour bus is a fun way to get around town while listening to stories about neighborhoods and buildings. Getting around town is challenging with the directions on the streets reversed, bicycles everywhere, general commotion, rain, etc. Crossing the street is challenging enough but directions on which way to look are painted at the crosswalks. Our only little mishap of the trip resulted from a tourist walking in front of our bus and causing bruises from the hard stop.

Food is a treat in London! I am fortunate to have a friend who recommended various restaurants for our diverse food requirements and even joined us for tea.

While exploring around the city, pubs are a great place to stop and use the loo. While you’re there, try a beer and something to eat. We found a place called Bucket of Nails for a short reprieve after the crowds at the Changing of the Guards. Great pub food and drinks. Small toilets but better than peeing your pants!

The Big Adventure... London Arrival!It takes me a couple of days to shake off the long flight and get acclimated. To bal...
07/23/2023

The Big Adventure... London Arrival!
It takes me a couple of days to shake off the long flight and get acclimated. To balance that, we decided to add a few nights in London at the beginning of the trip. United has a direct flight from Denver to Heathrow which leaves at night and arrives around noon the next day. Perfect for those who can sleep on a plane (like me!). I didn’t want to arrive right before sailing and end up sleeping through the first few days of the Adventure.

London has lots to offer whether you are looking for history, great restaurants, tea, monarchy, museums, tourist attractions. I was the only one who came off the flight fully rested after a 7-hour sleep. While everyone rested in the afternoon, I hunted for food and drink to calm the hangries and stretch my legs. Our hotel was located near Hyde Park in the Lancaster Gate area in a quiet neighborhood with several great food choices nearby.

The first site we visited was the London Eye for the aerial view of the city. The Eye is a gigantic ferris wheel where each pod has 10-15 people in it. It’s not crowded inside the pod which helps if you have claustrophobia or are just plain scared. Avoid the lines and pre-purchase tickets. We had a flexible pass, which means you can re-schedule your tickets if your timing changes.

The Eye overlooks the Thames River where you can watch the tour boats floating by and see Big Ben and the Parliament Building. With a view like that, one can’t help but notice the number of cranes hovering over the entire city. London is definitely building up. It’s interesting to see the contrast between old and new throughout the city. This is also a great location to set off on foot across the bridge to see other sites, mainly parks, military and governmental as you make your way to some fabulous Indian restaurant.

07/22/2023

It’s difficult to know where to begin. Planning for this Big Adventure began 18 months before departure and took searching, researching, mapping, comparing, pricing, planning, commitments, patience, flexibility, understanding, accommodating, excitement with a little touch of apprehension. Bob and I planned the Big Adventure as a celebration for all of us with our individual life accomplishments and milestones. Little did we know the twist we were about to receive and how it would change each of us.

Around 6 months from setting off on the Big Adventure, we learned that Carolyn (my soon-to-be daughter-in-law) is pregnant! She was 7 months pregnant for a week-long, wine tasting sailing trip. Yes, we were scared. On a side note… when you plan big trips like this, be sure to get insurance that covers not only trip cancellation, but also medical issues should they arise. It’s very comforting to know that help is available and takes a lot of stress off.

The Adventure’s central theme was a sailing week off the coast of Croatia. It took a couple of months searching for just the right trip. When I found one that had a private yacht that sailed around different islands, with a focus on wine tasting, at a very reasonable price with no surprise fees at the end, I knew it was the right one for us. Timing was crucial with pregnancy and 2 schoolteachers and we chose a week that was peak high season and peak heat.

To round out the itinerary we planned 3 nights in London, 9 nights in Croatia and (to cool off) 4 nights in Edinburgh. Then the Big Adventure begins….

I had the honor of joining a family of 8 for two days of exploring around the Foothills and mountains. One of our highli...
06/29/2023

I had the honor of joining a family of 8 for two days of exploring around the Foothills and mountains. One of our highlights was the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The weather on the east side of the Continental Divide has finally turned to summer and provided an absolutely perfect day for mountain fun with clear skies and warm temps. This makes for a very happy group of train travelers.

In the 1800s, the area around Georgetown (known as Silver Queen) was full of silver, and tourists were beginning to flood the area to see beyond Mt Bierstadt.

"One of the men who got rich off the silver and other metals in the area, William Loveland, partnered with titan Jay Gould to pay for a railroad that could handle tourism and mining at the same time. The problem with a railroad near Georgetown were the heights of the mountains and the steep grades into the passes, such as Loveland Pass, named after the old 49er, and the highest pass in central Colorado. All of the passes made creating a railroad difficult if not impossible because of the grade. However, engineers figured out a way to reduce the railroad grade with a series of curves and bridges, which allowed engines to climb the mountain passes.
The Georgetown Loop Railroad allowed tourists to view the breathtaking scenery from dizzying heights, as well as take in the mining history of the area. Tourists flocked to the area to take in the sights–at least for a while." (Georgetown-Colorado.com).

Georgetown is located on the east side of the Continental Divide. The route crosses over Clear Creek several times and this year the creek was running very high. It was described that the water ends in the Gulf of Mexico by way of Clear Creek meets South Platte, which meets the Missouri River, that flows to the Mississippi River and out into the Gulf.

At the Silver Plume station, the train stops for 15 minutes to refill the water tank for the steam engine. It’s fun to watch the workers bring the spout down from the water tank and then imagine what it was like in the 1800s for train travel with a steam engine. Before departing the station for the trip back down, the brakes are thoroughly checked and confirmed working. Whew!

The roundtrip ride lasts under an hour and is entertainment for the entire family. Everyone is a kid when they ride the train. The cars are open-air so bring a hair tie and hold onto your hat when you go over the bridge! Parlor cars are available for those who want an enclosed ride. Parking could be an issue but for only a few minutes when people get off one train and more are waiting for the next.

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Denver, CO

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