Colorado Chronicles 2013 – Part V

The last installment about my Colorado vacay. I cannot believe that I went away almost one month ago. Time is flying by too fast.

Let me tell you about my weekend in Breck! Oktoberfest in full swing!! What was wonderful about where we were situated was that it was within walking distance to Main Street where all the festivities were happening.

Beer, pretzels & turkey legs. Appropriate.

Lederhosen. The outfits of choice.

Spaetzle. Mac & Cheese, German style, for adults.

Fruit Strudel for a sweet ending.

Long lines for refreshing beer.

Homemade Pierogies and Potato Pancakes.

Walking off the food, I took in the sights of Breck.

It was pretty awesome to take the FREE gondola ride up to the Breckenridge fun park all the while taking in the views of the Cucumber Gulch Preserve.

And then up even higher (over 11000 ft) via chairlift for even more scenic views.

I absolutely loved the hospitality and atmosphere of the people and places of Breck. I found it to be a genuinely friendly and beautiful place to spend my time.

Thanks Colorado, yet another terrific trip!!

Colorado Chronicles 2013 – Part IV

It was off to the mountains this day! But before getting on the road for the two-hour car ride west, it was lunch at Wahoo’s Fish Taco. I ate what else? Some fish tacos!

The rain was kind and let up for a bit on the ride up to Breckenridge. Glimpses of blue sky and white fluffy clouds.

Finally made it. This was home for a few days. Sawmill Creek Condominiums

What a lovely place. The weekend was looking very promising and I could not wait to begin the second leg of my trip here. =)

Colorado Chronicles 2013 – Part III

This day we went to check out Cave of the Winds – CaveoftheWinds.com

We took a tour into the cave and checked out various mineral formations, stalactites – these hang “tite” to the ceiling, stalagmites – these grow from the floor, watch out because you “mite” trip over them, The Majestic Hall, the Bridal Chamber and the Temple of Silence.

The cave was discovered in 1869 with tours beginning in 1881. The cave’s history goes way beyond that however. Early legends of the Jicarilla Apaches, who migrated through the Pikes Peak region around 1000 AD, told of a cave in the Manitou Springs area where the Great Spirit of the Wind resided.

In 1869, a recent settler to Williams Canyon named Arthur B. Love became intrigued by a cleft in the canyon’s western wall. When he investigated the opening, he discovered a large limestone archway and a cave entrance that would later become Cave of the Winds.

The modern era of Cave of the Winds began when two brothers, John and George Pickett, went looking for new caves on a scouting trip in Williams Canyon in 1880. They discovered a small shelter cave near the limestone archway. When they lit their candles, they noticed the flames flickered in the wind blowing from a nearby crevice. When they crawled through the passageway, they emerged into a large chamber and it was evident this was something that needed to be shared with the world.

The outside views:

Inside the cave:

They call this Romeo and Juliet – forever broken and never to be joined again.

These are stalactites that grew at a point in the cave when many, many, years ago, people who took the tour here, had to crawl on their bellies to get through. It took them 3 hours to make it in and once they reached the point where these stalactites grew, were told to rub them for good luck for the long crawl back out of the caves. The oil from the hands that had rubbed the stalactites, adhered and did not mix with the water that flowed down thus stunting the growth of the stalactite.

It was amazing to see such a historical place. Millions of years of growth. What a wonder nature is. After this caving experience, it was time for what else? Food! Off to Chili’s!