One really good thing that happened for Terry and me in the past month
is that we bought a new car, a pretty ice silver metallic Forester.
We very quickly tried it out on a drive up Clear Creek Canyon into the mountains.
Trying Out Our New Car on Interstate 470 Colorado
Littleton, Colorado, USA
October 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
We used to drive up Clear Creek Canyon to Black Hawk a lot.
It's an historic mining settlement that declined during the 20th century,
but revived when casino gambling was approved in Colorado in 1990.
We had lots of fun in Black Hawk and nearby Central City over the years,
exploring the history and hiking the trails around these two towns,
as well as enjoying some low-stakes gambling and great entertainment in their casinos.
But we hadn't been up there since years before the pandemic.
As we drove up into the foothills and by the town of Golden,
I realized that we've have flown over this area many more times
than we've driven through it in the past eight or nine years.
Approaching Red Rocks Amphitheatre
a Popular Open-Air Music Venue
(Red Rocks Just Above the Green Fairplay Sign)
Morrison, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Heading into Clear Creek Canyon
Golden, Colorado, USA
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We didn't make it to Black Hawk or Central City.
We were hungry to destress in nature after some challenging days.
Beautiful Clear Creek
A Fisherman's Delight
Evergreen, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Fishing in Clear Creek Canyon
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
We pulled off the road at Big Easy Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park,
because there was lots of room in the parking lot.
Terry did not want our new car scratched or dinged. Me neither!
Big Easy Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park
Jefferson County Open Space, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The park is part of the Peaks to Plains Trail (P2P) which is under construction.
One day this ambitious project will connect Denver's South Platte Trail
to Clear Creek's headwaters which rise at the continental divide in Loveland Pass.
The planned 65-mile P2P trail will link seven cities in four counties,
climb more than a mile in elevation (≈ 6747 ft. to 11,990 ft. or ≈ 2056 m. to 3635 m.),
and serve more than 3 million people who live in the Denver Metro Area.
Beautiful Clear Creek
Clear Creek Canyon Park
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The geologist in me loves the rocks in Clear Creek Canyon!
Steep walls of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks
confine the creek to a narrow canyon in the portion of the park we walked through.
A Gneiss Boulder Along the Creek
Evergreen, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Gneiss is a foliated metamorphic rock
which forms under extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Because the pressure is greater in one direction than in the others,
the minerals in the original rock line up with the long and flat minerals
perpendicular to the direction of greatest pressure.
This gives the resulting coarse-grained rock a banded appearance
with alternating light and dark layers.
In early 1859 prospector John Gregory panned placer gold
from the water at the confluence of Ralston Creek and Clear Creek,
precipitating the 1859-1860s gold rush in Colorado.
Shortly afterwards, the first major gold ore discovery in the Rocky Mountains
was found in "Gregory Gulch," and Black Hawk sprang up near the bottom of the gulch.
Central City, farther up Gregory Gulch, was founded at the same time
and was once called the "Richest Square Mile on Earth."
Today people can pan for gold in designated areas along Clear Creek.
Posted, Clear Creek Canyon Park
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
One thing that I really appreciate about Clear Creek Canyon Park
is that it is ADA compliant (The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990).
This means that people who have disabilities can enjoy
the most pristine canyon along the Front Range,
via four miles of 10-foot-wide paved trail along Clear Creek.
I was once married to a paralyzed veteran,
and I understand the pain separation from nature can cause.
It was wonderful to see fishing areas with access to people in wheelchairs.
People can Access the Creek Bed in a Variety of Ways
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Easily Accessible Fishing Spots
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Enjoying the Walk
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Terry Crosses Clear Creek Via Vasquez Bridge
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The View Upstream from Vasquez Bridge
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The View Downstream from Vasquez Bridge
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Terry Checks the Peaks to Plains Trail Map
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
The Paved Portion of the Trail Allows Access to Wilderness Trails
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Terry Walks Along Clear Creek
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
From big to small, there are endless things to observe and enjoy.
Cones and Needles
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Autumn Leaves
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Rough Bark
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Trees and Rocks
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Lichen Flourishing
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Resilience
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We paused for a welcome snack at our turn around point.
Terry in Leaves
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Reflections of Autumn Colors
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Listening to the Rushing Water
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
A Lush Forest
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
A Parting Look
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Nicole's Friday Face Off.
For Rain: Perfect for Charcuterie ~ I love a good charcuterie plate!
Pasticceria Papa
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
November 4, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Tom: The Spirit of Aloha
It's Getting Closer!!!
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
January 18, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Nicole: Skittish Faces ~ Off My Deck This Morning
Two Does and A Buck
Aurora, Colorado, USA
November 14, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Have a great weekend!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2024 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be
Friday, November 22nd 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
It looks like a wonderful outing for you (and your new car).
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome, Sue! I hope you are enjoying a fun weekend!
DeleteThe river is so gorgeous. The texture on the trees are fabulous too. I am sure you enjoy your day visiting the place
ReplyDeleteClear Creek Canyon is a special place, Roentare. Because it was narrow and rugged, it escaped the development that occurred in many of our Front Range canyons. The trails that are under construction are designed with the environment in mind. Walking along the creek was refreshingly peaceful, and it was a perfect place for me to walk as I recovered from a painful sprained ankle. Have a great weekend, my friend!
DeleteThat is really nice that it's paved. I would've skipped the towns and hit those trails as well.
ReplyDeleteThat walk in nature was exactly what Terry and I needed, Alex! Happy Weekend!
DeleteEnjoy that new car smell! And may it be many moons before that first wee dent or scratch appears! My car is 11 years old so now I just shrug at any new dings and scrapes, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'll be relieved after we get our first dent or scratch, as long as Terry is the one who gets it ~ lol. I know we'll be getting drives to and from the airport now, because Terry will not risk vandalization or hail dents in our car. Yes! Have a great weekend, Debra!
Delete...Louise, thanks for taking me along on your hike. It was nice to see the sights. I hope that you enjoy your Forester, our daughter has had several of them. When are you off to Aloha Land?
ReplyDeleteThis is our third Forester and our first new one, Tom. I absolutely love it, and I'm adapting to the new technology quickly. I still reach for a key to turn off the ignition though ~ lol. We're off to Aloha Land in mid-January. A week of cold temperatures and four days of snow really ramped up our anticipation. I'm working hard in the gym, so I can go paddle boarding again. 🤞 Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteCongrats on the new car. And wow, what a beautiful place to walk. I love how they are making it one big long trail and making it accessible to just about everyone. And wow, do you have snow already? Have a great rest of your Friday and weekend ahead. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHugs back at you, Erika! Yes, we've had our first big snowfall over four days. We received over a foot, but we're in the middle of a big melt now. Most of the snow had melted by the time the muleys showed up. Yes! I hate driving on winter roads. Have a great weekend!
DeleteYou are so lucky to live in Colorado, all that nature!! That long trail sounds wonderful. I've read that those who live in Colorado are most fit in the country. I can see why!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see you, Kay! I have to admit, Colorado is a fabulous place! I'm trying hard to be fit for my age ~ I'm resigned to the fact that I have to work out for the rest of my life ~ lol! I hope all is well with you!
DeleteColorado is really rich in beautiful outdoor recreation. It’s great that even more trails are being developed. My experience is more to the west of where you were.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting, Mae! We have so many wonderful trails in Colorado. Have a great weekend!
DeleteCongratulations on the new car. I lived in CO. for a bit. One thing you can't deny is it is beautiful there. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos with FFO and have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to have a new car, Nicole, and very relieved. The buck was back again this evening. He was lying in the snow just beyond my neighbor's deck. He's magnificent. Take care, my friend!
DeleteA lovely outing -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! Have a nice weekend!
DeleteThat's beautiful territory. I love the aspens and that rushing water photo is great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie. The sound of the rushing water was soothing, which was exactly what I needed. I hope you are beginning and enjoyable weekend!
DeleteWe'd been all over those trails. We have one park near us, but due to bugs, we prefer to go there when the weather is much cooler.
ReplyDeleteI'll second that, Diane! I do not like bugs, and when I see what friends of mine who have Lyme's disease have to deal with, I'm hyper-vigilant about ticks. I'm glad that you got to see some of Colorado's wonderful trails. All the best to you!
DeleteYou are so knowledgeable about so many things ... have you taught on the university level? I, like you, love nature and can loose any stress I am carrying around just by spending time in a woods, near water. When we lived on a lake it was the most wonderful time of my life ... sadly we had to leave for health reasons, but I bask in my many pictures and try to find nature close to where I live now. I will be in Denver in December. My Granddaughter is getting married outside (she claims people do it all of the time) and I can't help wondering if it will be freezing. We will be zipping in and out, sadly. No time to enjoy the surroundings or visit friends (you would be on my list to visit if we were staying). I hope I will make it back for a longer stay sometime soon. I have a friend who lives in Snowmass, close to Aspen. I spent two weeks up there once upon a time ... loved every minute of it. So enjoy the snow in the mountains and then a trip to Hawaii ... what a life 😁
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Hi, Andrea! I really enjoyed your comment, although I'm sorry that health reasons forced you to leave your home on the lake. Getting older is certainly challenging! I'm recognizing now that I will likely not return to a lot of places I want to see again or visit some places that I would still like to see. It's all good. Everything else I do will be gravy. I'm sorry that we will miss each other on your trip to Denver. I will be in and out of the Denver area a minimum of two times in December. Many people do choose to get married outside in Colorado. It all depends on the weather and elevation. If you have layers you can put on if the weather is cold, you should be fine. Colorado has a lot of amazing sunshine, even in the winter! I haven't taught at the university level other than presentations for various course, especially for my Masters in Diverse Learning (Education). But I have Honor degrees in Geology, English, and Elementary Education. I've always had an endless curiosity about the world, and thanks to Google and other online resources I look like I remember more than I do ~ lol! Have you heard about the Great Courses? I'm taking two right now, one on building better sentences and the other on the world's greatest geological wonders. I may not get to trek on the Tibetan Plateau now, but I can experience its amazing geology through courses like the one I am taking. I hope that you have a great week! Sending you love and hugs!
DeleteReminds me of my childhood dream of finding gold. Not much to be found here I'm afraid 🪙
ReplyDeleteYou were dreaming of finding gold, and I was dreaming of finding dinosaurs! But we both found love, and that's better than both! Have a great week, Adam!
DeleteSure looks like a great spot to take a hike. You don't see too many trail with accessible fishing areas, at least around here. Always good to give the new car a spin too.
ReplyDeleteHey, Pat! I can't believe how many people enjoy fishing. It was never my thing. I liked squid jigging though. Your nephews will certainly enjoy nature all of their lives after all you've shown and taught them. I do love our new car, and boy is it good to be driving again. Have an awesome week, my friend!
DeleteDestressing in nature is ALWAYS a great idea and I love that here it is possible for people with diabilities as well. This is the way it should be. I would have loved a good walk here as well. It looks like you had a really good time. Enjoy more fun drives with your new car.
ReplyDeleteHey, Pat! I can't believe how many people enjoy fishing. It was never my thing. I liked squid jigging though. Your nephews will certainly enjoy nature all of their lives after all you've shown and taught them. I do love our new car, and boy is it good to be driving again. Have an awesome week, my friend!
DeleteLovely outing
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine!
DeleteBeautiful scenery and fall colors. ADA parks are truly great. Enjoy your new car!! You are going to make some lovely memories.
ReplyDelete-Soma
Thanks, Soma! The trip filled my heart.
DeleteSo beautiful! I did not realize the ADA was so recent.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandi! I do love natural beauty. All the best to you!
DeleteCongratulations. I love your photos.
ReplyDeletewww.rare.blogspot.com
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete