Wed Sept 16th Moose, Aspens

Today is our last full day in Silverton.  Jim talked to the factory in Red Bay, Alabama this morning and it sounds like the wait list for service is growing daily, so we decided it best to head there and get some RV repairs out of the way.   It was sad telling all the local friends good-by.   Summer went by so fast.

First of all, I have to share this rainbow from yesterday.  It was closer to the ground than any one I have ever seen.  I believe the pot of gold was at a local jewelry store. 

Early this morning, a big bull moose walked in the field in front of the RV

(I'm sure he came to say bye):

We took a little time and drove around the edge of town looking at the Aspen:

And here's a sweet doe:

Do I want to be green, gold, or orange?

 Will sure miss hearing this train whistle:

 One last drive thru town;

Lunch at Handlebars:

Dinner at Teller House tonight with Sig & Denny,

Vern & Jane, Jim:

Early tomorrow morning, we will be headed East.  

Sept 13th, KENDALL MTN

Definitely feeling the approach of the winter season.  Ice on the windshield every morning, though days usually get into the high 60s, low 70s.  One morning dropped to 27 degrees.  Summer residents are leaving and we have said good-by to several friends.  Things slowed down in town for a couple of days.  Now we are seeing an influx of leaf-peepers and hunters.  The animals must be carrying calendars & realize hunting season is here. They seem to have disappeared.  We are lucky if we see a chipmunk when we go out these days.

We went out today in search of golden Aspens.  They seem to be turning slower this year, but they are trying!  This is the entry to Kendall:

Up above treeline at the Titusville Mine, mostly produced silver & lead.

 Jim & Bonnie checking out some good rocks:

Headed to the town overlook.

We don't drive all the way on this one because there's no place to turn around.

 Looking down on Hwy 550.  See some pockets of gold Aspens at the switchback:

 The town of Silverton from Kendall Mtn:

Thurs, Sept 10th, GLADSTONE AREA MINES

We hit all the side trails west of Cement Creek-Gladstone area today along with Larry & Cathy and Bonnie & Ronny.  Looking at the National Geographic topical map, it shows about a dozen named trails.  We have only found four.  I know that one we were on was Prospect Gulch.  Not sure of the names of the other three.  Pretty sure one was Georgia Gulch.   It was pretty breezy in some spots.  Mornings are pretty cold now.  Last couple of days everything has been covered in frost.  This morning's temp was 29!

Trail thru the forest; wish I could post the smell:

 First "mine" stop:

 One of those climbs where you just have to have faith that the road keeps going:

 This is where we stopped for a picnic.  

We can look across and see trails we've taken on other days:

 Larry & Cathy:

 Bonnie & Ronny:

 Brandy (8yr old mom) and Annie (4 yr old dtr) stopped to give me some doggie kisses:

 On the way to another mine:

 Remains of the Galena Queen Mine:

 Vertical mine shaft:

 Larry was actually inside this mine.  That's Bonnie looking in:

 Bonnie found this "fresh" elk leg.  We looked,

but couldn't find signs of any other carcass:

 We have traveled this trail in the past - end of the trail today.

I'd call this a pretty big wash-out:

 Aspens starting to change colors at the lower elevations:

 Last mine stop of the day:

 Ronny & Bonnie headed home:

 There's a 3-row "shake & bake" on the top of this mountain and we 

have no clue how they got up there. 

Going to try to post a video of the Aspens shimmering:

(no clue if it will work)