Eldorado Canyon State Park ~ Camping Hiking and Butterflies

 

 

 

Eldorado Canyon State Park

 

 

 

Camping beside a mountain stream is the image conjured in my mind at the mention of camping.  My first response to an invitation to go camping in Minnesota was "Oh you have mountains around here?"  not to diminish lake camping in the flatlands, but there's just something about roughing it next to a mountain stream.

 

One could spend hours playing,

 

 

wading,

 

or simply chucking stones, for want of a big splash.  It's simply divine.

 

Not to mention a good hike through the woods on a hot summer day.

 

Taking in some beautiful scenery.

 

Looking for butterflies or birds.

 

Did I mention the beautiful scenery. 

 

Eldorado Canyon is where I want to go on my next camping trip.

Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave on Look Out Mountain Golden Colorado

Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

 

 

Everyone loves stories of the wild west.

 

The wilder and crazier the better.

 

The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show told some pretty amazing ones.

 

One of his favorite places to look down over Denver, was Look Out Mountain.

 

So it comes as no surprise that he chose to be buried there.

 

Tiss a pretty impressive view.

The Cheese Cake Factory

The Cheese Cake Factory

 

I don't think I've ever had my fries served in a cup before.

 

 

Served with a delicious Cuban Sandwich.

 

 

And cheesecake!  One of the finest desserts ever made.

 

 

A favorite in my book to say the least.

Castles of Colorado ~ Castle Eyrie ~ Idaho Springs

 

Castle Eyrie

One day while sitting in Beaujos, we noticed a picture of a castle on the wall.  Upon asking the waitress, we found she knew little more than we did about the place.  After looking in my castle book we made another attempt to find it . . . To no avail.  This fall we made one more attempt to find it, while we were up taking pictures of fall colors.  I guess third time is the charm.  Its right in Idaho Springs on one of the off streets.  They have it pretty well camouflaged surrounded by foliage.  One could easily drive right by it completely missing it.  Being a private residence I can see why the owners would value their privacy.  Still ever the tourist even in my own state I was happy to finally make such a find.  Should you care to see more of our castle adventures you can find them here, here, here, and here.