July 21st-July 22, 2014-Chalk Creek Canyon-Ghost Town-Continental Divide-Clear Creek Canyon & Ghost Town

Monday July 21, 2014 Our plans today after our "normal routine" was to go downtown Buena Vista & check out what the town has to offer.

We tried to check out the town before but we had "Mr. Otis" with us!!!

I've been wanting to poke around in this JUNK SHOP ever since we got to town, it's always been closed, Due to Illness....

Buena Vista had a lot of businesses in town, but only a few "fun shops" It didn't take to long to check everything out! That'll make Otis happy!

Our picnic today is at the RV, afterwards we're going sightseeing....so is Otis!

I know there's a dog close by, begging for a bite of hot dog!!!

After lunch we're off to an exciting adventure....We're taking the Chalk Creek Canyon driving tour which offers several ghost town sites!They are the remains of mining & railroad towns. who knows...maybe we'll see a ghost!?! Let's Go!!!

It's quite the scenic drive!

This is when you need a video camera to get the full effects of the waterfalls!

St. Elmo

The town of St Elmo is an authentic Colorado mining town.St Elmo was originally known as Forest City. It seems unbelievable that the now remote, deserted ghost town boasted a population of over 2,000 a hundred years ago!

We didn't see a ghost while walking around  St Elmo, or did we.........???

Who's that peeking out the window!?!

Although St Elmo is now a National Historic site, I couldn't help but wonder if it's really known for all the history behind it's name or.......the little ground squirrels that are just begging for a handout!?! I mean, why else would they sell sunflower seeds for feedings!?!

Otis wants a handout!?!

It was a fun day, but time to head back

before the late afternoon showers catch us!!

Looks like a busy day of sight seeing was just tooooooo much for Otis, or maybe a Ghost spooked him!?!

Tuesday July 22, 2014  Another day of sightseeing in in store for us today so let's get the ordinary routine out of the way & get started! There's sooooo much to see in this area, Colorado is truly a beautiful state. Lennie thinks the part of Colorado we're in right now(Buena Vista) is the prettiest part of Colorado we've been too? For me....it's too hard to judge, so much beauty!!!!

We're off to drive the Cottonwood Pass. At 12,126 feet on the Continental Divide, it's one of the highest passes in the U.S.

With scenery ALL AROUND us, I just start snapping!!!!!

Hey....what's that white stuff!?!

It's NOT sand!?!

We just drove up that road!

Today we put a different spin on our picnic! We decided to TAILGATE!!!

There were picnic tables available, we just wanted to do something different!

Even Otis seems to be enjoying this style of picnicking!

Or is he!?!

Who wouldn't enjoy this view!?!

More or the road below us!

Picnic packed up, time to enjoy more scenery!

Such strong shades of blue!

What's this crazy "wildlife" we see along the drive!?!

Otis thinks it's McDonald's on a hoof!?!

We finish up at Cottonwood Pass, but we're NOT finished yet! We drive north of Buena Vista

to Clear Creek Canyon & yet another ghost Town! The town of Vicksburg, an active mining town in the 1800s. Vicksburg, the town now deserted, had as many as 40 buildings by 1882.

We had a full day of scenery & history, but now it's time to head back to the RV, that picnic is starting to wear off!

Back at the RV, after dinner & dishes are done, we always take Otis out for his potty walk. We always take Otis out together, but.....if Lennie meets someone & starts talking......I will go on back to the RV, because......one never knows how long Lennie is going to chat with whoever he has on the hook!?! Tonight when we go out, Otis has barely taken care of business, when here comes our camping neighbor, Fred & his dog, Bella! I let Otis & Bella exchange doggie greetings, & then....Lennie & Fred start talking1 Fred & his wife have been our neighbor all week, so I know how long this conversation is going to take! Otis & I excuse ourselves & go back to the RV. I'm trying to blog, pretty soon Lennie is in the doorway excitedly telling me to grab the camera & come back outside!!! Good thing, the SUNSETS of all SUNSETS was blazing the sky. I mean BLAZING, it looked like a fire!

What a perfect ending to this day!!!