After our short time in Colorado Springs we headed up into the mountains to the beautiful retirement home of our longtime friends Bruce and Marsha Jackson. Here are the Jacksons on their front deck. They are many miles from anywhere -- at about 9,000 feet. We enjoyed immensely a night in their charming log home. What a gorgeous spot!
Shortly after our arrival, Marsha challenged us with, "Want to go 4 wheelin?"
Wow, did we have a great time. We spent close to two hours and traveled over 20 miles on the rugged trails of the National Forrest that is close to their property. Here we are climbing a steep grade.
Before we ended our fun Connie took her turn at the controls.
From the Jackson's place we headed north and west over Independence Pass.
I wanted to go over this pass to commemorate our aborted attempt to navigate this highway in 1977. At that time we did not gain the summit because our Mercury station wagon stalled half-way up the mountain -- right in the traffic lane. The problem was compounded because we were pulling an 18' travel trailer.
God, in His graciousness, rescued me and sent along a highway work crew to tow us to this turn-off. In 2010 it dawned on me that this was the only place on that 30 mile stretch of mountain highway where I could turn around a vehicle pulling a trailer. I am so thankful for the way the Lord protected our young family from my foolishness.
For two days we stayed in historic Glenwood Springs. The Hot Springs pool has been a famous spot for over 120 years. I took youth camping trips to this area in the late 1960s and the Hot Springs pool was a must stop for the teenagers.
In January of 1969 we stayed a night in the old hotel and swam in the pool. The temp was 104 in the pool even while the snow was falling.
On the 1977 family trip we camped in this campground 35 miles south of Glenwood Springs.
After taking teenagers to this area for several years, I wanted to camp with our family at this tranquil spot on the Crystal River near the isolated town of Marble, CO.
Marble is near the site of the famous Yule Marble Quarry. It was in this very area where I led four camping trips from 1967-1970.
We did not hike up to the Quarry this year, but were able to see these huge marble chunks that wait to be transported to various parts of the world. From this quarry came the marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other monuments in Washington, D.C.
A few miles from Marble is the quaint village of Redstone. Connie took over behind the counter in the General Store -- for a few seconds. From there we headed for Vail...and our 45th Anniversary Celebration.
We decided to take the gondola ski lift up to the mid-mountain.
I had skied Vail years ago with our son Chad, and it was fun to see the view in the summer.
The view is fantastic and the weather was perfect.
What a great place to celebrate 45 wonderful years!
On the way down we could see I-70 stretching to the east.
That evening we had a wonderful anniversary dinner in Dillon, CO, right by the Dillon Reservoir.
On our final full day in Colorado I wanted to visit Eldorado Springs near Boulder. On a 1971 trip to this area we stayed in a campground near the old resort hotel. I was amazed that even though the resort is history, the swimming pool is still operational.
It was especially amazing to see the same old slide in service. Here is a picture of me going down that same slide in 1971.
We will remember this trip and the beauty of God's creation for years to come.
