When I got back home from my latest trip, I started catching up on world news. When I learned what all is going on in the world, I very quickly decided to get the Hell out of the present. So I fired up my Way-the-Hell-Back Machine, pointed it back 10.5 years, and navigated to Leadville, Colorado – the highest incorporated city in America. Denver likes to call itself the Mile High City, since its official elevation is 5,280 feet. But at an elevation of 10,152 feet, the city of Leadville is nearly TWO miles high! Let’s check the place out, shall we?
I tried to fight this building. It hurt me.A few pics ofdowntown Leadville to start. Here’s the Masonic Temple, built in 1910.Buildings this big show this was no ordinary mining camp.Leadville was served by at least two different railroads back in the day. This was the station for the Colorado & Southern RR.Look at the plow on that guy!
We have now walked uphill and east a few blocks, and can look back across downtown to the west…
The snow-covered beastie in the background is Mount Massive.This trail forms a loop, passing through some of the old mining areas.A old mineA old mineMount MassiveDead mine buildingsHeadframe atop an old mine shaftHeadframe atop an old mine shaftIt’s a fixer-upper!
In case you hadn’t noticed…it’s cold out here! I’m heading back into town…
This is a Bill Cosby character, called Old Weird Hydrant.Over 2700 people live in Leadville today. Some live in the old “original” houses……some appear to have built new houses in the old Victorian style……some have a detached garage……and some have a multi-car garage.The building has been drinking…not me.Another cool downtown building…I’m guessing this wasn’t its original color, though.
Sadly, I must return to the present. My meds are wearing off. Let’s do this again next Thursday; I’m not entirely sure when / where we’ll go, but I think we’ll go through Phantom Canyon to get there.
Voyages with Parkinson's 