Day 9 - Golden, CO (Day 1)

Yesterday we noted that It was hot, dry and windy when we arrived in Limon.  We forgot what happens when the sun goes down out here.  The wind died by sunset and the temperature dropped to the high 50s overnight ... it was a great night for sleeping!

We were on the road by 9:30am.  The 104 mile trip followed I-70W through Denver to Colfax Avenue (Exit 262), then went west on Colfax to the Dakota Ridge RV Park.  We're staying here until Saturday.

Along the way:

The Colorado terrain becomes more
interesting as we approach Denver

Smoke from fires in AZ and UT hid the
Rockies from sight until we reached Denver

Golden:
We set-up the trailer then drove to old town Golden for lunch before heading for Nederland.

.
Old town was attractive and alive with shoppers and diners.  We had a great lunch at The Capitol Grill.  We plan to do more exploring here on Friday.

Nederland:
After lunch we went to Nederland to meet Stu Horowitz (Carol's brother-in-law).  The route was north from Golden to Boulder on CO-93, then west up Canyon Drive to Nederland at 8,228 ft.

Views along CO-93 between
 Golden and Boulder

The Nederland town website describes it as "a town like no other".  We pondered a one-word description and came up with "eccentric".  A few views from around town ...

They offer a wide selection of goods
& services ... including marijuana

This used to be Kay's shop
Magnolia Pottery

This plaque is placed by the covered bridge

This train carriage is a coffee shop

Stu and Kay (Carol's sister) Horowitz lived here for about 35 years.  Kay died 9 years ago and Stu has since moved to Denver.  However, Stu became involved with the Carousel of Happiness Project.  He helped build a carousel in Nederland and travels there every week to volunteer.  The project was envisioned by a Viet Nam veteran who hand-carved all the animals ... it took 26 years!

The kids love it

The carousel has a puppet theatre upstairs.  We both got into the act and put on a show.

Carol was full of monkey business

Dick's fox searched for and found a foxy lady

Dinner:
Stu got off work at 5:30pm.  We went further up the mountain for a pleasant dinner at the Sundance Cafe, then drove about 50 miles back to the campground.

Tomorrow:
We're going to tour some of Denver with Stu.