The Leadville Loop

It’s a holiday weekend and the weather is beautiful. Why spend time in the kitchen when we can go out and explore? And explore we did too. Mike, Lauren, Larry and I packed a picnic lunch (more like a feast really) and off we went. This time, we headed up to Leadville. Mike and Lauren had never been to Leadville before, so it was a new adventure for them.

Leadville is an old mining town up in the mountains. The air is thinner up there and it is definitely for the hearty; not for the faint of heart, both literally and figuratively. Perched at 10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado is North America’s highest incorporated city. This former gold and silver boomtown is located in the Colorado Rockies, flanked by the state’s two tallest peaks (Mount Elbert and Mount Massive) and brimming with Wild West history and Victorian architecture. Established in 1877, the former Ute hunting ground exploded into a legendary Wild West boomtown with fortunes built on gold, silver, and molybdenum. Today, it survives as a vibrant, well-preserved National Historic Landmark District. When the Climax mine suffered major closures in the 1980s, Leadville transitioned into a hub for heritage tourism and outdoor endurance sports, like skiing and bike racing. Leadville was home to quite a few famous people too, like “Doc” Holiday, from 1883-1887 and full-time residents such as Horace and “Baby Doe” Tabor, Molly Brown, Jesse Fuller McDonald, Martin Duggan, and Molly May.

The drive up. The mountains were still covered with fresh snow packs, as recent as just a few days ago.

We found a picnic spot at a local park to enjoy our lunch. The weather was a bit chilly, but we didn’t mind. The view was beautiful.

We even had a little visitor join us. It’s not a prairie dog. I think it is a little marmot.

After our lunch, we packed everything back into the car, found a parking spot in town, and walked and took in the sights around town. Leadville is a quirky, colorful little town, with a rich history.

I love all the colorful houses and buildings. They are full of personality.

This house was the house of Horace and “Baby Doe” Tabor. They made their fortunes from the silver mines, as did the Browns. You all know the famous Molly Brown from the Titanic. Well, her husband was a silver tycoon, making his fortunes from the Leadville mines.

The Silver Dollar Saloon was made famous, or infamous, by the legendary “Doc” Holliday.

And just taking in the sights of the town.

I thought this was a fun play on words, combining library and burro together.

A tribute to the present day Leadville

and to it’s past.

We left just in time to see the train pull out of the station too.

And this train made its last run down the tracks a long time ago. Now it rests at its final whistle blow.

We took one scenic drive up to Leadville, and came back down on another scenic route.

We all had a very good, enjoyable day, with beautiful weather and bright blue skies. You can’t ask for more than that. It doesn’t matter what you do, just make everyday great. Life is short. Live life to the fullest and enjoy the ride. ‘Til next time.