Cripple Creek and Crested Butte, CO

On our way to our next destination, we sort of stumbled upon the town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Serendipity! What a find! The town is located in the valley shown to the left, which was an epicenter of US gold mining in the last century. I think it had something like 300 gold mines at one time.  In fact, some gold mines are still in operation here. Now however, tourism reigns and a lot of money and effort have been invested in making the town a haven for tourists.

The original town was almost completely destroyed in two fires that leveled all the wooden buildings, so almost everything was reconstructed in brick. This is part of the main street. Interesting facades. I can't begin to tell you all the stuff we learned about gold mining while there, but this is a place worth visiting.

In a town built very quickly for thousands upon thousands of men who arrived seeking their fortunes in gold prospecting or working in gold mines, brothels were numerous and did a roaring business. One is now a museum. It was run by a series of women, each with a very keen business sense. This "Parlor House" that became a museum was the classiest place in town. An entire night with a girl there cost $250 - about $10,000 in today's currency. Since the town had at least 27 millionaires, these prices were apparently no deterrent.  This little table ornament dispensed cigarettes for customers hanging out in the parlor. We learned a lot about this side of a boom town!!!

Before reaching our next campground, we took a brief detour to see Crested Butte, CO. Mostly because it was raining and cold and we didn't feel like making camp in that weather :-(   I'm sure Crested Butte is lovely on a sunny day, but we were pretty miserable along with a lot of other people we saw on the streets there. ...

 Luckily we found a wonderful place to hang out and stay dry. It served great food.  It was an odd combination bar/restaurant that was decorated in very western US style,  combined with strongly Eastern overtones. Like lots of heavy wood and cowboy stuff next to low tables where people sat on floor cushions to eat Indian/Asian dishes. Buddhas on the wall and swagged draperies hung from the ceilings. Indy music. Odd. But nice.... 

One art alley on the main street had a small, beautiful grove of aspen right out front  - see the rain running down the bark?

Despite the rain and cold, the flowers along the main street of Crested Butte were lovely!

Next, on to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!!!