Colorado Mining Town

The idyllic mountain town of Ophir, Colorado.

  Though most of the high mountain mines in Colorado have shuttered over the years as the silver and gold of the past era have dwindled. A few of the hamlets have made the conversion to mining other lucrative streams of revenue such as Aspen and Telluride with their tourist dollars and high end real estate. There are still those that offer the tiny mountain character that they once were to the hearty individuals that are willing to endure a little isolation. Ophir is one of those remnant townships. Basically over a mountain ridge from the disneyland that Telluride has become. The town is tucked in a valley at a lofty elevation of 9,700 feet with less than seventy residences, a post office and no retail businesses it is a bedroom community to neighboring populations especially located for individuals who are trying to develop high altitude edema. The peaks surrounding the area hold their snow well past the closing of ski areas in the state making it a mecca for late season ski touring. There are no paved roads off the highway so it makes a great destination for those trying to create the roughed up four wheeling visual on their spiffed up SUVs. It takes a hearty soul to live there but the views and access to the mountains is the real payoff.

Prayer flags on a porch hoping for snow.

Kimo learns what the hardy life really is.

Climbing for turns on Magnolia Mountain.

Hot feet do not stay that way long.

Sunsets over the west color the skies in winter.

River Rises Again

With buckets more rain falling on Texas the rivers are rising again so I got a chance to go on spring break without leaving town. Surf is good but the board shorts have to stay under the wetsuit thought since the water is a little colder than all those tropical paradises. None the less the surf works pretty well and being in landlocked Fort Worth I do not have to fight any crowds.

Paying Tribute for Life

Some walk to the front of the sanctuary in a slow and stoic amble. Others are bowed head and crying from the mention of the name. All of those gathered are here to pay tribute to a friend, family member or loved one who helped a stranger in need. Every year LIfeGift, the local organ procurement organization takes an evening to remember and show appreciation to those organ donors that gave others a chance to live a more normal and longer life after their passing. I personally am not one to wear my emotions on my sleeve but every year I shed tears for those that passed, many at a much too early age. This year the water works started as a young girl broke down while here parents tried to remain strong and help here pick up a rose for her younger sister who passed away. Though I do not know the back story of all the faces that are portrayed on the screen it makes me appreciate the goodness in the hearts of humankind. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.