Inter-Laken Resort

 Today the Inter-Laken Resort at Twin Lakes Colorado is a National Historic Monument. Back in 1879 it was the go to destination resort where the wealthy went to relax. Ads at the time stated a billiard hall, grand pavilion, fine grounds for amusement and good stable accommodations. The hotel also advertised an indoor two-seater pus hot and cold water baths and a table supplied with the best in the market. Croquet was played on the lawn and guests could ride on the Idlewild, a 50 foot steamboat or a 30 foot cutter yacht called The Dauntless. Other guests preferred rowboats and canoes. Other activities included fishing, horseback riding, and hunting.

Our boat has arrived

Heading over to Inter-lake on the other side of Twin Lakes. 

There is a 5 mile trail if you want to hike in.

Inter-lake coming into view

Back in the day manicured landscaping would have surrounded the buildings.

The stables

Ice house and granary 

Six sided outhouse for guests

All that remains of the chicken coop

In 1995, the resort owner James Dexter build a summer home for his family.

Only the finest woods were imported from the East coast.

A very cramped bathroom. 

There is toilet to the right of the sink crammed in under the stairs

Second floor bedroom. Great views of the lake

Old time craftsmanship. 

Such great detail in a spot you would seldom look at.

The only closet in the house

Stairs the third floor look out.

360 degree views.

The striped wood pattern would drive me nuts.

Dexter died in 1899 and with him the resort.

But the summer home continued to be used by the family for years to come.

St. Elmo

The first white settlers arrived in the early 1870s. By 1875 a high grade vein of silver ore was discovered on nearby Chrysolite Mountain. The mine was named the Mary Murphy.  The profitable mine and the arrival of the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad in the 1880s spurred rapid growth. In 1880, the town was laid out and christened Forest City. However, Forest City, California was already in existence, so the post office would not allow the name. The town was renamed St. Elmo, possibly after a popular novel of the time written by Augusta Evans. The population increased rapidly and reached an estimated peak of 2,000 in 1881. Two fires did  much to drive the town residents away. These factors, combined with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893, marked the beginning of St. Elmo slow decline. When the railroad closed down in 1926 and the Mary Murphy mine closed in the 1930s, there were only a handful of full time residents remaining. St. Emo is one of the most intact ghost towns in the West, and most buildings have seen few alterations since they were constructed. All the building are privately owned.

Mary, Steven, Janel, Don, Jane, Gary, Adrienne, and me

Needs new drapes

Tin sheet siding

Lots of rusty stuff for sale

The store sells packets of sunflower seeds for 50 cents. 

You then take them across the street and feed the chipmunks.

The 4th

 We decided to celebrate the 4th at home. We played games and had a Burn Your Own. You bring the meat you want to grill and a side dish to share. 

Everyone says hi. Lots of red, white and blue

Playing charades. My team won.

The raw egg race

Jane the winner

Meat is on the grill

Dining al fresco

Playing Rummikub

Salida

Headed for the National Forrest at the base of Mt Antero.

The gangs all here, thirty

Some of the local wild life

Games at Don and Jane's rig

Salida is a charming little town perched on the banks of the Arkansas River

Nice little park down by the river

Water sports are huge here. There is a river walk and the town has created drops 

in the river for kayakers and paddle boarders to play in.

How good is your roll?

They were really good, 

unfortunately I could not get my videos to load. 

I think it is a size problem 

A good lunch with good friends 

Medical Hiatus

 The last week in April I become short of breath and could not walk a mile without being exhausted and panting for oxygen.  I went to the ER in Page, AZ the following week. They said my blood panel looked good and there was no reason to stop traveling. Two weeks later, not feeing better, I went to the ER in Kanab, UT. They did a chest X-ray. I had a lung infection and fluid in my chest cavity. They prescribed meds. A week later I went to the ER in Panguitch for a follow up. Another X-ray showed that the infection was gone, but the fluid was still there. It also showed nodules in my lung and my trachea. They told me the fluid needed to be drained and that I should go home for treatment. Arriving back in San Jose after a two days marathon drive, I went into the ER. After tests and an X-ray, they drained the fluid, 1,700 ml.

Looks gross, but lab tests showed nothing nasty.

There was immediate relief. Got home and took a walk. No shortness of breath.  The remaining time has been spent getting an appointment with a Pulmonary specialist and more X-rays .  He did a Bronchoscopy to check out the Nodules. Happy to report they were benign. 

Met with my Pulmonary specialist Tuesday and he gave me a clean bill of health. I am good to travel.

Heading East to Colorado.