The Land of Melting Shadows

There once was a land, no further away than your imagination. A Land where the Trees’ whispers can be heard on the wind. And the squirrels chitter and chatter as they scamper to and fro amongst the branches - playing their endless game of tag.

A Land where the Brooks babble endlessly amid fern covered banks. Fish and Tadpoles play a game of Leapfrog in the clear, cool water and Turtles sunbathe nearby.

A Land where the tall Grasses sway in the breeze as if dancing to a distant tune. Wild flowers wave their petals at the busy Bees who fly by; Beckoning to them. Enticing them.

A Land where the Deer graze peacefully in the lush, green valleys. A Land where the Birds and the Faeries gather in the bushes of an evening to share the day's gossip. And the Frog serenade, with Cricket accompaniment, continues well into the night.

A Land where the morning sun melts the night into the shadows of the day. And at sunset the shadows melt into night. But there are times when the shadows melt into things best left to one’s imagination.

A Land of Melting Shadows.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Phantom Canyon ~ pt.2

Phantom Canyon road was originally built in 1892 and two years later a narrow gauge railroad was built over the roadbed. The railroad hauled coal and supplies to the mining camps of Cripple Creek and Victor and brought gold ore back down the mountain for refining. There were 12 stations along the route to service these trains. Evidence of some of the stations can still be seen while others are lost to elements.

What remains of a water tower

Lone Telegraph Pole

In 1912 a flash flood with a wall of water 30ft high swept down the canyon, damaging tracks, bridges and dwellings. The railroad was rebuilt at a higher level but its life was short-lived. The tracks were dismantled in 1915 and by 1918, the road was opened once again to vehicle traffic.

Only remaining steel bridge from the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad

The origins of the name, Phantom Canyon, are unknown. It might have been simply a marketing campaign on behalf of the railroad or it might have been from the shadows cast by the ginormous rocks which can be found in the canyon. In any case, it was a beautiful drive.

Even though we took this trip at the end of September, there wasn't much color to the trees. Large green patches would be next to trees that had already dropped their leaves. But the few bright spots of color did make us exclaim, "There is Gold in them thar hills!"

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Road Trip ~ Phantom Canyon, pt. 1

When Hubby and I took our annual Autumn road trip to view the changing of the leaves, we took the road unexplored. We decided to head to the high country by way of the Phantom Canyon Road, an old railroad route which ran from Florence to Cripple Creek. This road is now part of the Gold Belt Tour - a scenic road tour to the Gold Belt area of Cripple Creek.

We drove south around the base of Cheyenne Mountain (remember, it's the home of the Stargate!) towards the town of Florence. Florence is located near the Arkansas River and began its life as a railroad depot. Later it was home to the mills that processed the gold ore which was brought down from the gold mines in the Cripple Creek/Victor area.

Not far from the edge of Colorado Springs, we saw a place that went on our "must see" bucket list. May Natural History Museum, one of the world's largest private displays of giant tropical insects and arachnids. Sounds interesting!

The terrain leading into the Arkansas River Valley was dry and populated with cactus and sage brush. It was also quite expansive. It never ceases to amaze me, the force with which water can move and sculpt a landscape. It is not far from here that the Royal Gorge resides. Another item on our Road Trip Bucket List.

Phantom Canyon Road is a fairly well maintained dirt road which runs for 30 miles and climbs almost 4000ft. in elevation. The roadbed, often only wide enough for one car, follows Eightmile Creek and was built by hand! Some of the original stonework which helped to build up the roadway, can still be seen. I am continually amazed at not only the ingenuity but the perseverance of the pioneers.