and the Winners are.....

First, I would like to say THANK YOU to Everyone who stopped by my blog during this Autumn Giveaway! Y'all are WONDERFUL!!!!

I wrote the names on bits of paper, threw them into the cauldron, stirred and stirred and Hubby stuck his arm into the frothy mix to draw forth the names of the winners ~

Book #1  Creepy Susie - mrsduncanmahogany

Book #2  Pure Dead Magic - Debra She Who Seeks

Book #3  The Enchanted Garden - Justine's Halloween

Book #4  The Fairy Ring - Annette L

If you wonderful Ladies will please send me an email (jeanne.wildwoodsart@gmail.com) with your snail mail addys, I will get your books packaged up and shipped off. 

Autumn Blessings to each and everyone!

Mining's Lingering Legacy

Colorado's mining legacy consists of more than mounds of gravel, old Victorian houses and deep holes in the hillsides. There is a lingering, deadly after effect of the mining done in the last century. 

image source

Miners, searching for gold and silver, left other concentrated, toxic minerals exposed to the elements. Over the years, wind and rain have dissolved these minerals which then enter the local water supplies. Many of these water sources, local streams and rivers, have become so acidic that not even bugs can survive. And these water sources empty into Lake Dillon which is a water source for Denver and its suburbs.

image source

There is an estimated 450 abandoned mines in the state of Colorado that are leaking "toxic ooze" into local watersheds. And that number is a staggering 500,000 abandoned mines across the entire Western U.S. Unfortunately, Federal regulations state that any entity who tries to reduce the contamination can be held liable for a full-scale cleanup. So nothing has been done. But many County governments have begun to lobby to change Federal laws. I can only hope that something is done before it is too late.
To read more, Click Here!

Colorado's Mining History

 Colorado's history is rich with gold and silver. Many of the towns, and even cities, in Colorado today once started out as mining camps. Men got rich and towns flourished during the boom days of gold and silver.
Precious ores were first found on or near the ground's surface. Most notably in the streams and creeks. When this ran out, large dredges were brought in (by railroad) to process the streambeds - leaving behind mounds of gravel alongside the water.

Gravel mounds left from dredge mining operaitons

Hardrock mining - underground mining method used to extract ore - was used in areas where water wasn't present. This form of mining was dangerous, hard work.

Old Mill and abandoned mine on right

But all good things must come to an end. And evidence of these mines, and what's left of some towns, can still be seen in many locations.

The telltale evidence of an old mine is the brightly colored dirt and rocks seen on hillsides.

***Don't forget to enter my give-away! Click here to enter! Winners names will be announced on September 22.***