Summer Vacation - the Colorado chapter

 Our road trip took us through New Mexico and Colorado to Wyoming, and a little bit into Utah. Here is the Colorado part of the trip.

First, a stop for lunch in Alamosa, CO. The olympic torch is a prop given to all the Alvarado teachers to use as a Flat Stanley on our summer adventures.

Next, a stop to stretch, walk around, and take photos of the beautiful scenery.

We stayed in Leadville, CO for a night on both ends of the trip to break up the driving time to Wyoming. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the U.S. at just over 10,000 ft. A former mining town, it was settled during the gold rush. The day we arrived Leadville was hosting a 50 mile trail run and the next morning there was a 50 mile mountain bike race! I guess if you're an extreme athlete then running your race at an extreme elevation is a good thing? I went for a walk on the paved bike path and observed the start of the bike race.

On our second pass through Leadville we stayed at the historic Delaware Hotel. It was super cool! It did lack an elevator, and climbing to the third floor (very high ceilings make for long staircases) with all our luggage at that elevation felt a bit like mountain climbing. 

I walked around Leadville in the evening and the next morning. It would definitely be worth going back and staying a few days to see the museums and ride the train.

I sat in this cute little park after my morning walk, with a soy latte and vegan muffin, just enjoying the sunshine, letting Stephen sleep in before the long drive home. Mornings were 40 - 50 degrees, afternoons in the high 70's.