Fairplay (South Park) a restored town

Original 1882 Church in Como Co an old town that still has about 200 people living there.
Tools for surgery as used in the 1800's in South Park
The operating table - note the basin for washing his hands before surgery.
The soda fountain "where the name soda jerk" came from.
Across the valley and you can see Como to the right middle of the photo.
One of the original homes in the restored town of South Park.
The kitchen of the above home-notice the newspaper on the walls. It is used for insulation.
Note the date on the newspaper from the walls.
What a beautiful day for walking the town. Notice the colors -not as bright as the east coast as the trees here are mainly Aspens and turn yellow then brown.
Another view across the valley.
In old times the carpenter shop was also the morgue/funeral home. He was the one who did all the building so they were combined.
This is one side of the inside of the carpenter shop-used for the funeral home. She is selecting a coffin and the brochures to be used in the services.
The old bank had some items on display like this 1893 check.
The bank also had this old Dictaphone.
Supplementing retirement, Bill is still trying all the vaults. He may do better at Walmart as a greeter.This church was moved to South Park in 1897 and is still in great condition.
Bill setting inside the church-looking at the ceiling to be sure it does not fall on him.

adding Colorado & it's sights

Adding Colorado and a several weeks stay to see everything

A drive though the Rocky Mountains shows a man in kilts with the music playing in the background at a roadside overlook.
A look across the top of the Rockies and the distant glaciers(the light spots)
We encountered fog in one area on the way down, but it cleared quickly.
The trees are turning in the Rockies-some of the rust colors are due to the bark beetle killing the fir trees. They turn red before they die off.
A herd of elk in the Estes Park are in the rut time of year. The males bugle loudly before chasing a chosen female. It is quit an experience to see and hear.
Someone decorated a fir tree for Christmas and has left the decorations on year around. Quit a site in the forest.One of the small towns had some furniture outside that they made. A rather large rocking chair.

Another shot across the top of the Rockies. They were never clear enough to get a good shot at ground level. But we will keep trying.

South Dakota Badlands , Black Hills & Nebraska

a bit of South Dakota history:

Did you know: When gold was found in the Black Hills the land belonged to the Native Americans by a peace treaty signed in the 1868? That made the white man aliens to the land. Due to the small military at the time they tried but could not keep the white man out and eventually gave up. So I guess you could say the gold miners stole the land back due to sheer numbers of the time. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hills_Gold_Rush for more information on this.

We add South Dakota and Nebraska to our map.

A couple of sunrise photos from our campground.

A double rainbow after the rain -what a treat. The camp owner said they usually have doubles when it rains here.
One of the many tunnels in the Custer State Park. It requires honking before you enter.
Long horn sheep - aren't they beautiful. Some of the animals we saw in our drives.
Wild turkeys are everywhere. Ready for thanksgiving?
Wild burros were very friendly. If you stop they came up to the window. They are known as begging burros.
Prairie Dogs were all over the flatlands. These came up to the parking lot as a family was feeding them. Usually they run away.
A herd of Prong Horn Sheep grazing by the side of the road.
There are many roads like this in the Custer State Park. The road we ended up on is in the second photo.This is in Hot Springs and is a hot mineral waterfall that goes into a pool. It is and has been used for years by the Natives as well as all the local peoples for healing.
This Saloon is in Scenic SD and has longhorn skulls all over the sign.

This is an example of the castle rocks that is also a tunnel in the Badlands. Several photos of the Badlands are shown below.
Numerous formations like this an be seen everywhere.
This one is called Chimney Rock - double click for a closer look.
It is really beautiful.
There is a lot of red to the land as shown in these mountains.
One of the many lakes in the area.

Close enough for a quick trip to Chadron Nebraska and a look of the area. And another State is added.
Various photos of the countryside.

I love old buildings regardless of the shape theysare in.