Sept. 8, 2010

Location: Steamboat Springs
Coordinataes: N 40 27.727'   W 106 48,657'
Elevation: about 7000'

It rained last night, and I never heard anything!  I woke at about 5:00 a.m. the first time.  I opened the door to find a puddle outside, but at that time the sky was clear with stars filling the sky.  Whenever that happens to me, I wish I knew the stars better.  Only able to identify Orion and the Big and Little Dippers, I am envious of Lewis and Clark (and of all explorers from an earlier time) and their ability to navigate by the constellations.

Later when I actually got up, around 6:00, the sun was just beginning to rise.  The outline of black mountains against the sky was stunning.  I hope my photo will capture that.

Moments late the sunrise filled the sky with color!

These were taken from the balcony; needless to say, the sky only got better.  However, all day, we went from sun to rain, which actually worked out fine. We were flexible in our activities, so everything worked out really well.  It rained around 7:30 a.m., but cleared up by 10:00 so we tackled our short hike at that time.  The short mile and a half trek took us to Fish Creek Falls.  These don't compare to Lewis and Clark's  Great Falls of the Missouri (and we hdidn't have to portage around them), but they do provide water for Steamboat Springs and surrounding areas.  Somehow they regulate the amount of water released over the falls by storing it in ponds high on the mountain.

Friend Meredith stands in front of the falls.

After the falls, we went into Steamboat Springs to get lunch at Lyons Drug Store, after visiting F. M. Light and Sons Western Store.  For those of you from the Midwest, you'll be interested to know that "Mr. Light" and his family moved from Hicksville, Ohio in 1905 to this area.  They started a western clothing store ... even went to ranchers' homes to get to know them and their clothing needs, and then he would send orders to the store and they would be mailed to the ranchers.  He was quite a marketer.  I have to say they have amazing buyers; the merchandise is unique!  Look at this wall of cowboy boots!

Tempted, but strong!

Guess who we found in Steamboat?  He was sitting outside a book store.

What are you reading these days, Abe?

My brother called right after Meredith and I had finished lunch at the old-fashioned soda fountain at the drugstore.  It was a timely call since it was starting to rain again, and he mentioned the Steamboat Library, suggesting we see it.  So off we went and we were blown away.  It is so user friendly and totally beautiful.  These stained glass windows are in the children's section.

After the library, we headed across the street to the Art Depot, where local artists display their work.  Classes in dance are held there, too.

From there we went to the Steamboat Botanical Gardens.  Lewis and Clark would have loved it, just as we did.  We learned the names of some local plants we'd seen on our hike ... wonderful place.

Oh and I forgot to mention the hot sulphur springs after which Steamboat was named.  They smell awful!  But when 3 French Canadians arrived here way back when, they thought the bubbling of the spring sounded like steamboats ... hence the name came into being.  There are about 5 of these in the area ... we saw just one.  It made me think of Lewis medicating Sacajewea (sp) during the Corps trip.  Once she was quite sick, and he took her water from a sulphur spring.  I would think the smell would scare the illness out of you!  I know you can't smell it, but use your imagination!

Very odiferous sulphur spring ... water is blackish.

Tomorrow we're off to the Tetons!  Onward and upward!