October 8, 2019. Breckenridge.

October 8, 2019.  Breckenridge.  Yesterday we drove the 15 miles to Breckenridge.  Breckenridge is another mining town.  The major mineral found in the area was gold.  The exploration of the area followed on the heels of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859.  The miners had traveled to Colorado.  Having missed the load in Pike's Peak, they scattered further into the interior of Colorado continuing their search for gold.  They found it near Breckenridge along the banks of the Blue River.  Breckenridge was founded to serve the miners.  

Today, Breckenridge has a year-round population of about 5000.  There are many part time residents, especially during ski season.  The first ski slopes were cleared in the early 1960s.  Originally, the clearing was done on just one nearby peak.  Over the years, additional peaks were added and now there are five peaks with ski runs.  It is the 8th largest ski resort in Colorado.

But, what I like about Breckenridge (and Frisco) is the patina the old town displays.  There are many original structures which have been surrounded by modern stores and homes.  The log structure shown above is the original home of Edwin Carter, a prospector and naturalist, built in 1875.  It is now the Edwin Carter Discovery Museum.

Today, we drove to Keystone.  We didn't spend much time there because it is a little too modern for my taste.  We did find the development where our friends of nearly 40 years have a vacation home.  The development is new and very nice. 

Tomorrow, we plan to drive to Aspen.  It's about two hours from Dillon over Independence Pass, elevation 12,095 feet above sea level.  Our drive will also take us past Leadville, elevation 10,151 feet, the highest incorporated city in the United States.  

The weather dudes are predicting snow and blizzard-like conditions Thursday.  Dillon may get half a foot of white stuff, temperatures near zero with winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour.  If that actually happens, and I have my doubts, we will stay inside.  We brought fall clothing, but we didn't bring blizzard clothing.  The good news is that the snow will be spotty and it may miss us altogether.  I'll tell you later if my fingers aren't too frozen to type.

Goodnight.