September 30, 2019. Pearl Street and Searching for Color.

September 30, 2019.  Pearl Street and Searching for Color.  We have spent the last two days anchored in Longmont.  Yesterday, we watched the Chiefs beat Detroit, then drove the short distance to Boulder.  There is a revitalized downtown retail area there called the Pearl Street Mall.  We've been there once before and were entertained by the street performers and unique visitors, many of whom are locals who come to town when the moon is full.  The first grouping of pictures were taken on Pearl Street.  Annie Farkley finally found a bear she wasn't afraid of.  That must be because the bear is such a dapper dresser.  

Today, we set out to tour some small mountain towns west of here.  First on our list was Nederland.  The road to Nederland goes through Boulder Canyon.  We made it about six miles on the winding, mountainous, narrow highway before we were turned back by a flag-woman who told us there were repairs being made ahead and we should go back the way we came.  I asked if there was another route to Nederland.  Yes, she said, but she didn't know what it was.  So, back we went to Boulder, checked the GPS, and took another route.

We made it about six miles on that route and were detoured to another road.  Four or five miles later, we were met with another detour which led us to Ward.  That was fine, because it was a town we wanted to visit, too.  A mile outside of Ward, we were met with additional construction, one-lane traffic and a dirt road.  

We began to realize that we had been climbing in altitude since leaving Boulder.  Our reward was a brilliant display of golden aspen splayed across the mountains.  Before seeing the aspens, we saw a dozen or more vehicles on the shoulder of the road.  They were, apparently, in search of color, too.  

We stopped in Nederland and milled around a bit.  It is an interesting mix of old and new.  There was a small shopping area and a cafe located in a rail car advertised as having belonged to Buffalo Bill Cody.  I don't necessarily vouch for that.  Could be, I suppose.  We saw interesting artistic doors on some older houses.  One such door had a sign next to it telling us that the property was posted.  I wonder why the resident would go to the trouble of elaborately decorating the door, then tell others to stay away.  Curious.  

It has been another couple of good days.  Tomorrow, we will move on to Dillon where we will be in a condo for two weeks.  Dillon is in Summit County, Colorado.  It is surrounded by ski resorts, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and others.  We will be at elevations over 9000 feet.  I am looking forward to breathing in the thin, crisp, autumn air. 

Goodnight.