Colorado Kimmie

This hike "Uranium Mine Trail" in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is such a serene hike and flashback in history!  To get to this hike, you'll need to drive to the parking lot at the end of Fish Creek Falls Road (where you can hike down to the base of Fish Creek Falls, which is a spectacular hike in itself.)  I believe the parking is $5. The hike to the uranium mines is roughly only 1.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 800 feet.  Several switchbacks take you to a breathtaking panoramic view of the canyon.  You'll see stunning Aspen trees, which Steamboat Springs is known for, along with some berry bushes that pop with the contrast of the white bark from the Aspens.  You may even see a bear!  Some folks on my hike saw a bear, and let me just say, "Bears love berries!" This trail/hike actually used to be a road to access the uranium mine at the top.  In the early 1950's, the United States was in a race with the Soviets to stock pile nuclear weapons and w...

I wanted to share something that a lot of people do not think about when purchasing new appliances (from a store like Lowe's, Home Depot, JC Penny's, or other similar stores).  When you purchase in-store and get these appliances delivered, you have the right to know who the store is contracting with so you can look up their ratings and make sure everything is on the up and up! This past summer, my brother experienced an electrical surge which basically rendered his refrigerator useless.  He went to Home Depot on an appliance sale to order a new fridge.  The customer service was really bad, and he was charged full price for the refrigerator instead of the sales price.  It took over a week to get the refund back.  That was a $300 overcharge.  When the refrigerator was finally delivered, two men showed up and immediately asked to use the restroom.  To me, this is not professional at any time, but it's just not sanitary during COVID to ask to use someone's...

October hikes are the best.  Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of hiking to Zapata Falls near Mosca, Colorado.  Zapata Falls is known as one of Colorado's "Hidden Gems" because it's way off the beaten path.  You cannot find it unless you're looking for it.    This hike is only 0.9 miles round trip and is open to almost all skill levels.  I say this, because, as you near the falls, you have to hike through a chilly creek bed (or rock hop over some pretty slick rocks...or boulder along the side of the creek).  Dogs are definitely welcome!  The hike is perfect for the bird watcher as well! Some of the great perks of this hike is the vantage point you get of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve!  And, there are also great views of San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area.  Also, if you hike this in the Winter months, the waterfall is frozen solid (like it's frozen in time). If you ever make it out to Zapata Falls, you'll want a 4 w...

Exciting Goal Crushing Post!   Manitou Springs Incline is a fitness challenge for most Coloradans.   Since visiting Colorado last year, the Manitou Springs Incline, the Eastern flank of Pike's Peak, has been sitting on my bucket list growing spider webs.  This past weekend, while trying to escape the raining ash from the forest fires, I had an opportunity to crush this goal while traveling through Manitou Springs! Before it was a workout, it was a cable car!  It started as a cable tram during the construction of the hydroelectric plant and waterline.  Later it was purchased to become a tourist attraction, hauling tourists up and down Mount Manitou in 16 minutes.  In the 1990's it got entirely too expensive to maintain; and thus, the railway was removed.  However, the railroad ties left behind became inviting for hikers and fitness enthusiasts.   Hiking the Incline only became legalized in 2013.  The Manitou Springs Incline was ...