Alpine Loop on Saturday

 Starting out on dirt roads - dirty windshield

Starting out on 'dirt' roads. Can you believe this is the third day of four-wheeling? No wonder the windshield is so dirty!

View back down the valley, from Animas Forks Animas Forks mine Informational sign about Animas Forks One of the buildings being restored - two stories

They are restoring some of the buildings in Animas Forks.

Two girls in a second story window Leona and Becca in the second story window

Becca and her cousin Leona even ventured into the second story on a rebuilt or reinforced stairway in one of the buildings.

Richard at the bottom of the stairs SIL Missy at the foot of the stairs Rich hiding and Missy up in the second story window

Richard and Missy also trusted the stairs, but I decided not to chance it!

Our makeshift "church" for the renewal of our vows Beautiful mountain covered in green building and mine tailings behind it

The photo on the left is our makeshift "church" where we renewed our vows. In the summer, with the extra rain it is green and gorgeous all around. Hard to imagine he deep snow during the winter.

Exploring the buildings Becca and Leona walking out of a house Kiyanna exploring Kiyanna prancing around Jonathan standing Jonathan smiling for the camera as he puts his sweater up

Everyone enjoyed our renewal of vows and the long stop to explore Animas Forks, enjoy the sunshine and fellowship.

another view of Animas Forks the roads around Animas Forks Looking back down at Animas Forks

Views in every direction are beautiful and speak of the grand creation of God, and the strength of human settlers and miners as well.

water stream The streams form at the snow in the mountaintops

There are little streams of water from the snow still melting near the top. Even for the end of July there were areas of snow that I doubt will melt before the new snows start.

Kiyanna walking Abbie on her leash Jonathan, Kiyanna and Abbie the dog on her leash

Even Kiyanna (who used to be afraid of dogs) took a turn keeping Abbie on her leash.

San Juan Chief Mill where we stopped for lunch Part of the brick area that housed the smelter A large ore crusher to break up the large rocks into small pieces Looking over the ruins and learning Large settling tanks to seperate gold from lighter ore and metals

We stopped for lunch at San Juan Chief Mill.

Beautiful view across the valley blue mountains in the background, green closer

Isn't God's creation Awesome!??? We have an Awesome God!

A puddle, a boy and lots of rocks - FUN balancing on the log nearby Jonathan throwing rocks while Kiyanna watches walking around the big puddle

Before and after lunch we stopped at a primitive rest stop (pit toilet) and the children played in the puddle - lots of water.

The creek approaching the road, before it goes under Kiyanna helping Rich fix Bill's Jeep Jonathan posing for a photo The end of the trail for us - the beginning sign Jonathan and Kiyanna pose in front of the creek

Where the trail ends (or starts) at pavement we stopped. Rich (and Kiyanna) helped secure Bills' sway bar - one broke. He usually disconnects the sway bars for four-wheeling, but they are needed for curves at highway speeds. Especially pulling their camping trailer.

 

Four-wheeling and camping Silverton trip July 2006

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On the way, highway, rest stop, traveling
First day exploring Red Mountain Mining Area
Second day starting with Black Bear Road
Second day lunch in Telluride
Second day over pass into Ouray
Third day we renewed our marriage vows
Wildlife seen primarily on the second day
The waterfall at our campsite
Sunday worship before we head back home to Denver
Many flowers we saw - long download time