Fridays At 5:00: Colorado Recap

A Forgotten Town

Our family took a very fun day trip up to Leadville, Colorado. In order for us to get to Leadville, we basically had to climb up the the side of a very tall mountain. It felt as if were going straight uphill for much of the drive! While steep, it was indeed a beautiful drive and my entire family spent most of our time in the car with our eyes glued to the beautiful outdoor scenery. One of the more interesting things that we came upon during our drive to Leadville, was an abandoned mining down called Gilman. I have to admit that it was quite eerie to see an abandoned town – just sitting there on the side of a mountain. I did look it up online when we got home and I learned that Gilman was an old mining town that was founded during the Colorado Silver Boom in 1886. I later read that it was abandoned in 1984 because of toxic pollutants, including contamination of the ground water. Now, it is a modern day ghost town and while it does hold a lot of history, it is rather unnerving to see it. If YOU want to take a better look, you can check out more pictures of Gilman here!

Colorado Decor

When I am out in Colorado, I seem to notice a real difference in some of the home decor trends that are out there. Much of the decor that I see out there reminds me of a rustic lodge – and I really love that look! I got to thinking about it and I really feel that some of these trends are driven by the beautiful scenery, the amazing wild life, and the western flare that is present there. I have to wonder how I would decorate my personal spaces if I were to live out there! With that in mind, here are a few decor items that I think that I would love to incorporate inside my “dream mountain home”!

A Walk In The Dark

There is something you must know about me. I do NOT like tight spaces. I avoid them at all costs! But, sometimes in life, you have to face your fears! Or, in my case, you have to face the caves! Our family spent a day in Glenwood Springs at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park! While there we took the coolest cave tour and it was totally worth the anxiety attack! We saw the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado and it was magnificent. You can see a short video of the tour here!

A Special Purchase

While in Leadville, I stumbled upon an antique store. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to shop, but I did manage to pick up a few fun things. Of all my purchases, I think that I am most excited about the Mining Crucible that I bought. This Crucible was found near one of Leadville’s historic mines and so that makes it such a special piece. Crucibles would have been used to help separate the silver/gold so that it could be weighed properly. According to the mining museum we visited while in Leadville, “crucibles held the ore sample with flux materials to be melted in the furnace. The molten contents were then poured into a mold, allowing the pure metals to sink and the slag (waste) material to float. After it cooled, the assayer separated the the button from the slag. The button was then melted again in the small, shallow cupel. Made from bone ash, the cupel absorbed any lead still in the metal button, leaving behind the silver or gold to be weighed.” I fdid manage to find a few mining crucibles here for purchase if you also want a piece of mining history!

Beautiful Views

Of all the things Colorado has to offer, the views are my favorite part. I am sharing a few of my favorite sights with you all below. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!