LEADVILLE

SATURDAY, 4th JUNE.

We farewelled Rich and Cory this morning and drove to the nearby Rifle State Park, which is home to the Rifle Falls.  After parking the car, it was just a short walk to the waterfall which is very pretty.  Mike climbed up to the top and had an unfortunate accident on the way down when his foot slipped on some gravel, he couldn't stop his momentum and he did a faceplant.  He returned to me with blood gushing from his forehead and nose and with grazed knees, not a pretty sight!  Once it was cleaned up it didn't look nearly so bad and he bravely continued our sightseeing drive, through the park's canyon where rock climbing is a very popular pasttime, and back across the Rifle Dam.
On to the Interstate 70 then for the drive back to Glenwood Springs, only marginally less busy than yesterday, and then on to the 82 heading into ski country.  We had our lunch in Snowmass where we were able to find a picnic table and our next stop was in Aspen, founded as a silver mining camp but transformed into an upscale ski resort and tourist destination.  High end restaurants and shops attract the rich and famous, many of whom have homes there, but although it is an attractive town, after a little stroll around we felt no need to linger.
Leaving Aspen, we climbed steadily up to Independence Pass, at more than 12,000 feet an absolutely awe inspiring drive with snow as far as the eye could see.  Needless to say, we stopped several times and took the usual squillion photos before continuing on to Leadville, where we are staying tonight.  The Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway passes through Leadville, a frontier mining town and America's highest incorporated city at 10,430 feet.  We strolled up and down the Main Street, had a light meal and retired happy after a fabulous day.