Golden, CO -- May 5 - 8, 2005
The drive to Golden was beautiful and harrowing at the same time. With passes topping out at nearly 12,000 feet it was the highest and longest climb we have had to pull the RV. Susan was counting off the altitude in increments of 100 feet according to the GPS, about the time she was starting to panic we entered the Eisenhower Tunnel, followed by the long, long, long descent. Thank goodness for the truck's exhaust brake to slow us down. We both want to return to Colorado to explore the mountains when the wildflowers are blooming or the Aspen are changing. Winter was just losing its grip as we traversed the Rockies.
We checked into Golden Terrace RV Resort in Golden. "Resort" really doesn't apply here. It is more of an unattractive parking lot with hook-ups - and bunnies. For some reason the place had dozens of cottontails hopping over the asphalt/concrete. While the park itself was unattractive, it had great access to beautiful walking, biking and hiking paths and easy access to shops. We only planned to be there a couple of days until Linda, Susan's sister, returned from Washington DC, so we took advantage of the paths that wind through Golden and enjoyed the surrounding foothills. The town is really lovely and along with much of the Denver area has made it onto our list of possible locations to settle.
While we were in Golden our friend Sharon was passing through Denver on her way from Seattle to Dallas. We were able to meet for a visit, lunch and a bit of shopping.
On Saturday Susan called her sister to let her know we were in Golden and would be at her house on Monday. Well that just wasn't acceptable to anybody, including us. After a quick trip up to Lookout Mountain to see Buffalo Bill Cody's grave and the fabulous view of Denver and the plains beyond, we headed to Linda and Amanda's house.
The next day was Mother's Day and we joined Linda, Amanda and her son Cris for a Mother's Day brunch. Since Cris is an excellent cook, we coerced him into preparing it.
