Mountain climbing and Ghost Towns

Now those of you who know me, know I'm not a high adventure kind of gal. Riding down hill on my bicycle without hitting the brakes is about as wild as I want to get. Even so, I am a good sport so I donned a helmet and went mountain climbing in an ATV with my man. Ulterior motive? Picture taking!

...uh yeah, not me in the picture and we will leave it at that.
Here are the pictures of the good stuff.

crystal clear mountain streams...

Well we bumped and bounced (wheee fun) over to a mining ghost town called St. Elmo. Now that was fun and interesting too. The town was built in the 1800's for mining. There are still a couple of buildings in good shape that have been turned into stores.  

 Now you have to admit I am a pretty good shopper when I can find quality merchandise like this in a ghost town....it's a talent!

 It was a little creepy. There was stuff in the buildings as though the people just walked away...

...but this little guy was pretty friendly! Hey wait a minute...I am adventurous. 

I fed a wild animal with my bare hands!!

On to the next great beyond....

A Little Mountain Air

Greetings from Salida, Colorado!! 

This cozy little mountain town is full of fresh air and touts that it is "the biggest little art town in Colorado!" After a day of strolling down the historic downtown main street I would have to agree...and I got lucky! This weekend Salida is having their "art walk-around". The stores stay open until 9:00, there are street musicians, people milling about and all the local artist are at the stores. Really fun stuff. You may be wondering how in the world am I getting Kaiser on board? Well the true reason we are here is to do a little mountain climbing with the ATV.

Sorry Ladies, this hunk of man is allllll mine!!

But anyway I struck a brilliant compromise and said "You go 4-wheel to your heart's content, and I will reciprocate with shopping"...That's what you call a "win-win" situation.


Salida is truly a quaint little jewel tucked away between Aspen and Colorado Springs. It was so cute that my trigger finger got itchy and I had to take out my camera before I took out my wallet...

 They like art...no really, they told me!

 Hey I tell ya, if it's not light houses with me, it's bicycles!

You know I am coming back here for my morning cup!

Salida was really great, and I was a good sport and went 4-wheeling with Kaiser one day. I got some fantastic stories and pictures of mountain scenery and even an abandoned mining town! Next post.....

Arrivederci Bella Italia

It's been awhile so thought I would finish up my trip to Italy with a few random, if not favorite, scenes.

 European Highspeed Bullet train....getcha there in a hurry! Like over 200 kph (124 mph)

It was a great way to travel and see the country side....





Even if it did go by too fast to take a good picture!!

This little fella wanted to come home with me but alas...suitcase was already overweight.

I've decided to make it my mission that where ever we go (along the coast that is) I'm finding a light house! Hey my spanish finally came in handy (Spanish and Italian are quite similar)...I tried to ask directions to this light house but the man didn't know the word "light house"....so I improvised and asked for "Luna Casa"? Snap, just like that he knew! Nice to know my bilingual skills are paying off!

"Like a Puppet on a String"

The shops in Italy, particularly Venice, have the most amazing window displays. 

Her joy is contagious!!

...and so I say "Ciao" to

Firenze (Florence)

Roma (Rome)

Sorrento

 Pompeii

and finally my favorite....

VENEZIA (Venice)

Tornerò Bella Italia 

(I will return beautiful Italy)!!