Colorado in July

The second week of July found us entering Colorado. Joanie had been looking forward to this part of our adventure because she lived in Colorado Springs for 25 years and raised her twins there. Our first stop was in the mountains above Boulder to a little place called Nederland, kind of the lost valley of hippies, where her sister Lynn, husband John and cats reside. We felt right at home.

We found a lovely place to camp on their property while we explored the Colorado Rockies.

 I will admit to a duet with John at the local watering hole but for some reason I don't remember the tune we "sang" or any calls of "Encore!".

 

Colorado Springs was a joy of visiting old Joanie friends and seeing the sights.

Balanced Rock at The Garden of the Gods and us of course.

The Three Amigas with Pikes Peak not cooperating in the background - Joanie, Pam and Jeanne

 

We journeyed to Steamboat Springs where Joanie's cousin, Michael has lived for many years.

 

 Michael was a wonderful host and is a great competitive shooter. He thoroughly enjoys restoring and shooting vintage rifles and guns and took us to the local range for practice.

Annie Oakley has nothing on my lady. Yeah I kept telling her those things go over her ears.

 

Before leaving Nederland we visited a beautiful carousel there and a plaque caught my eye and spirit.

  

Bighorn Nat Forest & Crazy Horse Memorial

On June 24th we left Yellowstone via the east entrance, transited Cody WY and proceeded to climb several thousand feet to the Bighorn campsites.

The drive was a journey back in time complete with signposts indicating the name and age of the exposed strata along the road.

 

We continued on to Custer WY which is a fascinating area.

 

We were lucky enough to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial when they were celebrating the 87th birthday of Ruth Ziolkowski, the wife of the Korczak Ziolkowski, the sculptor and moving force in the creation of this Memorial. The story of the beginning of this project and Korczak's efforts is mythic and inspiring.

 

I can't say enough about this effort. Crazy Horse is a hero not only because of his skill in battle, but also because of his character and his loyalty to his people. He is remembered for how he cared for the elderly, the ill, the widowed and the children. His dedication to his personal vision caused him to devote his life to serving his people and to preserving their valued culture.

 

The Crazy Horse Memorial includes The Indian Museum of North America and a growing Native American Educational & Cultural Center that will eventually be part of a larger Campus.

 

Korczak depicted Crazy Horse with his left hand pointing in answer to the derisive question asked by a white man, “Where are your lands now?” Crazy Horse replied, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.”

I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful & historic landmark.