2026-07 Colorado — Day 4

July 21, 2026

Corner of a brick building against blue sky — faded painted signs read "PALACE PHARMACY" and "PALACE HOTEL," with a vintage teal neon "HOTEL / PALACE / DINING ROOM" sign projecting from the corner. — dscf3772.jpg

A large hand-painted ghost sign spanning a brick facade in Cripple Creek: "CRIPPLE CREEK" in bold letters over a painted mountain range, with "America's Greatest Gold Camp" and a small mine/smokestack graphic. — dscf3773.jpg

Three kids' bikes hung on a barbed-wire fence along a mountain meadow. — img_3529.jpg

A rooftop "HOTEL" sign in red letters on a steel lattice frame, set against a dramatic sky of piled storm clouds. — dscf3789.jpg

Wall of a distillery — antler mounts, a novelty T-shirt ("If distilling was easy..."), and an old buffalo-hunt photo playing on the TV. — img_3561.jpg

Close-up of a weathered wood-plank building exterior — clapboard siding, an old paned window, a door with peeling paint. — dscf3794.jpg

A rusted corrugated-metal building facade with two old wood-framed windows — lace curtains and potted pink flowers visible on the sills inside. — dscf3795.jpg

Looking up through an aspen and conifer grove at a tall cumulus cloud against deep blue sky. — img_3565.jpg

Part of the 2026-07 Colorado — July 18–26.

Colorado Springs. Saw the Tesla lab sign. Took more photos. Through Manitou, up the hill. Got out and took photos. Fairplay, stopped at a distillery, chatted with customers. Down to BV and up by Mt Princeton hot springs to St Elmo. Feeling kind of bleh, probably need food and a good sleep.

Dinner at Buena Viking. Burger and tots? Not bad though. Mediocre Planters Punch.

No rain today. Up to the high mountains tomorrow.