Steamboat Springs, CO

We have resumed our travels with a stop in Steamboat Springs.  On our way to Steamboat, we crossed the Republican River which we found to be dry.  Jerry recalls having been to Steamboat Springs before.  When he drove with the best man and a groomsman from San Francisco to Denver for our wedding, his route was US 40 (there was no I 80 in 1963) and 40 comes right through Steamboat.  It was also part of the Lincoln Highway.

Steamboat was a ski town for decades; it is now also a summer mecca for outdoors folks.  Rafters, tubers, bikers, hikers all find the river and trails inviting. 

 We found it a great place for us also.

But first a question: Who was Bud Werner?  He has a beautiful library and a mountain here named for him.

The steampots are characteristic of this area. 

 The medicinal springs were considered sacred to the Yampatika Ute and Arapahoe peoples.  The name was given by French trappers who said a noisy spring reminded them of a chugging steamboat.  That sound disappeared when the railroad changed the rock formations around the spring.        

The Yampa River Botanic Park is filled with lovely gardens all maintained by volunteers.  We enjoyed taking the many paths to find charming sculpture and some nice flowers.  We think recent rains knocked down many of the stems and blossoms but we enjoyed what we saw.

  Below, the Colorado state flower, a columbine.

This pond is based upon the one Monet built for himself.

The garden also has a beautiful collection of metal art.

After lunch we drove up to Fish Creek Falls.  A mildly steep trail led us up to the overlook.

Then we went down to the base of the falls.

The town has a free public bus service so we hopped aboard to see what we could find.  We found tens of thousands of timeshares/condos, some right at the spot to board the ski lift. 

Downstairs from the old Bristol Hotel is the delicious Mazzolo Italian Restaurant.  We debated who had the better meal, Jerry’s cioppino or Anna Lee’s ricotta gnudi with chianti braised lamb.  We did agree that the tiramisu was one of the best we ever tasted.