The Carousel of Happiness

IMG_4452

The Carousel of Happiness is a very odd thing to have in Nederland, Colorado.  Nonetheless, it is a fun, beautiful place.  Each animal was hand carved by one man over 25-30 years and eventually meticulously assembled onto an old carousel frame.

IMG_4453 IMG_4454

IMG_4455
IMG_4457
Heather riding on a panda.  Each ride is $1.  What a deal!

IMG_4458

I chose a kangaroo holding the world with Australia clearly visible.

IMG_4459

A figure up on top of the main support column.

IMG_4460

The Wurlitzer 101 piece band machine.

IMG_4462
IMG_4464 IMG_4465 IMG_4466 IMG_4467 IMG_4468

There is artwork all over the carousel.

IMG_4469
IMG_4471

My kangaroo came complete with a joey.

IMG_4472 IMG_4473 IMG_4474

The parrot moved up and down when the carousel was in motion.

IMG_4475

From the observatory deck.

IMG_4476
IMG_4478

The inner workings of the carousel.

IMG_4480What a fun place!

Driving the Back Roads in Gilpin County

IMG_4442

There are some spectacular views on some of the sketchy back roads in Gilpin County.

IMG_4443 IMG_4444

Looking out on the foothills.

IMG_4445

An old mine site.

IMG_4446 IMG_4447

The road ahead.  It wasn’t the best driving conditions for a lowered Subaru.

IMG_4448The road behind.  There were some pretty rough areas on this road.

Apex

IMG_4421

After a long drive on back roads, we came into what is left of the old town of Apex.  Once a bustling mining town high in the mountains of Colorado, it now is just a collection of a few old buildings and not much else.
IMG_4422

It looks like someone still lives in that house.

IMG_4423 IMG_4424 IMG_4425 IMG_4426 IMG_4427

The mountains to the south.

IMG_4428

There is an odd compound up this side road.  The owner will talk your ear off if you give him the chance.

IMG_4429
IMG_4431
IMG_4433
IMG_4437

IMG_4440