places of worship all over the world
Tag: wonderlust
South Park, Colorado
There is a place in Colorado called South Park, I happened to be invited there over the weekend last December. My friends own a house with a fireplace in Fairplay. I know it sounds like too good to be true but who can complain when wonderful things happen out of the blue?
The nature there is something really unique, not only for skiers and snowboarders but also for hikers like me. The sound of silence is something we all miss living in a big city. We lived in Denver at the time, which is not exactly a big city, but big enough if you ask locals since they tend to dislike the rapid growth.
Denver is not far from the mountains but it’s super close either. It takes you about an hour to get there with no traffic. When you go up there, you have to remember that altitude is brutal so you should be prepared with lots of drinking water and ginger chews for the rescue. After 7 years living there you still get affected pretty bad. This is why it’s a Mile High city, you are high because of oxygen deprivation.
The snow was beautifully scattered here and there, it wasn’t cold at all so we could enjoy the fresh air and magnificent views. The walk wasn’t either hard or long, perfect weather for an easy weekend hike. The rule of thumb for this one is never leave your phone at home so you could take all those pictures you never thought about. I remember the day, it was really warm and sunny, so the snow started to melt. We left the cabin to explore the area leaving our lovely hosts behind, they claimed there are bears so we should better be prepared. I thought it was highly unlikely but the thought was definitely warming my heart, I wanted to see a bear in the wild, I had no fear of wild animals in their natural habitat.
The little cabin in the mountains is something I always wanted to enjoy in the middle of winter. And it happened a few years ago. Inspired by the peace and quiet we made some art with my friend, we also did yoga because she likes these kinds of things. I was only her photographer since she really wanted to post something absolutely incredible on her social media that day. And she did!
We had a big lunch and sat around and talked. It was a nice modern cabin with beige carpet inside. I have never known cabins like this existed, I always believed they are hard wood floors, rustic beams for the ceiling and exposed wood walls. I could envision exposed brick walls with occasional wood as well. But it was not the case. It was too modern for me, it’s like a cardboard box but bigger. They had a plastic Christmas tree all year round, for the 4th of July it would be decorated with American flags. I thought it was absolutely hilarious.
![IMG_20171204_153656786[1]](https://whymilenawhy.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/img_20171204_1536567861.jpg)
Sunny Sunday morning and a bit of snow in the middle of nowhere is the recipe for happiness here and now. Or maybe there and then… Looking back I kind of like this cubist landscape I made, I need to make one like that but using a bigger canvas, I guess. This style of painting is something I only did once and surprisingly it turned out not bad. Acrylics are a forgiving medium so you feel that it’s very easy to experiment with those. Landscapes in general are my main goal, I would like to master landscape painting in the following years.
South Park has a lot to offer if you want to come there as a tourist. In the days of the early pioneers, hopeful gold prospectors fanned out across the area. The town of Fair Play was established in 1859 at the junction of Beaver Creek and the South Platte River, and served as a supply center for nearby mining camps.
Fair Play was renamed as South Park City in 1869, then changed back to Fairplay in 1874. As the mining industry faded, tourism — along with cattle-raising and hay-growing — became the economic mainstays of the area. Known today as the Trout Fishing Capital of Colorado, anglers seek out the area’s Gold Medal streams. And in 2009, South Park and the area around Fairplay were designated a National Heritage Area for its distinctive landscapes, historic structures, recreational resources. Traveling around, you’ll see South Park’s 19th-century ranches, old mines and other historic sites.
Alma, northwest of Fairplay, once served as the ore-processing center of South Park and numbered 900 residents. The commercial district also served as an entertainment district, because the manager of the Moose Mine would not allow saloons or gambling in Dudley — a town located just a mile away. Today many visitors chuckle at a sign above a local drinking establishment that says: Alma’s Only Bar. Before leaving town, catch a glimpse into the life of the early pioneers at Alma’s cemetery. One stone is carved with a cryptic message: “I love you but please go to sleep.”
Today Alma welcomes mountain-hiking enthusiasts, ghost hunters and tourists from Leadville and Breckenridge, which is often called Breck. Must-sees include Kite Lake, at a crisp 12,400 feet and the ghost town of Buckskin Joe. The four-wheel-drive Mosquito Pass above Alma, the highest motor-vehicle pass in North America, is the area’s most popular summer attraction (recommended only on foot or via off-road vehicle). Visit the nearby ghost town of Buckskin Joe and Alma Cemetery, where visitors can investigate stories of fortunes lost and found. The South Park Saloon is a preferred spot for calorie loading.
Also above Alma may be one of the most interesting spectacles in South Park — the Bristlecone Pine Area. You can drive part way to the site, then hike the remainder in summer or ski it in winter. Standing on a barren bluff overlooking the valley are 2,000-year-old bristlecone pine trees, gnarled into grotesque beauty by the wind. Or explore the area via horseback or ATV. (taken from Colorado.com)
The City of the Future
Denver is a city of the future or the past, I am not really sure. It has some absolutely mysterious places like Cheesman Park or Brown Palace. Also the longest and evilest street in the US, i.e. Colfax, is right here for you. Check it out when the main construction projects are over and you can actually enjoy your visit, haha.
Colorado is a great place to travel any time and not just because everyone talks about it. It has a lot to offer for hikers, climbers, skiers and all kind of thrill seekers. The city of Denver and the state of Colorado can and will be immensely enjoyable if you are informed and prepared well. Here is a list of things to consider before visiting.
- Plan to stay an extra day or two before you climb the fourteeners. Time to acclimate will make your trip 10 times better.
- Experience the local music and art scene. Dazzle, Nocturne and Mercury cafe are great for jazz, blues and more. Denver Art Museum and Kirkland Museum of Decorative Art are definitely worth your time.
- Check out local breweries like Coors, Prost and Tivoli. There are 95 more names I can’t remember, but I am sure you will find something to your taste.
- Eat. Places to eat are so multiple and diverse, I am easily lost. Mexican food is delicious and authentic here, try local cafes and enjoy the vibe. My favorites are: Bourbon Grill, Viet’s, Wokano’s, Pho Haus ($), Pete’s Kitchen, Irish Rover, La Cour Bistro and Parisi ($$).
- Walk. 16 Street Mall is a major attraction for tourists who love shopping, rooftop bars, cabaret, ballet and movies to catch the spirit of the city.
- Celebrate. Summer time is full of festivals and all kind of fun events, check out the calendar to choose something to suit your taste at Denver.org/events.
- Hike. Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain and Garden of the Gods will be easy nearby nature spots to enjoy. If you are willing to spend some time driving Mount Evans and Pike’s Peak are two car accessible fourteeners, check out the weather before you go.
- Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring comfortable shoes / clothes.
For transportation you can ride a bike, walk, get an Uber or try RTD for some destinations. Rent a car to explore Colorado on your own or take a train to Granby which is one of the train accessible destinations. Denver is a city of the future, soon it might turn into a fairy tale and I believe it will.
Twin Cities
In winter Minneapolis is cold and windy but feels really nice, Minnesota ice is everywhere pure and white. The city is planned with such precision, you can’t believe it, downtown is glam and glitzy. European influence is obvious when you dive into architecture, fashion and taste. They say it’s multinational and I can tell it should be really appealing to many. Rivers and lakes make it even better especially in summer, I bet you can easily find the place to hike there. Otherwise, parks and gardens in the twin cities will come in handy to cool and shade a tired tourist.
Busy streets and skyways make it the city of the future, at least you hope to come back one day to love it even more. Maybe in warm season when not only it’s beautiful but also walkable. Can you imagine trying to wander every single street and enjoy being a part of the promising city life? Might be a bit scary at night but still fun. Music scene has a lot to offer, culture and art are there to suit any taste. Dine in every single café you liked and peek into majestic churches and cathedrals just for a second. You might discover a new world!
My dream is to visit more American icons like Chicago and LA. Will they be all the same or not? Stunning architecture, fancy shops, beautiful people… You probably have to stay for a week or two to really feel the atmosphere. Seattle is another place I want to visit one day, I wish we had this kind of freedom… travel always brings the sense of adventure, it’s like a gust of wind in the face that brings you back to life. You look around with your eyes wide open and never stop wondering…
Why I quit my job 