Mountain Secrets Blog

We had found ourselves in a valley surrounded by mountains, lush with pines and aspens, cool running streams and a beaver pond the size of Texas. It was obvious that here, in this place, man was just a visitor.

We were a sight. With our backpacks leaned up against a tree, we began going through our resupply box, inhaling our fries and chasing them down with cold blueberry iced tea. 

We listened to audio books and enjoyed some of our favorite music. Straight forward hiking with seemingly one goal in mind, reach the end of the segment. 

The following morning was quite cold as we quickly moved down the trail and dove into what we called, " the Valley of the Sun." It was as it sounds, a beautiful valley full of morning sunlight and much needed warmth. 

The wind was calm, the clouds growing, but the window of opportunity remained. It was almost as if we had been invited for this personal journey across this heavenly place far from any city and high above all else. 

  What an incredible place it was. Surrounded on three sides with jagged peaks and steep scree fields, the alpine bowl opened up down the valley to an expansive view of the Dillon Reservoir.

The air is changing. The energy is changing. The landscape is changing. We are changing. Everything is changing. 

Sure, we weren't in the high alpine yet, but we were getting there, and after our low point with the early heat, this was an unexpected gem at lower elevation.

There are campsites here and there in the trees that line the meadow, a creek running down the middle, mostly hidden in the reeds, and evidence of a multitude of wildlife, footprints included, along the trail. 

Who would have thought, the first three segments are among the easiest elevation-wise, and yet, throw in some heat and dry conditions and you would have thought we were trekking through some of the hardest terrain on the trail. 

We have had a share of hardships over the years, we have certainly dealt with our share of challenges, but we chose to do this!

 This week on #exploring285 we visited Colorado Furniture at their new location in Conifer. They have one of a kind unique mountain decor & furniture waiting to brighten up your home! Go check them out! They are one of the few in the country to carry LUFT mattresses, to learn more about luft beds please to www.luftbeds.com. For more information on this store, please follow them on Facebook @cfconifer or stop on by their store conveniently located in the Staples and O'Reily's shopping center right next to Anytime Fitness. Their address is 10853 US Hwy 285, Conifer, CO 80433. 

Click read more to see the video​

We were tired, it was steamy hot after the storms and the thought of continuing on felt daunting. Camp was set up and we called it a day.

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Mudslingers Coffee - Bailey, CO ! They have an assortment of hot & cold drinks, smoothies, coffee and some bomb mini donuts! Check them out! Drive thru for quick service!  

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First sign of many along the family's route home through their neighborhood in Burland Ranchettes

com·mu·ni·ty
noun
1.
a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

2.
a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Last week, a family in our community experienced a horrific trauma when a mountain lion attacked and bit an 8 year old boy on the head, face, and neck while he was playing outside his home with his brother.

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Platte River Outfitters at their new location across the street in Bailey. Check out their fishing gear, camping gear, Carhartt & keepsakes! https://platteriveroutfitters.com/

Click Read More to see the new store in the video! 

This week on #exploring285 we visited Cruz In in Pine Junction -local, homemade food and its a DRIVE thru! Cruz In recently was named a Food Network Best Road Trip Food Stops (Scroll to #31) https://www.foodnetwork.com/restauran... ! See you around town! 

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This week on Exploring 285 we visited Tiny Town & Railroad in Morrison, Colorado ! I went here as a kid & it was so much fun to go back! You must check it out! :) Kids, kids at heart, adults, tourists & anyone will LOVE this place!! Here's your teaser :)

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This week on #exploring285 we visited Gina at Relax Hair Salon & Color studio in #conifer ! Gina has an amazing passion for helping you find your style, while keeping you relaxed! Go get a head massage and some tea! :) If you are a #stylist they are also hiring! Stay tuned for the grand opening and video about Rocky Mountain Wraps which is coming soon to our area!! 

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I don't know about you, but I use Instagram for business a good bit. It's great for professionals in the real estate industry since it's a visual platform and I get to look at pretty houses all day. But besides the visual aspect of it, this social platform has played an instrumental role in the many friendships I've made with some really cool and interesting people (that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise)! 

Take Phil Eisele, for example. I discovered Phil while surfing through Instagram using geographical hashtags. (Did I lose you there?) Anyway, when I used a local geo-tag, Phil's art popped up on my screen. Not knowing he was from the area, I tapped on his profile and was drawn to his art. Then I realized he was from Bailey and that's when I decided to feature him as a guest! 

I'm in a very creative time in my life right now. I feel very thankful to God that I'm able to be up here in this beautiful place of Bailey, and work from home, and create. I just feel like I'm kind of back to my roots of what I did years ago and it feels terrific.

by Phil Eisele, The Eisele Art Gallery

 Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!