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JUNE 2001  On June 5, 2001 I jetted out of Indianapolis bound for Denver, Colorado.  Having been in Denver numerous times before, I wouldn't be spending much time here. I did enjoy a visit to Colorado's Ocean Journey. It's a 106,500-square-foot aquarium featuring a multitude of fish.  Just outside of Denver in Morrison is Red Rocks Park. These red sandstone formations were created over 250 million years ago.  Not too far west of Denver is the historical community of Idaho Springs. This is where I would bed down for the night. Pictured above on the other side of Clear Creek is the Argo Gold Mine.  It was a beautiful crystal clear morning when I awoke the next day. A perfect day for a drive to the top of Mount Evans. This is the highest road in the United States.  About mid-way through the drive is Summit Lake.  After reaching the 14,264-foot summit I found the observation area replete with mountain goats.  The view from the top was literally "breathtaking," since it is a bit difficult to breathe at that altitude.  I snapped this pretty picture of Echo Lake on my way back down from Mount Evans.
 After an enjoyable lunch at an historical downtown Idaho Springs restaurant I then headed westward on I-70 through Vail and Glenwood Canyon. Pictured above is the view from my hotel room in Carbondale, Colorado where I spent the night.  Weather was perfect again on this day as I headed for Aspen. Above is one of the country's most photographed mountains, Maroon Bells.  Also near Aspen is beautiful Snowmass Village.
 After leaving Aspen I would cross the Continental divide at Independence Pass, elevation 12,095-feet.  I stopped for a late lunch in Buena Vista, Colorado before moving on to Gunnison for the night. The next day I visited America's newest National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
 Pictured above is the charming community of Crested Butte, Colorado.  After two nights in Gunnison, Colorado I started heading back east. I made stops at Monarch Crest and Fairplay, Colorado before ending the day in historical Cripple Creek, Colorado.  This former gold mining town is now a casino- tourist-trap. I didn't fare too well at the local gambling parlors.
 After six beautiful days in Colorado's Rocky Mountains it was time to head for the plains of Kansas. I spent the night in Dodge City where I enjoyed a variety show at the infamous Long Branch Saloon.
 It isn't a short trip across the plains of Kansas. Pictured above is downtown Wichita.  I didn't plan to arrive in Oklahoma City on the day they executed Timothy McVeigh, but that's the way it worked out. Pictured above is the Oklahoma City National Memorial.  I spent the last night of my trip in Branson, Missouri.
 Click the arrow above for my next adventure, Las Vegas.
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