Pikes Peak or Bust, my motto lately, became one step closer to reality today. Under contract for a house in the old west mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Sketchy start to the day however, as creepy stalker woman somehow managed to be out working in the yard in March at 7:00 a.m. so as to be sure to be able to make snide remarks as I passed by with the dogs on their morning walk. As of this morning I was not sure that the sellers were going to accept my offer, so the words of stalker lady were all the more unbearable. Prayed a long prayer when I got back home that the long dark valley I have traversed over the last decade might finally be over and that He would finally allow me to shake this town and all it’s harsh memories.
As I sat once again contemplating life with coffee and a donut at the Donut Mill in Woodland, I got the call that I was waiting for! Go down to the bank and get the earnest money, the sellers are going to sign! So off I went to pick up my friend and take the check over to the real estate agent :) Once that was done, we decided that today would be a good day for a road trip to Cripple for another look at the house and maybe some shots of the historic abandoned gold mines that I have been planning for a while now.
Pikes Peak or Bust was of course originally the motto of the gold miners pouring into the Cripple Creek and Victor Colorado gold mine discovery district. The area has a rich old west history and has somehow managed to retain that old west small town feel, despite the invasion of Las Vegas Casinos that have largely taken over the old town area. According to the website and organization, MiningHistoryAssociation.org, “The Cripple Creek mining district lies on the southwestern flank of 14,115 foot high Pikes Peak. Gold was discovered in 1890 by ranch hand-turned-prospector, Bob Womack. Relatively meager placers led to the discovery of rich vein deposits. The rush was on as thousands of would-be prospectors and miners again accepted the challenge of the 1859ers, “Pikes Peak or Bust.” By 1900, 500 mines had been discovered, the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor had been established, and rail service had linked the district to the outside world.”.
After a short visit to some colorful Cripple Creek establishments and a drive past the prospective new abode, we decided to head over to Victor to photograph a couple mines I have been eyeing for some time now. The afternoon lighting was just right, the weathered wooden ruins of the mines against the amazing Colorado high elevation blue sky. The old Dodge truck took us up the rough gravel road to the base of the mines for an amazing photo session to capture this important era of American history.
So once again, a day that started out a bit sketchy became a day of hope… Reminding me of the words of the Almighty, “I will give you beauty for ashes.” and “I will turn your mourning into dancing.”.
Steve Krull is a prolific sports and nature photographer selling prints and stock images online as S.W. Krull Imaging at various sites and agencies. Click this link to view all the products and services offered by Steve Krull and S. W. Krull Imaging. Additional services include, wedding photography, portraiture and model portfolios, and event photography. Additional products include fine art stock imagery, prints and gift items
