blackhawk/central city

 nestled in the mountains high above denver lie the old gold mining twin towns of 

central city and blackhawk.

paul, sebastian and i are the only ones at home this weekend so we decided to take a leisurely sunday drive together up to this historic district.

it was fascinating and made me feel like i was living back in the time of the wild, wild west.  should've worn my spurs and chaps, yee-haw!!

eureka street!  there's gold in them there hills!

this area was the center of the first gold strike in the rocky mountains.  the remains of the gold mining tailings (above right) are found on the outskirts of town and surrounding mountains.  it's fascinating to imagine all that went on here 150 years ago.

 the towns of central city and blackhawk went through a major transformation over the last 20 years.  to preserve this historic landmark, they have now become the modern gambling twin towns of central city and blackhawk with towering casinos and hotels joining the main street and shop fronts of the original old wild west towns.

we couldn't resist stopping at the central city cemetery to learn more about the original, adventurous and very hearty residents of this fascinating place.