Gimme Shelter — Or Something to Lean On

Posted on November 28, 2012 by sglaser

Salida, Colorado, USA. This is a classic, highly photographed scene in the small mountain town. The old school kayaks against an aging brick wall of a local building are postcard ready. Located along the Arkansas River, Salida, is a boating town (river rafting and kayaking), so this is a fitting image.

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Gimme Shelter — Colorful Colorado Mountain Community

Posted on November 7, 2012 by sglaser

Crested Butte, CO. Although the silver and coal miners didn’t pick the pretty colors, they built some cute buildings back in the day. (And, surely, they referred to them as “cute.”) Colorado mining towns make me smile. Their historic districts, many of which have been restored, offer nostalgia and postcard ready photos.

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The Friday Funny Sign: South Park is a Real Place and Cartman Doesn’t Live Here

Posted on November 2, 2012 by sglaser

I can’t imagine why Fairplay, Colorado would want to clarify that this area is the REAL South Park. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the animated Comedy Central show “South Park,” based the setting of the show on the town of Fairplay and some of the other small communities in Park County, CO.

Despite the success of the show and the cult-like following, it doesn’t seem like some of the Fairplay rresidents are avid fans. It’s not all that surprising since the show features some biting satire about small town mountain living. Consequently, this sign above is prominently displayed at one of the main junctions off of Highway 285.

The Friday Funny Sign — Picnic in a Prison Park?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by sglaser

Travel Oops is introducing another new feature: “The Friday Funny Sign.” Whether they have a unique translation, bizarre concept or just grab your attention, signs can be a huge source of entertainment while traveling. Consequently, Travel Oops will showcase funny or unusual signs.

This photo is from the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility (CTCF) in Cañon City, CO. Having a park, gift shop and museum right next to the actual prison just seems so out of place. If you look closely, you can see razor wire in the background of the photo.

In all fairness, I haven’t been to the park, museum or gift shop; it all could be lovely. Up until the 1990’s, the CTCF housed Colorado’s death row. As a result, there is some history, but wow — a family picnic at the Prison Park??? And the gift shop?? What do they sell? An electrical switch or hand cuffs, striped apparel?? I suppose ultimately, you would be somewhat safe, since no escapee would hang out at the gift shop or park next to a prison, and there would be plenty of security….but….again, hmmm.

Actually, it would be interesting just to check it out and have a picnic there so you could say you had done it.

Hiking the “Mountain Goat Gauntlet” in Colorado

Posted on September 18, 2012 by sglaser

As I looked back at the mountainside “trail” I had just clung to and shimmied along, I decided that it was meant only for hooves — either hooves of mountain goats or hooves of some demonic creature. This was the “Hike to Hell.” At certain points, the path just blended in with the crags and ridges of the mountain and appeared to be completely sheer.

While making my way, I hugged any jutting rock cluster, trying to ignore the fact that when small rocks became dislodged and fell, you did not hear them land. Occasionally, you would hear one skitter down the side for a few feet and then there was nothing but silence.

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