Listing Through Life

The Boeing KC-97 first flew in 1944. It was mostly used as an in-flight refueling tanker. The one at the restaurant operated from 1953 to 1976 with the Texas Air National Guard.

We were given a choice of eating in the airplane or in the “hanger.” We chose the airplane. As we walked through the building, we could see one wing of the craft with one of the engines protruding into the building.

We sat at a booth inside the fuselage. It filled up soon after we arrived. Most of the other diners were accompanied by small children.

The servers wore pilots uniforms and talked as though they were giving us in-flight service. While we waited for our food, I walked up to the cockpit. We were allowed to pretend we were flying the plane, but a long line of kids beat me to it. You can’t see him in this photo, but there was a young lad in the left-hand seat that didn’t plan to leave in this lifetime.

We could look through plexiglass into the tail of the plane. There was a mannequin back there portraying the crew member who operated the boom. This person extended the boom and guided the pilot of the locking airplanes so they could connect and refuel.

We didn’t go there expecting gourmet food, but my cheeseburger and fries were just fine.

It was raining when we left, but we walked around and got a shot of the outside.

The experience was enjoyable enough that we might return if we’re in the area around lunchtime, although next visit we’ll probably sit in the hanger with the adults.

We braved the terror that is I-70 and headed east. For much of the way, the lane markings had been worn off by snow plowing. That, coupled with some insane drivers (like the guy who slowed down to 20 mph in the center lane to merge into the fast lane), frequent sharp turns, distracting views, and tunnels made for an adventure.

We pulled off in Idaho Springs and parked downtown. A trial led under the interstate to Clear Creek and Bridal Veil Falls.

The giant wheel was used in gold mining by a local eccentric named Charlie Tayler, who “never kissed women or took baths.” There may be a connection between the two.

We walked through this town too, but by now all the stores were beginning to look familiar.

An old narrow-gauge trail sat in a park along the highway.

I took a photo down the length of the passenger car.

We ate dinner at Smokin’ Yards (which my GPS pronounced “Smock … In Yards). I ordered a combo plate with St. Louis ribs and brisket. I do believe it was the best barbecue I’ve ever had.

We drove north from Breckenridge to Frisco, mostly to see the Dillon Reservoir and get our water fix after being in the desert for the past four months. But the water was very low, and much of it was still frozen.

Frisco has created a museum by collecting old buildings from town and placing them in a park at the end of main street. It was very well done, and free! All the buildings were open, and we took our time and saw what there was to see.

The schoolhouse (on the left, above) had a display of what Frisco looked like when everything was tiny.

I thought it was interesting how they took a log cabin and fancied up the front.

This building had a display on local bars and bordellos, but I’m not sure it worked quite like this.

The inside of the old jail had a cell and a display on mining.

Our favorite building was a cabin built locally in the 1930’s as a summer cottage. Much of the stuff inside was original. It looked like a very cozy space to spend a week by a mountain stream.

One of the cabins had a dress-up area in the attic.

The day was beautiful, although actually hot. We wandered the streets and stopped in a few stores.

On Good Friday, we headed into the mountains to explore. We drove through Ute Pass into South Park, where we saw thousands of Pronghorn, all on the left side of the road.

I think the mountain on the right is Lincoln Peak, one of the 14ers.

Alma is the highest incorporated town in North America, at 10,578 feet, which puts it at two miles above sea level.

It’s a funky little town that’s very proud of being “high.” We stopped at the Al-Mart, a general store that sold food and clothing and all sorts of things. The guy running the register told me, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” We soon discovered they didn’t have toilet paper in the restroom, so I’m not sure I agree with him.

North of Alma, we drove over Hoosier Pass on the Continental Divide. The road never got above treeline, bit it came pretty close.

I think this might be Quandary Peak, another 14er.