Morning Walk

 

 

Milo (our mixed breed mutt) and I started our morning walk around 7AM.  The morning sky was Red with the rising sun shining on the clouds.  After waving good-by to the wife and son, we walked down the long driveway onto the main road.  We stop at the Sunshine school house every morning and raise the American flag.  The one room school house was built in 1900 and is no longer used as a school, but as a community gathering place.  I raised the flag to full staff as Milo sat at attention.  I check the Presidential proclamations web site every day to see if the flag should be lowered to half-staff.    Milo was rewarded with a doggy biscuit and we marched on.

We passed the spot where we were greeted by a black bear in August and walked to the fork.  On the way back, the school bus passed us.  Bob, the driver, keeps treats for all the dogs along his route.  He stopped the bus and threw Milo a treat.  We waved to all the kids on the bus and they continued on.  Milo usually sits when he hears to school bus coming.  He knows there is going to be a treat.

 

Gold was found in Sunshine in 1873.  In 1876 there were 1,200 residents and the population of Sunshine was greater than Boulder (a statistic that did not last long).  By the beginning of the First World War, the mining had played out and most of the residents of Sunshine had moved on.  Although most of the people were gone, the mine tunnels and shafts were still here.  At that time there were no requirements that the land be reclaimed.

When I first visited my wife’s family in Sunshine, Janice’s father wanted to show me around.  Harry took Janice, our friend, David,  his dog, Benny and I on a tour.  We came upon one of the open mine holes above the house.  It looked to be about 50 feet deep.  We were all standing around talking about the dangers of the mine holes when Benny came running up the hill.  He didn’t see the hole in time and took a leap into the air.  I’ll never forget the look on his face. It was the “Oh Sh--, what have I done” look.  He made a 180 degree turn in mid air and started pawing as he slid down the edge of the hole.  Fortunately there was a ledge about 20 feet down and he stopped there.  Harry ran down to the house and grabbed a long rope.  He repelled down the side and brought Benny back up to safety.  Since that day, we have called that the “Dog Hole”.

The Bureau of Mines has started a program of capping all of the old mine shafts.  Most of the holes and shafts in Sunshine have been capped (including the "Dog Hole").  We are still careful of anything that looks like a prospect hole, especially if it is covered with wood.  It’s a bad idea to walk across one.

To see pictures of the Ghost town of Sunshine click on the shortcut :   Sunshine Colorado

 

My MIL has completed her 7th Chemo treatment and is doing well.

Keep smiling, David

 

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