First and foremost, Creede takes pride in its still-vibrant downtown; a magnificent environment certainly helps.
At the north end of town, one of Creede's most treasured "must-see's" is its Underground Mining Museum, which also serves as the town's Community Center. After paying a visit there, I wandered next door to the Volunteer Fire Department's original headquarters.
Of course it's a cavernous, jumbo-sized mine shaft turned "garage" blasted out of a hillside that houses its materiel, some old, some newer, and just as spotless as you'd expect. Yes, the town does have modern equipment housed in a newer facility, but if you like old fire trucks like I do, a visit to the old garage will be a most excellent way to spend some time in Creede -- if it's open.
But wait! What's' this? A caller and square dancers hootin', hollerin' and doe-see-doe-ing and having the time of their lives this afternoon! In the fire house?
In the blasted-out, used-to-be mine shaft fire house! Sure made me smile!
At the entry to the Mining Museum there is rodent food dispenser and where children and tame, ravenous rodents hang out. Yeah sure, they're cute; parents ignore the scary warning signs; the kids love having them eat out of their grubby little hands and crawl all over their smelly little bodies, and no one seems to care.
I, on the other hand, believe in universal motherhood and scolded while I took pictures of the feeding frenzy -- with a big smile on my face!!! Does it look like they paid any attention to me?!!
East and West Willow Creek merge and form one stream that eventually splashes right through town. In the winter, ponds fill up, freeze over and become an arena for skating enthusiasts and hockey players. For just a few more whiles, the warming hut and fan-stands sit idle...
...while downtown retailers relish the lovely mountain summer and celebrate with baskets spilling over with colorful flowers.
And tucked away between downtown buildings is a sweet restful hideaway -- a tranquil garden featuring contributions by local artists and lovely plantings against a backdrop of a colorful mural.
Of course you're aware that the current addiction to electronic toys is not confined to youngsters!!
Remember I mentioned those grandfatherly types and their ATV's? Well the locals ride their wide-open, tricked-out ATV's to hunt, fish, and just spend a day driving the Bachelor Loop with their buddies. Most of the Jeeps I saw had Texas license plates; but no sissy 4x4's for the homies. No sir!
Miner's cabins on the creek have been upgraded to fanciful Summer retreats.
One would expect Creede to have plentiful antique emporiums, right? Well, this was the only one I found … it doubled as a rock shop. (Those who know me won't believe for a minute I just took photos of its exterior!)
One afternoon, I drove to "upper Creede." Besides the cemetery, there is a little hillside neighborhood where the air is a mite thinner. The views of the town below and its surroundings were stunning.
Sadly, it's time to move on from this special reminder of the way it used to be and the men and women who created a way of life that continues to take my breath away.
