Woodland Park to Green Mountain Falls; Distance = 6 Miles; People Met = 3
Our host and ADT coordinator Dick Bratton dropped us off at Woodland Park and we slack packed from there to his home town of Green Mountain Falls, which happens to be on the ADT.
Green Mountain Falls is a picturesque and quaint town of a population near 900, where everyone seems to know everyone else, a la Mayberry. The Pantry is the main gathering place, with enhanced appeal by the small pond with a gazebo that lies across the parking lot. Even the church near the center of town has a quaint feel, along with a sense of humor. The Church in the Wildwood has a sign that says: “God is Awesome; Only People Make Missteaks.”
What is most striking about Green Mountain Falls, at least in my opinion, is the trail work that goes on here. Americans have three times the world rate of diabetes, due in large part to obesity, due in large part to inactivity. That is being offset in part by this town due to the vibrant trail culture. Back home, the Connecticut chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club shows a similar dedication to trails and trail work, but the membership draws from the state, not a single town.
Dick brought us up to Pike’s Peak in the afternoon. We had some thoughts of hiking over it, but the routes to the top do not line up well for our journey, which needs to land us over towards Cripple Creek next. I’ll probably put up a facebook photo album for Pike’s Peak at some point.
Facebook Photo Album of Pike’s Peak
The day was capped by dinner at Martha and Neal Ekker’s, accompanied by Dick and Mike Grabon, yet another avid trail worker, former physicist and solar panel entrepreneur. Martha hails from New Jersey originally, where she was involved in Appalachian Trail work as well as being a dedicated trail angel. That trail angel mentality carried over to here, where she hosted us the past two nights with delicious suppers, serving her effervescent personality up as well.
Neal was a river guide in the Grand Canyon early on, as well as being a writer and musician. Later on he worked with ESRI, further common ground with my own background as a former GIS specialist that worked extensively with ESRI products. We ended the evening with jamming together on our guitars, accompanied as well by Mike on a recorder.
Photo Gallery
Barrett, waitress for The Pantry
Felicia, waitress at The Pantry
Entering Green Mountain Falls from the northwest
A church with a sense of humor
The "Main Drag" of Green Mountain Falls
The Pantry
The pond across from The Pantry
