Gold Nuggets Quilt Block and Walking Wednesdays

Gold Nuggets Quilt Block

 

My husband and I went on a 5 Kilometer (3.1 mile) Volksmarch in Breckenridge, Colorado.  Volksmarch is a German word which means "people march."  Volksmarches happen in every state.  The trails take you through a scenic or historic route, and clear directions and maps are provided.  Check it out at http://www2.ava.org/.

Breckenridge was first established as a mining town when gold was discovered along the Blue River in 1859.  It now thrives on tourism and the ski industry.

 

 

 The walk first took us on the Blue River Rec Path

 

 

beside the beautiful Blue River.

 

 

This statue is dedicated to the 10th Mountain Division.  After being trained in the Colorado Rockies, these soldiers helped win victories in the European mountains during World War II.  On their return home, they helped the growth of Colorado's recreational ski industry. 

 

 

We then traveled through downtown Breckenridge, with lots of beautiful flowers!

 

 

  

 Isn't this Story Time sculpture wonderful?

 

 

Next, we walked to the Rotary Snow Plow Park.

 

 

 

 

Long ago, this snowplow at the front of the train enabled the train to clear the tracks so it could reach Breckenridge and other mountain towns during the winters.

 

 

 

 Finally, we saw the Father Dyer Church.

 

 

John Lewis Dyer began as a miner and farmer in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  In 1859, he traveled to Colorado because he wanted to see Pikes Peak.  He walked most of the way.  He was appointed as an itinerate Methodist preacher and circuit rider to the mining camps.  He bought the land and built this chapel at his own expense.  On August 22, 1880, he conducted the very first service held in a church on the western slope of Colorado.  He was 68 years old.  Father Dyer, as he is lovingly known, is considered one of the sixteen founders of the state of Colorado.

 

 

Father Dyer is called the Snow-Ski Preacher.  In winters, he traveled from mining camp to mining camp on his twelve-foot-long skis so he could preach. 

 

 

Although it has been added to and changed over the years, the Father Dyer Church is still an active Methodist church.  People were cleaning and getting ready for Sunday services while we were there.

 

Thank you for joining me on this Walking Wednesday!  You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.