For the 24th holiday we (I) packed our bags with Sweatshirts, gloves, beanies, Thermals, UnderArmour, Helmets and rainGear and OFF we went. Are wondering where the HECK we went to need all that WiNter gear? Well... we went to the most beautiful mountains in Silverton, CO. For those of you that have been there I am sure that you will agree with me. I will give you a little history about this little but Amazing dirt road town. It once was a HUGE Gold mining town. During the gold boom people flocked here to work in the mines that are scattered all across the mountain sides. The miners would live in buildings that they would build way up on the side of mountain at 13,000 feet up. They would build these so when the miners where done working for the day they would get on a makeshift elevator that looks like a coffin and ride it from the work site inside the mountain to there bed basically. It was a short but scary commute. LOL The Down town is filled with so much History. Almost all the old hotels/Bed and Breakfasts are still in operation and most are HAUNTED according to most employees. My mom took the boys into The Grand Imperial Hotel to be "Ghostbusters" , the legend says that a Dr. Luigie died in room 12 and refuses to leave. When he was alive he would sit and smoke in a this BIG green chair that they still have on the top floor. They say that almost every day that the hotel guests report the smell of smoke around that chair?????? The boys went to check it out but came up empty...DARN. Many guests have report seeing the Dr. all over the Hotel. Visiting Silverton is like going back in time. This is 1 of our FAVORITE places to vacation EVERY year. The Colorado Rockies are amazing, spectacular, majestic mountains. Every year we get rained or snowed on and we love it. The boys love putting on their rain gear and helmets and being able to ride in the Artic Cat with Grandma.