Wednesday NEAR Wyoming - November 29, 2023

 

Would you want to live in a sod house? While I appreciate the early settlers' ingenuity in creating homes on the treeless prairie, I shuddered when I read about some of the disadvantages of sod houses ... including snakes falling from the ceiling.

If you don't believe me, here's a post entitled Snakes on the Dinner Table.

The sod house is only one of a number of historical buildings in the Old Town Museum in Burlington, Colorado. Burlington is also home to the Kit Carson County Carousel which is well worth visiting. Beware, though. This carousel revolves faster than most and might make you just a little bit dizzy by the end of the ride.

I hope you've enjoyed this month's posts featuring sites in Colorado. Next month we'll return to Wyoming. 

Wednesday NEAR Wyoming - November 22, 2023

 

Small but beautiful, that's St. Catherine's Chapel on the Rock, located near Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition to being a tourist attraction, it's also the site of weekly Masses and weddings (if you plan enough in advance).

For more information, you might enjoy this post.

Wednesday NEAR Wyoming - November 15, 2023

 

Why would anyone want a plain barn side when they could have one like this?

I found this one in Montrose, Colorado, gateway to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The drive to the canyon's floor is not for the faint of heart, but the views are worth the hairpin turns. 

And, as Montrose's web site points out, the Black Canyon is only one of the attractions in that part of Colorado. If you're planning a trip to Colorado, you might want to include Montrose in your itinerary.

Wednesday NEAR Wyoming - November 8, 2023

 

Would you expect to find this quintessential sculpture of a cowboy outside a greeting card company's factory? For many years, this and many other pieces of western art were displayed in at the Leanin' Tree company headquarters. Sadly, the art collection is no longer there. After more than forty years, the art was sold at auction.

Still, if you're ever in the Boulder, Colorado, area, I suggest you visit Leanin' Tree. Even without the art as an added attraction, it's a fun place to go if you enjoy greeting cards. 

For more information click here.

It's Cover Reveal Time!

 One of my favorite parts of the whole publishing process is being able to share cover art with you, and so without further ado, here's the cover for Into the Starlight, the third Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing book.

What do you think? I'm delighted with it.

And, if you're curious about the storyline (you are, aren't you?), here's part of the official press release.

Joanna Vaughn has spent more than a year in Europe trying to fulfill her goal of becoming a concert pianist. With the tragic loss of her husband, her dreams are dashed and she returns home to Sweetwater Crossing. Her childhood house is there to greet her upon her return, but she’s changed so much that it no longer feels like home.

Dr. Burke Finley is desperately searching for a fresh start after his fiancée married his business partner and they both blamed him for a patient’s death. He finds a reprieve when he accompanies his uncle’s fiancée, Della Samuels, to Sweetwater Crossing. But his quick trip turns into an extended stay when he is caught up in an investigation over his uncle’s untimely passing. At least he is able to spend time with the lovely Joanna

Burke and Joanna join forces to help Della find the truth behind her fiancé’s death. But the more time they spend together on the case, the greater their attraction grows. Both have baggage from their past that could impede any future romance. Only if they overcome their trauma can they have their happily-ever-after.

Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle.

Into the Starlight will be released on July 16 next year and is now available for preorder at most of the online retailers.

Wednesday NEAR Wyoming - November 1, 2023

 

Did you notice that the title of this blog is Wednesday NEAR Wyoming rather than Wednesday IN Wyoming? That's because this month I'm going to highlight places south of the border ... that is south of the state line. In other words, this month's posts are from Colorado.

Isn't this building beautiful? You'll find it in Central City, Colorado, a town that was once described as "the richest square mile on earth" because of all the gold that was being mined near it.

A town with that much wealth deserves an opera house, doesn't it? The miners thought so. Built in 1878, the opera house is still home to an opera company. In fact, the Central City Opera is the nation's fifth-oldest opera company. How's that for history?

If you'd like more details, here's a link.