Westcliffe, Colorado Family Trip<br>Public Sun Viewing, Railroad Museum and Public Star Party<br>July 26-28, 2024

Westcliffe, Colorado Family Trip
Public Sun Viewing, Railroad Museum and Public Star Party
July 26-28, 2024

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Introduction

We thought it would be a fun weekend if the 5 of us took a 1.5 hour ride to Westcliffe, Cplorado, a Dark Sky Community, nestled in the valley between the Wet Mountains to the East and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the West.. It would be our first trip with our new Leaf Electric Car. We stayed in a VRBO which was located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains surrounded by trees. It was quite large which made it comfortable for all of us. The main reason for this trip was to attend the public viewing of the Sun on Saturday and that evening attend the public star party both held by the Astronomy Club in Westcliffe. Viewing the sun was amazing. We got to see explosions that were happening, sun spots, and Solar Flares. To our delight they were set up not only for adults but children as well. Holt loved it.

Joe and I have visited this community several times, while this was Amanda, Joe A. and Holt's first visit. So, we decided to spend some time in the quaint town of WestCliffe checking out the unique stores. There was the "All Aboard Westcliffe" Railroad Museum where the 5 of us got a personal informative lecture on the history of trains in that part of Colorado and the history of the town. To our amazement, Holt was quite the listener through it all. We then went next door to see the many model train sets that were running in the basement. That, of course, caught Holt's attention as they were huge and so well done. The night viewing was a little disappointing because so many people showed up and maneuvering in the total darkness was not easy. However, we all did get to look at constellations and galaxies.

Upon getting back to the VRBO we were astonished at the view of the night sky! It was here that Joe got photos of the Milky Way. We all agreed that it was a great weekend.

Also, be sure to view the >>> 10 VIDEOS <<<

Cathy & Joe R.

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Colorado Springs to Westcliffe

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#1 - 7/26/2024 - We arrive earlier in the day at the house rental in Westcliffe, Colorado, on the East hillside of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

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#4 - 7/26/2024 - The town of Westcliffe looking West to the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

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#8 - 7/26/2024 - One of the several bronze sculptures in downtown Westcliffe.

#9 - 7/26/20254 - What would become Holt's favorite store.

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#32 - 7/27/2024 - We visit the "All Aboard Westcliffe" raillroad museum in downtown Westcliffe.

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#34 - 7/27/2024 - This is what the building looked like before they restored it.

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#39 - 7/27/2024 - Nextdoor to the "All Aboard Westcliffe" main building is a club constructed replica of a railroad depot. In the basement are many magnificent model railroad layouts.

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#49 - 7/27/2024 - All the other layouts are either O Scale (1:48) or HO Scale (1:87), but this small example is N Scale (1:160). Joe A. and I built a large N Scale layout in the basement of our home in Liverpool, NY in the 1990s.

#50 - 7/27/2024 - As we walked through town later in the evening, we found this historical building.

#51 - 7/27/2024 - Amanda and Holt feeling pretty sad in jail.

#52 - 7/28/2024 - The last morning, as Joe A. and Amanda went hiking, Cathy and Holt played card games on the deck of our rental house.

#53 - 7/28/2024 - The last morning, as Joe A. and Amanda went hiking, Cathy and Holt played card games on the deck of our rental house.

#54 - 7/28/2024 - That night from the very same deck, it was a clear night and I took photos of the Milky Way with our iPhone 14 Pro Max.

#55 - 7/28/2024 - That night from the very same deck, it was a clear night and I took photos of the Milky Way with our iPhone 14 Pro Max.

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