Maybe it's more years on life's odometer. Maybe a look back helps me face forward. Awwww, maybe it's just kinda nice
taking the big twin down alongside a scenic, lonely, and wild river, one a train used to take visitors to over 100
years ago.

Perhaps old images can be found, and we stand near where the photographer stood. Explore some. Find the spot. Frame the image. Examine change. Be whimsical then live with gusto.

A ten mile, 106 year ride report. Many images loading below, showing then and now.

A brief 2:30sec ride video here: Along a River - Streaming Video
with a two minute Doobie Brothers instrumental "Flying Cloud" accompanying. But the images below are the tale.

Map of the journey, SW of Denver...


First stop is at the town Pine, historical name is Pine Grove. In 1900 it was a popular narrow gauge train stop with
travelers from Denver enjoying a day or days in the mountains...


And today. More trees is one change. Local residents not cutting them down to build structures...


Continuing to the small town of Buffalo Creek, a nice road to get there...


And turning around, the old train bridge crossing the river. Can see the old grade...


First of two old 1900 images of Buffalo Creek...


And today. Interesting cloud...


This is where we will be heading towards, the rocks and river in the distance...


The same structures remaining today, including a Catholic church, the old Buffalo Creek train depot, and a home...


Had to do a little 700lb dirt biking to get to the place above...


OK, this is where the onboard video above starts, at the old Buffalo Creek train depot. Used to be a town around this
place, but a fire in one structure quickly spread to all the other tightly packed structures and the town literally
went up in smoke. With wood heat in the winter, wood structures, adjoining walls... this is how many small towns met
their fate. Wonder how many business and home owners felt like reaching for the Colt 45 when their neighbor let loose
a fire...


First stop in the river canyon is the resort cabin community of Ferndale. A half dozen cabins for rent in the trees on
the hillside on the right. This is before cars. Yesterday it was the train...


Today it is the big twin...


One would have to cross the walk/swinging bridge to get across the river in 1900...


Same is true today, but the bridge you see here was rebuilt ten years ago when a flash flood blasted the previous one
away...


Let's turn back the clock and visit the cabins and people of 1900...






Gather your friends and family for a picture...


In front of one of the cabins...


And today. Dif

 

thanks for posting that here. I'm sure many will enjoy it, I did.

 

That was very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

That was incredibly cool. Amazing how much the landscape changes over the years. And doesn't as well. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Job well done
Thanks
chappy

 

Thanks.
I do not know what more to say...
Bernt

 

Thought about noting this would be redundant for you in the post, but oh well .

So, how was your ride to Yellowstone? You know, I've been many places but never to Yellowstone!!!

Steve

 

Thanks and yes! I find equally amazing the change over 100 years. And often, the lack of change... like rocks. Looking at the people 100 years ago causes me to reflect, and more than just casually.

 

That was incredibly! Thanks for sharing.

 

Steve,
trip went well. Saw the Flaming Gorge, Tetons, Yellowstone(several days, still not enough time) made it up to Flathead lake in Montana. went back thru the park and over Beartooth pass on the way back. Stayed on two lanes as much as possible. Got damp a couple of times, but never wet, always managed to skirt the heavy parts of the storms. many many sights to see. You should fit it into your plans someday. Everybody always had to stop,form a crowd and take pictures of the elk, sure did look at us funny when we would point and use the word "freezer" in our conversation. had to wait for a group of bison to cross the road once, huge animals. If this work thing didn't get in the way would go back that way in a heartbeat.

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