Some of my fondest short drive memories involve The Lariat Loop.
It’s located in the Denver, Colorado metro area. And it’s an easy 40 mile drive through some canyons and front range mountains. It’s the kind of drive you should check out all the points of interest along the way. If you did it that way, you could make a whole, fun day trip out of it. Maybe even two days.
From where Elgielene and I used to live it was easiest to start out in the little town of Morrison and head up Bear Creek Canyon. Side note: Morrison had one of our favorite breakfast places, The Blue Cow. Not sure if they’re still around. But they made crispy bacon. Winner! And Elgielene loved their “Morrison Scramble.”
Anyway…
In Morrison, you’re literally near the entrances to Red Rocks, one of the best places on earth to see a concert. You could check it out at the start of the loop in Morrison…or at the end…it’s your choice. Either way, it’s worth the stop.
OK, as long as you’re already in the (Lariat) loop, so to speak…
Head on up Bear Creek Canyon. And you’ll pass through Idlewild (a wide spot in the road). Be sure to look for the sayings on the sign outside the church on the right. And then it’s on to Kittredge. In Kittredge you might try another small eatery “From The Vine,” if they still exist. If they do, I recommend the blueberry pie. I like it cold.
Then, it’s just a hop and a skip to Evergreen. There’s a bunch of places to eat and recreate. Don’t miss out on the lake. It’s a postcard setting whether it’s summer or winter.
After you pass through Evergreen you wind on over to I-70. And you’ll drive on it for just a short couple of minutes to the Genesee exit. Go left, over the bridge over I-70. And follow the road until you see a sign for the Buffalo Bill museum. It’s a fun, souvenir shop. And you can see where Billy Cody and his wife were buried. Oh yeah…they have some tasty fudge, too. Or at least they did on our drives.
As you leave the museum, turn left and follow the winding road and signs. You’ll get a panoramic view of the whole Denver metro area along the way.
I always loved that easy, scenic drive through the mountains.
And when you wind on down Lookout Mountain, you get to my favorite spot in the loop. Golden. In fact, I call it the notch of the Lariat Loop. Whoever was in charge of maintaining Golden always did a bang up job. And there was plenty to see and do there. Not just the Coors tour.
OK, I’ve left a lot out. So, you gotta go get in the loop for yourself. It’s a fun drive. It’s close to the Denver area. And you can tell ’em Tony sent you.
And by the way, I brought it up is because it’s featured in one of the songs on my “Bedtime Buckaroos” western themed collection of lullaby songs for kids.
The Lariat Loop
Ridin’ on the stagecoach
Lookin’ out the window
Stoppin’ at the Red Rocks
Listen to the wind blow
Footprints on the hogback
Dinosaurs of old days
Pictures of the wild west
Buckaroos and old ways
On the Lariat Loop where the blue cows play
And the buffaloes smile for the cameras all day
Through the Golden skies where the eagles swoop
You’ll be dreamin’ tonight of the Lariat Loop.
Evergreen enchantment
Kayaks in a clear creek
Listen close and you might
Even hear the deer speak (chorus)
Get your boots and chaps and hat
Now’s the time to start…
Go lasso all the memories.
Corral them in your heart…(chorus) © 2012 TF
Get the Bedtime Buckaroos songbook, coloring and drawing book, and there’s a link to download all the songs, included: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/bedtime-buckaroos
Stay tuned,
